The Filmgroup
The Filmgroup was a production and distribution company founded by filmmakers Roger Corman and Gene Corman in 1959. Corman used it to make and distribute his own movies, as opposed to ones he was making for American International Pictures. The company ultimately folded, however, lessons from running the company helped Corman make a success later of New World Pictures. Filmgroup also produced early feature work of Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich, Charles B. Griffith, Curtis Harrington, Jack Hill, Monte Hellman, Robert Towne and Jack Nicholson.
History
Corman established his own company, Palo Alto Productions, in 1954, which was responsible for his first two movies. Filmgroup came out of a desire for Corman to move into distribution.
In February 1959 Filmgroup announced they would release ten films. Their first movies were High School Big Shot and T-Bird Gang produced by Stanley Bickman. Corman would also buy films made by independent distributors, in addition to several films from the Soviet Union, which he would re-dub and have additional scenes shot and added to.
Gene Corman left the company in 1963 to join 20th Century-Fox and Corman handed over distribution of his films to American International Pictures. The company soon wound up.
Because Roger Corman often neglected to copyright his movies, most of these films are in the public domain.
Filmography
High School Big Shot – directed by Joel RappT-Bird Gang – directed by Richard HarbingerBeast from Haunted Cave – written by Charles B. Griffith, produced by Gene Corman, directed by Monte HellmanThe Wasp Woman – directed by Roger CormanThe Girl in Lovers Lane – directed by Charles R. RondeauBattle of Blood Island – directed by Joel Rapp. First film adaption of a book by Philip Roth.Ski Troop Attack – written by Charles B. Griffith directed by Roger CormanThe Wild Ride – starring Jack NicholsonLast Woman on Earth – written by Robert Towne, directed by Roger CormanThe Little Shop of Horrors – written by Charles B. Griffith directed by Roger CormanDate Bait – directed by O'Dale IrelandHigh School Caesar – starring John AshleyAtlas – written by Charles B. Griffith directed by Roger CormanCreature from the Haunted Sea – written by Charles B. Griffith directed by Roger CormanDevil's Partner – a pick up, originally made in 1958Pirate of the Black Hawk – directed by Sergio GriecoThe Magic Voyage of Sinbad – acquired from the Soviet company MosfilmThe Intruder – produced by Gene Corman, directed by Roger CormanMermaids of Tiburon – acquired from Pacific ProductionsBattle Beyond the Sun – US sequences directed by Francis Ford CoppolaNight Tide – directed by Curtis HarringtonThe Terror – directed by Roger CormanDementia 13 – directed by Francis Ford CoppolaVoyage to the Prehistoric Planet – US sequences directed by Curtis HarringtonQueen of Blood – directed by Curtis HarringtonVoyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women – US sequences directed by Peter Bogdanovich
Unmade Films
The following films were among those which Corman announced would be produced by Filmgroup but which were never made:Cop Killer and Sob Sisters Don't Cry – based on original scripts by Malden HarmsWedding Night – from script by Robert RoarkI Flew a Spy Plane Over Russia – based on a script by Robert TowneMurder at the Convention – a political mystery satire from a script by Arthur Sandys starring Dick Miller and Jonathan HazePan and the SatyrsThe Man Who Sold the Earth Women in War Haunted Dream Juliet The Story of Robert E. Lee by Robert AdamsFun and Profit by Joel Rapp and Sam LockeThe Wild Surfers by John Lamb