Vane spent most of the 1960s and early 1970s in London, where he wrote and directed his first two films, "Conscience Bay" and "The Fledglings"; ran two nightclubs, including Esmeralda's Barn, which was eventually sold to the British gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray; and was a regular contributor to Penthouse Magazine.
In 1976, Vane wrote the screenplay and story for the film Shadow of the Hawk, starring Jan-Michael Vincent and Marilyn Hassett.
[7] Vane wrote, directed and produced the film Club Life, which starred Tony Curtis, Dee Wallace, and Michael Parks.
"[10] Vane's work on the film received a more critical reception from Ernest Tucker in the Chicago Sun-Times, writing, "'Club Life' is like watching Dante's Inferno written on an Etch-a-Sketch.
[13] It starred Tony Curtis, Rita Gam, Frank Gorshin, Wolfman Jack, Kathleen Kinmont, and Lynn Redgrave.
[15] In a review of the film for Daily Variety, critic Leonard Klady wrote, "Writer/director/producer Norman Thaddeus Vane encourages a shrill acting style reminiscent of 1950s expose features.