Remembering Hollywood icons: Roger Corman passes away at 98 and Susan Backlinie at 77
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In the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood, certain figures leave an indelible mark that resonates far beyond their time.
Their influence extends not just through the films they create or the roles they inhabit, but through the careers they launch and the boundaries they push.
With the recent passing of two such luminaries, the film industry mourns the loss of not only a pioneering filmmaker but also a trailblazing actress whose iconic portrayal defined a generation.
Roger Corman, the legendary filmmaker known as the ‘King of the Bs’, passed away at the age of 98.
Corman, who was behind such cult classics as Little Shop of Horrors and Attack of the Crab Monsters, died at his home in Santa Monica, California, according to his daughter Catherine Corman.
Catherine described her father as ‘generous, open-hearted, and kind to all those who knew him’.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Roger simply said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’
Since 1955, Corman had a profound impact on Hollywood, producing and directing hundreds of films, including Black Scorpion, Bucket of Blood, and Bloody Mama.
He had an uncanny eye for talent, launching the careers of aspiring filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, James Cameron, and Martin Scorsese. This resulted in him receiving an honorary Academy Award in 2009.
In a 2007 documentary discussing Val Lewton, the 1940s director of Cat People and other underground classics, Corman noted that ‘There are many constraints connected with working on a low budget, but at the same time there are certain opportunities.’
‘You can gamble a little bit more. You can experiment. You have to find a more creative way to solve a problem or to present a concept.’
His influence extended beyond launching careers; Corman’s films laid the groundwork for Hollywood’s golden age in the 1970s.
Jack Nicholson made his debut in The Cry Baby Killer, while Peter Fonda starred in The Wild Angels, foreshadowing his iconic role in Easy Rider.
Despite working with minuscule budgets and tight deadlines, Corman’s films often tackled taboo subjects like sex and drugs, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema.
His 1967 release, The Trip, written by Nicholson and starring Fonda and Dennis Hopper, was an explicit exploration of LSD.
In addition to his own productions, Corman brought prestigious foreign films to American audiences, including works by Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini, some of which won Oscars.
Corman’s career began humbly as a messenger boy for Twentieth Century Fox before he became a producer and director.
He maintained good relations with his directors, never firing one because, as he put it, ‘I wouldn’t want to inflict that humiliation.’
Although most of Corman’s films were quickly forgotten, some, like Little Shop of Horrors and his Edgar Allan Poe adaptations, achieved lasting fame. The Raven, starring Jack Nicholson alongside horror icons Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre, won critical acclaim.
Roger Corman’s legacy lives on not only in the films he made but also in the countless careers he launched and the innovative spirit he brought to independent cinema.
In another corner of Hollywood, actress and stuntwoman Susan Backlinie, famous for her role as the first shark attack victim in Jaws, also passed away at the age of 77.
Backlinie, who died from a heart attack at her home in Ventura, California, had a diverse career that included swimming, diving, and performing as a mermaid before transitioning to film.
Her iconic role in Jaws as Chrissie Watkins launched her into stardom. Backlinie spent three days rehearsing the harrowing opening scene, in which she is attacked by a great white shark.
After Jaws, Backlinie appeared in other films such as 1941 and The Great Muppet Caper, showcasing her versatility as an actress and stunt performer.
Before her Hollywood career, Backlinie was a state swimming champion and cheerleader in Florida. She later worked as a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs and an animal handler at Ivan Tors Studios in Miami before catching the attention of the Jaws production team.
Survived by her husband, Harvey Swindall, Backlinie will be remembered for her unforgettable contribution to cinema and her impact on generations of moviegoers.
Both Roger Corman and Susan Backlinie leave behind legacies that shaped Hollywood and inspired countless filmmakers and performers. Their contributions to the industry will be cherished for years to come.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Corman and Backlinie families and friends in this difficult time.
Have you seen any of Roger Corman's groundbreaking films or been thrilled by Susan Backlinie's performance in Jaws? Let us know in the comments below how these remarkable individuals have touched your lives or influenced your love of cinema.
Their influence extends not just through the films they create or the roles they inhabit, but through the careers they launch and the boundaries they push.
With the recent passing of two such luminaries, the film industry mourns the loss of not only a pioneering filmmaker but also a trailblazing actress whose iconic portrayal defined a generation.
Roger Corman, the legendary filmmaker known as the ‘King of the Bs’, passed away at the age of 98.
Corman, who was behind such cult classics as Little Shop of Horrors and Attack of the Crab Monsters, died at his home in Santa Monica, California, according to his daughter Catherine Corman.
Catherine described her father as ‘generous, open-hearted, and kind to all those who knew him’.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Roger simply said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.’
Roger Corman, the 'King of the Bs', passed away at 98, leaving a significant legacy in Hollywood by launching the careers of many iconic directors. Credits: Instagram / Roger Corman
Since 1955, Corman had a profound impact on Hollywood, producing and directing hundreds of films, including Black Scorpion, Bucket of Blood, and Bloody Mama.
He had an uncanny eye for talent, launching the careers of aspiring filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, James Cameron, and Martin Scorsese. This resulted in him receiving an honorary Academy Award in 2009.
In a 2007 documentary discussing Val Lewton, the 1940s director of Cat People and other underground classics, Corman noted that ‘There are many constraints connected with working on a low budget, but at the same time there are certain opportunities.’
‘You can gamble a little bit more. You can experiment. You have to find a more creative way to solve a problem or to present a concept.’
His influence extended beyond launching careers; Corman’s films laid the groundwork for Hollywood’s golden age in the 1970s.
Jack Nicholson made his debut in The Cry Baby Killer, while Peter Fonda starred in The Wild Angels, foreshadowing his iconic role in Easy Rider.
Despite working with minuscule budgets and tight deadlines, Corman’s films often tackled taboo subjects like sex and drugs, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema.
His 1967 release, The Trip, written by Nicholson and starring Fonda and Dennis Hopper, was an explicit exploration of LSD.
In addition to his own productions, Corman brought prestigious foreign films to American audiences, including works by Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini, some of which won Oscars.
Corman’s career began humbly as a messenger boy for Twentieth Century Fox before he became a producer and director.
He maintained good relations with his directors, never firing one because, as he put it, ‘I wouldn’t want to inflict that humiliation.’
Although most of Corman’s films were quickly forgotten, some, like Little Shop of Horrors and his Edgar Allan Poe adaptations, achieved lasting fame. The Raven, starring Jack Nicholson alongside horror icons Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre, won critical acclaim.
Roger Corman’s legacy lives on not only in the films he made but also in the countless careers he launched and the innovative spirit he brought to independent cinema.
In another corner of Hollywood, actress and stuntwoman Susan Backlinie, famous for her role as the first shark attack victim in Jaws, also passed away at the age of 77.
Backlinie, who died from a heart attack at her home in Ventura, California, had a diverse career that included swimming, diving, and performing as a mermaid before transitioning to film.
Her iconic role in Jaws as Chrissie Watkins launched her into stardom. Backlinie spent three days rehearsing the harrowing opening scene, in which she is attacked by a great white shark.
After Jaws, Backlinie appeared in other films such as 1941 and The Great Muppet Caper, showcasing her versatility as an actress and stunt performer.
Susan Backlinie, known for her role as the first shark attack victim in Jaws, died at 77. Credits: YouTube / Inside Edition
Before her Hollywood career, Backlinie was a state swimming champion and cheerleader in Florida. She later worked as a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs and an animal handler at Ivan Tors Studios in Miami before catching the attention of the Jaws production team.
Survived by her husband, Harvey Swindall, Backlinie will be remembered for her unforgettable contribution to cinema and her impact on generations of moviegoers.
Both Roger Corman and Susan Backlinie leave behind legacies that shaped Hollywood and inspired countless filmmakers and performers. Their contributions to the industry will be cherished for years to come.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Corman and Backlinie families and friends in this difficult time.
Have you seen any of Roger Corman's groundbreaking films or been thrilled by Susan Backlinie's performance in Jaws? Let us know in the comments below how these remarkable individuals have touched your lives or influenced your love of cinema.
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