Roger Corman, the movie king best known for directing and producing hundreds of low-budget films and discovering future film stars such as Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, has died at the age of 98. Korman is dead. May 9 in Santa Monica, California, at her home, surrounded by her family, ensuring diversity on behalf of the family.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, capturing the spirit of an era. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, that’s why,'” the family said.
Roger Corman’s vast domain, evidenced by such diverse entities as New World Pictures and Concord/New Horizons, has prospered with a busy activity comparable to that of the major studios, boasting consistent profitability. Horror, action, science fiction, and even family-based themes had their place in the wide-ranging fast-paced, low-budget family film productions. His company served as a fertile training ground for a remarkable diversity of talent, ranging from actors such as Nicholson (“Little Shop of Horrors”-এ) and De. Niro(“Boxcar Bertha”) to directors such as Francis Ford Coppola. Dimetia 13″)
In November 2009, when Roger Corman received an award at AMPAS’s inaugural Governor’s Awards ceremony, Ron Howard praised her for her practice of appointing women to notable executive and creative positions and providing them with ample opportunities. Walter Moscello noted Corman’s inclusive approach, describing his studio as “one of the few open doors” that crossed age, race and gender barriers.
Corman once praised film as “the only truly modern art form”, acknowledging the perpetual negotiation between artistic vision and commercial demands due to the need to compensate cast and crew. Howard humorously described the experience of directing his first film, “Eat My Dust”, in which he lamented to Corman about the limited budget and sparse extras for a crowd scene. Korman’s response? “If you succeed in this film, you won’t have to do any more work for me!”
“Thank you, movie lovers, planet Earth,” Quyen Tarantino acknowledged, raising his glass to him. Jonathan Demme praised his acting skills, commenting that Corman provided “extraordinary value”. In various collaborations with Demme, Corman insisted that the actors in the more than 50 films he directed receive the same compensation: Scales plus 10%.
For over fifty years, he dominated the B-movie market, which had largely waned in the television era, and single-handedly kept it afloat (along with American Intel Pictures’ Sam Ruff, who supported most of Corman’s early directing and production efforts). Even in his 90s, he continues to produce $5 million and low-budget bi-movies, and distribute them for video and television broadcasts.
After retiring from directing in the late 1960s (only to return briefly with “Frankenstein Unbound” in the mid-1980s), he founded New World Pictures. The company not only distributed foreign art films—such as Ingmar Bergman’s “Crisis and Whispers”—but also pioneered effective marketing and distribution strategies for such highbrow films.
Born in Detroit, Korman moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1940. He attended Beverly Hills High School before attending Stanford University, where he studied engineering. Corman admitted to being attracted to films since moving to California, once saying, “Where I grew up, I couldn’t not be interested in films.”
This paragraph discusses the career of Razor Corman, a notable figure in the film industry. Corman, after serving in World War II and briefly attending Stanford and Oxford, initially struggled to establish himself in the film business. However, with strong determination and low-budget filmmaking skills, he found success in producing and directing several films, often in collaboration with American International Pictures (AIP). Corman’s early work spanned a variety of genres, including Western, horror, science fiction, and teen film, earning him recognition as a post-movie pioneer and hero of the drive-in theater.
Despite facing initial critical indifference, Corman’s success came with films such as “शेषिन गान केली” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. He then convinced AIP to finance more ambitious projects, notably a sequel to the works of Edgar Allan Poe, which would become cult classics and revitalize the careers of veteran actors such as Boris Karloff and Vincent Price.
Corman was instrumental in launching the careers of many Hollywood talents, including actors such as Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, and Ellen Burstyn, as well as directors such as Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, and Joe Dante.
A notable departure from his usual fare was “The Intruder”, a film addressing racism, which faced challenge due to its controversial subject matter and use of racial slurs. Despite positive reviews, it struggled with censorship and limited distribution. This experience led Corman to avoid future overtly political or personal films.
Overall, Corman’s legacy lies in his extensive output, his ability to nurture emerging talent, and his influence on independent filmmaking.
He was unhappy with the film “Big” for Columbia Pictures when the executives there tried to cut corners on his budget. Returning to American International Pictures (AIP), he produced “The Wild Angels”, a biker film starring Peter Ford, which cost $360,000 but grossed over $25 million. This success was followed by “The Trip”, LSD Exploration, and other hits aimed at younger audiences. However, his directing career began to wane during “Blonde Mama” in 1970 and he returned after “Bhan Ricthofen and Brown”.
In 1970, he founded New World Pictures to produce and distribute films similar to those previously bankrolled by AIP. The company was profitable by the end of its inaugural year, with releases such as “Women in Cages” and “Night Call Nurses”. Later, he produced films like “Piranha”, “Eat My Dust” and “Death Race 2000”.
His interest in art films originated with Bergman’s “Crisis and Huspars” in 1972, followed by “অটাম সোনাটা”, “The Story of Adele H,” “অমারিকর্দ” and “ফিট্জকারালো”. He innovated in their marketing and distribution, expanding screenings to various locations and introducing global cinema to audiences outside major cities.
By 1980, foreign films constituted one-fifth of New World’s $55 million annual revenue. He diversified into family films such as “A Hero and a Document” and high-budget projects such as the sci-fi film “Battle Between the Stars”. ,” cost $5 million. In 1983, he sold New World for $16.5 million and started Concord/New Horizons. Corman continued to nurture new talent such as director Lewis Loeser and boasted a string of 40 profitable films through 1989.
Although profits did not match AIP’s peak—or the initial New World Day—due to market changes, Korman tapped into the growing overseas market, which eventually accounted for half or more of his business. The rise of the home video market was timely for him, with new productions aimed at this medium as well as making use of his extensive back catalogue.
In 1990, Corman returned to directing with “Frankenstein Unbound”, his first directing effort in two decades, although it did not resonate strongly with genre fans. Nevertheless, his strategy for publishing high-volume home videos has proven financially profitable. He renamed his business New Concord in 2000 and formed New Concord Home Entertainment.
Corman’s 1955 film “The Fast and the Furious” provided the title for a successful franchise produced by Neil Smith in 2001. Moritz acquired the rights to the name in exchange for stock footage. Additionally, Corman found outlets for his films in Showtime and the Sci Fi Channel (now Syfy). CNH produced a series for the cable network called “Razar Corman Presents” featuring science fiction, horror and fantasy films. Syfy television films included “Dinoshark,” “Dinocroc vs. Supergator,” and “Sharktopus.”
In 2005, Concorde signed a 12-year deal with Disney Home Entertainment, giving it distribution rights to over 400 films created by Roger Corman. Later, in 2010, Corman signed a deal with Shout Factory, giving them exclusive North American home video rights to 50 of the films. Together, they launched a home entertainment series called “Roger Corman’s Cult Classics,” with initial titles including “Piranha,” “Humanoids From the Deep,” “Up From the Depths,” and “Demon of Paradise.”
In 1990, Corman published his memoir titled “Maverick: How I made 200 Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime”. He was known for playing cameo characters in the films of successful filmmakers who started their careers with him, such as Demme in “Philadelphia”, Howard in “Apollo 13”, Polar in “The Father: Part II”, and Dante in “Looney Tunes: Back in Action”. . ,
In 1998, Roger Corman won the inaugural Producer’s Award presented by the Cannes Film Festival. In 2006, he was honored with the David Selznick Award from the Producers Guild of America. Additionally, his film “Fall of the House of Usher” was selected for the National Film Registry in the same year, in recognition of its cultural significance for preservation by the Library of Congress.
Alex Stapleton’s 2011 feature documentary “Roger Carman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel” discussed the filmmaker’s career. Last year, Corman was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with its Distinguished Storytelling Award, in recognition of his significant contributions to the film industry.
Roger Corman is survived by his wife, producer Julie Corman, and daughters, Katherine and Mary.By 1980, foreign films constituted one-fifth of New World’s $55 million annual revenue. He diversified into family films such as “A Hero and a Document” and high-budget projects such as the sci-fi film “Battle Between the Stars”. ,” cost $5 million. In 1983, he sold New World for $16.5 million and started Concord/New Horizons. Corman continued to nurture new talent such as director Lewis Loeser and boasted a string of 40 profitable films through 1989.
Alex Stapleton’s 2011 feature documentary “Carman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel” discussed the filmmaker’s career. Last year, Corman was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with its Distinguished Storytelling Award, in recognition of his significant contributions to the film industry.