film director/producer Roger Corman, nicknamed “King of the Bs” and “The Pope of Pop Culture,” whose career in Hollywood spanned eight decades, died May 11. He was 98.
Corman movies blended with MST3K’s tone perfectly, and episodes featuring his movies were among the best.
Corman produced and/or directed the movies in episodes 311- IT CONQUERED THE WORLD, 315- TEENAGE CAVEMAN, 317- VIKING WOMEN AND THE SEA SERPENT, 406- ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES, 503- SWAMP DIAMONDS, 511- GUNSLINGER, 618- HIGH SCHOOL BIG SHOT, 701- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST, 703- DEATHSTALKER AND THE WARRIORS FROM HELL, in 1104- AVALANCHE, 1203- LORDS OF THE DEEP, 806- THE UNDEAD, THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED (riffed by fans in Sci-fi Channel’s “MST3K: The Home Game”) and DEATHSTALKER II, featured in the 30th Anniversary Tour in 2018. He also appeared in an uncredited role as a corporate executive in the movie in 1203- episode LORDS OF THE DEEP.
The New York Times has a look back.
Thanks to Tim for the heads up.
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He filled the screens and he filled the seats. RIP
Legitimately one of the all-time legends. The man dedicated his life to the art of cinema. He was still doing production work into his 90s. A true hero of film.
RIP, Roger Corman.
he also got a lot of famous directors there start too….
RIP Roger Corman
The Great Master of the B-Movie. He made our childhood, introduced us to Edgar Allan Poe, and produced some of the most wonderful low-budget classic movies. And he discovered or developed some of the great actors, directors, writers, and producers. As another tribute to Corman noted, Roger Corman WAS film school – perhaps one of the great teachers of the movie making art.
Even if, per John Landis, his greatest advice was to sit down a lot on the set. :-)
Roger Corman will definitely be missed. There was never anyone like him, and probably never will ever be. Rest in Peace, Roger.
He produced the original Piranha and Death Race 2000. He was the master of making a little bit go a long way. We salute you good sir.
The NY Times obit is paywalled.
What a multifaceted career Roger Corman had.
He was a great in the industry.
He was a mainstay for we MSTies.
He leaves quite a legacy for us all.
Here’s a non-paywall obit courtesy of Variety.
https://variety.com/2024/film/news/roger-corman-dead-producer-independent-b-movie-1235999591/
Here’s a gift article for anyone without NYT access:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/12/movies/roger-corman-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.rk0.RbfA.o9UfYJe1J2dd&smid=url-share
He also produced Battle Beyond the Stars, which would have been riffed if Season 14 had met its crowd funding goal.
Also Deathsport.
Also Man with the X-Ray Eyes. A great film.