If you don’t know the name Roger Corman, chances are you know well many of the names he helped get their start in Hollywood. Big time directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Jonathan Demme, James Cameron, Curtis Hanson, John Sayles, and many more owe a debt to Roger for his mentorship. Corman was also instrumental in launching the careers of actors and actresses like Jack Nicholson, William Shatner, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Talia Shire and Robert De Niro, to name a few. A writer, producer, and director, there are some who consider his work to be “schlock” or low-budget forgettable fare, but ask anyone in the business and they’ll tell you just how important this man has been to the entertainment industry. These days Corman produces SyFy Channel hits like SHARKTOPUS, and in the last year or so he’s teamed with Shout! Factory to release new DVD and Blu-ray editions under the name “Roger Corman’s Cult Classics.” These focus on the 1970’s and 80’s movies Roger produced through New World Pictures including ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL, DEATH RACE 2000, GALAXY OF TERROR, FORBIDDEN WORLD and PIRANHA – which recently saw a remake in PIRANHA 3D. Corman’s legacy is undeniable and absolutely important and influential. Earlier this year at Texas Frightmare Weekend, I had the pleasure of being (I believe) the only person to interview Roger Corman at the show, and I can honestly tell you he’s one of the nicest behind-the-scenes guys I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. If I seem giddy or nervous talking to him, it’s because I was – I interview actors and directors all the time, but there’s a few guys in the business I consider pioneers and heroes… Corman falls into that category. Check out the interview below, followed by the trailer for CORMAN’S WORLD.

For more info on Texas Frightmare Weekend check out their official website.

And here’s the trailer for CORMAN’S WORLD, the new documentary about Corman featuring interviews with many of the big name Hollywood actors and directors he influenced or helped get their start. In the trailer alone you’ll see Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Irvin Kershner, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Dick Smith, and more. I can’t wait for this, but then again I’ve always been a Corman fan, so this movie has me written all over it.

CORMAN’S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL is a tantalizing and star-studded tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the last 60 years. Featuring interviews with Hollywood icons and cinematic luminaries, some who launched their careers within Corman’s unforgettable world of filmmaking, including Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert De Niro, Peter Fonda, Pam Grier, Ron Howard, Eli Roth, Martin Scorsese, William Shatner and Jack Nicholson, along with many others, this documentary chronicles how Corman created his cult film empire, one low-budget success at a time, capitalizing on undiscovered talent, and pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking. Director Alex Stapleton weaves archival footage following Roger’s illustrious career: From his early days of genre-defining classics including the original Fast and Furious, the original Little Shop of Horrors, The Crybaby Killer, The Intruder, House of Usher, and The Wild Angels (which at that point in 1966 was his 100th film) – to present day video of him and his wife Julie on location, still at work as they continue to produce and distribute films outside the studio system: fast, cheap and out-of-this-world!

CORMAN’S WORLD hits select theaters December 2011

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