Eyes of Laura Mars

Lore & Background

The film's source story was written by John Carpenter as a 10-page treatment titled Eyes. Producer Jack H. Harris optioned it, but Jon Peters bought it as a vehicle for Barbra Streisand. Streisand declined due to the story's kinky nature, and Faye Dunaway took the role. The screenplay was rewritten by David Zelag Goodman, a process Carpenter described as unpleasant. Filming took place over 56 days in New York and New Jersey, with additional shooting in other locations. The soundtrack features Streisand's song 'Prisoner,' which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, though it was not included on the original soundtrack LP. Photographer Helmut Newton provided the images for Laura Mars' portfolio.

Reader's Guide

Eyes of Laura Mars is noted by some critics and film scholars as an American version of the Italian giallo with elements of the slasher film. It has developed a cult following. The film received mixed critical reviews upon release; Janet Maslin praised its cleverness and casting, while Roger Ebert criticized its clichéd plot. Pauline Kael suggested negative reviews stemmed from the film being an effective thriller that frightened audiences. The film grossed $20 million domestically, making it a box-office success. Its legacy includes being John Carpenter's first major studio film and a notable entry in the supernatural horror genre.

Did You Know?

• The film was based on a spec script titled Eyes by John Carpenter, his first major studio film.
• Barbra Streisand declined the lead role due to 'the kinky nature of the story' but recorded the song 'Prisoner' for the soundtrack.
• Photographer Helmut Newton was commissioned to provide the images for Laura Mars' portfolio.
• The film was shot in New York and New Jersey over 56 days, with additional shooting in other locations.

Development & the Streisand Connection

The film's origins trace back to a spec script called Eyes, penned by John Carpenter, marking his first major studio project. Producer Jack H. Harris, who had collaborated with Carpenter on Dark Star, optioned the 11-page treatment and initially envisioned an independent production with Roberta Collins leading the cast. However, Harris's friend Jon Peters—then dating Barbra Streisand—read the material and immediately saw it as a perfect vehicle for his girlfriend. Peters secured development financing through Peter Guber at Columbia Pictures. Streisand ultimately declined the role, citing what Peters later described as the kinky nature of the story. With the studio still committed to the project, Faye Dunaway—fresh off her Oscar win for Network—stepped into the lead. Columbia made the casting contingent on a script rewrite, bringing in David Zelag Goodman. Carpenter, who felt the original screenplay was strong, recalled the rewrites as an unpleasant experience, saying his work got shat upon.

Narrative & the Giallo Influence

At its core, the film follows Laura Mars, a glamorous New York fashion photographer whose work features stylized violence and draws criticism from feminists and the press. The night before her book The Eyes of Mars launches, she experiences a disturbing first-person vision of a woman being attacked in her apartment. The next day, her photo editor Doris is found dead with her eyes gouged out. As Laura continues to witness serial murders from the killer's perspective—stabbings, stalkings, brutal killings of her models—she becomes entangled with detective John Neville, who is investigating the case. The narrative weaves together elements of the Italian giallo and the emerging slasher genre, building toward a twist that reframes the entire investigation and the identity of the killer. Critics and film scholars have frequently identified the movie as a distinctly American take on the European giallo tradition, blending psychological thriller with supernatural horror in a way that felt fresh for its era.

Production & Creative Details

Principal photography spanned 56 days, running from mid-October 1977 into early January 1978, with all shooting taking place across New York and New Jersey. The production made a striking creative choice by commissioning photographer Helmut Newton to supply the images that represent Laura Mars's portfolio within the film, lending an authentic, high-fashion visual texture to the character's world. On the musical front, the film's torch song "Prisoner" became an unexpected crossover hit: Barbra Streisand, though she had passed on the acting role, felt the track would suit her voice and recorded it for the soundtrack, where it climbed to number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on August 2, 1978, and H. B. Gilmour later expanded the story into a novelization, extending the narrative well beyond the screen.

Legacy & Cult Status

Eyes of Laura Mars proved to be a solid commercial success, grossing twenty million dollars at the domestic box office upon its August 1978 release. Beyond its financial performance, the film carved out a distinctive niche in American cinema. Film scholars and critics have frequently identified it as an American counterpart to the Italian giallo, noting its blend of stylized violence, psychological suspense, and supernatural elements alongside the conventions of the slasher genre that was emerging in the late 1970s. Over the decades, the movie has cultivated a devoted cult following, appreciated for its atmospheric New York setting, its bold female lead, and its twist-driven narrative. For John Carpenter, the project represented a significant milestone as his first major studio film, even though he expressed frustration with the script revisions. The film endures as a notable entry at the intersection of horror, thriller, and fashion-culture storytelling.

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