Roger Corman 100th Anniversary Tribute on TCM

TCM is part of my daily routine, and I love vintage movies. This April, TCM is showcasing an exceptional lineup of films directed by or influenced by Roger Corman. Corman played a key role in shaping the careers of Peter Bogdanovich, Joe Dante, and Ron Howard. The tribute features a mix of films he directed and early works from future legends like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Ron Howard, all of whom got their start in his famous “Corman Film School.”

A great starting point for understanding Corman’s career is the 2021 French documentary Roger Corman: The Pope of Pop Cinema. It sketches the defining contradictions of the ambitious young director who left the studios behind to create his own independent career.

Watching Corman’s films has made me appreciate some of his rarer works. One that stands out is Five Guns West (1955), a Civil War Western with a minimal cast, shot almost entirely on location outside Los Angeles. Corman later recalled, “With almost no training or preparation whatsoever, I was learning how to direct motion pictures on the job.” From there, his career took a bold new trajectory. It was Corman’s first film as director, although he had already made two as producer.

Disgruntled with the Hollywood system, Corman went independent to gain creative control, financial freedom, and to avoid studio interference. He left 20th Century Fox after being denied credit for his work.

This lineup is perfect for fans of cult classics, B-movies, and the directors Corman mentored. Whether you are discovering his films for the first time or revisiting the legends of his “Corman Film School,” TCM’s tribute offers a complete look at the legacy of Roger Corman, the true Pope of Pop Cinema.

Here is the complete schedule for the Roger Corman 100th Anniversary tribute on TCM. Get the popcorn and enjoy the wildest ride.

Friday, April 3: The Early Years & Cult Classics
8:00 PM – Roger Corman: The Pope of Pop Cinema (2021)

“Corman Film School” Directors Featured
Martin Scorsese (Boxcar Bertha)
Francis Ford Coppola (Dementia 13)
Ron Howard (Grand Theft Auto)
Joe Dante (Piranha, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School)
Peter Bogdanovich (Targets)
Jonathan Demme (Caged Heat)

Featured Actors & Collaborators
Bruce Dern, Jack Nicholson, Vincent Price, William Shatner, Shelley Winters, Dick Miller

TCM Hosts & Historians
Ben Mankiewicz, Leonard Maltin, Jessie Maltin

9:00 PM – A Bucket of Blood (1959)
10:15 PM – The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
11:30 PM – Teenage Doll (1957)
12:45 AM – Five Guns West (1955)
2:15 AM – The Beast with a Million Eyes (1955)

Friday, April 10: The Poe Cycle & Counterculture
8:00 PM – The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
9:45 PM – The Wild Angels (1966)
11:30 PM – The Trip (1967)
1:00 AM – Gas-s-s-s (1970)
3:15 AM – Bloody Mama (1970)

Friday, April 17: The “Corman Film School” Mentorship
8:00 PM – Dementia 13 (1963) – Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
9:30 PM – Boxcar Bertha (1972) – Directed by Martin Scorsese
11:15 PM – Targets (1968) – Directed by Peter Bogdanovich
1:00 AM – Caged Heat (1974) – Directed by Jonathan Demme
2:30 AM – Piranha (1978) – Directed by Joe Dante

Friday, April 24: New World Pictures & Later Gems
8:00 PM – Death Race 2000 (1975)
9:30 PM – Grand Theft Auto (1977) – Directed by Ron Howard
11:15 PM – Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979)
1:00 AM – Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
2:45 AM – Forbidden World (1982)