Blood, beasts and bikers: Where to watch movies made by 'B-Movie King' Roger Corman

Why would the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Scientists give an honorary Oscar to Roger Corman, the director of such movies as "Teenage Caveman" and "She Gods of Shark Reef"? Because without that director, it's very possible that blockbusters like "Avatar," "The Godfather" and "The Silence of the Lambs" might not exist.

The makers of those box office hits all got their start working for Corman, who passed away on May 9 at 98 years old.

As a titan and pioneer of independent cinema, Corman was the first producer to hire folks like James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme and others to direct low-budget movies for his company, American International Pictures. He was also the person responsible for introducing U.S. audiences to films by such international auteurs as Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa and François Truffaut.

In theme, spirit or inspiration, just about any movie made today has benefited from the hundreds of titles Corman produced during his lifetime. For those looking to become familiar with Corman's vast filmography, the Banner-Herald has put together a list of five of his best movies and where they can be viewed. Please note that each film is intended for audiences age 17 or older.

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'A Bucket of Blood' (1959)

This early directorial effort from Corman stars reliable character actor Dick Miller as Walter Paisley, a coffeeshop worker who unwittingly becomes a serial killer and hides his victims in clay sculptures, making him a hit on the local art scene. If not obvious by the description, "A Bucket of Blood" is a comedy, and can be watched for free on YouTube, Prime Video, Tubi and several other streaming services.

'The Tomb of Ligeia' (1964)

By the time Corman made "The Tomb of Ligeia," he and horror legend Vincent Price had already brought several of author Edgar Allan Poe's stories to the big screen, and they had the process down to a science. Price is in top form as a widower who comes to suspect that his deceased wife's spirit possesses the body of their cat, who really dislikes his new girlfriend. Available on YouTube, Amazon, and Roku Channel.

'The Wild Angels' (1966)

If you're going to watch one biker movie, it should probably be "Easy Rider," but that game-changing indie classic likely wouldn't have gotten made without Corman, who gave stars Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson their start. Alongside Bruce Dern, Nancy Sinatra and Diane Ladd, Fonda stars as a motorcycle club leader whose buddies are about as rowdy and disgusting as they come. Available on YouTube, Prime Video, and Roku Channel.

'The Arena' (1974)

Winston-Salem, North Carolina native Pam Grier was working as a switchboard operator at Corman's company when she was cast in three women-in-prison films in the span of two years before launching into superstardom with roles in "Coffy" and "Foxy Brown." For "The Arena," Grier traveled to Italy with her "Black Mama, White Mama" co-star Margaret Markov to kick butt in ancient Rome. Available on Tubi, PlutoTV and The Roku Channel.

'Slumber Party Massacre II' (1987)

In addition to starting the careers of folks like Cameron and Coppola, Corman was known for hiring women filmmakers in a time when such positions were typically given to men. The "Slumber Party Massacre" films were all written and directed by women, and Part II was helmed by Deborah Brock, who crafted this gory comedy about a group of high school seniors terrorized by a guitar-wielding maniac. Available on Tubi, Prime Video and more.

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Five movies by indie film pioneer Roger Corman