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Writer's pictureFrank LaLoggia

AN ELEPHANT NEVER FORGETS: EPISODE 4: ROGER CORMAN

Updated: Aug 29, 2023

Lots of stories to tell regarding the journey that led to LADY IN WHITE: In 1976, I decided to enroll at USC for two semesters to take classes that interested me unrelated to cinema. One of the semesters was dedicated to a course called “The L.A. Semester”. One of my professors was DAVID RAKSIN, the renowned composer of LAURA and THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. David was passionately driven by the cultural wonders that Los Angeles had to offer. I'll never forget David's conducting a guided tour of THE BRADBURY BUILDING with us and exposing me to its architectural wonders.

Among the other professionals involved with the class was film Director TED POST (HANG 'EM HIGH, MAGNUM FORCE, GO TELL THE SPARTANS). Ted took a look at my short film, GABRIEL, and offered to try and give me a hand. I remember him asking me if I would like to be a DGA (DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA) trainee. He told me that he might be able to place me with a director of my choice on a current film project to help me gain some experience. When he asked which Director I would like to work with, my response was immediate: ARTHUR PENN. Arthur Penn had made a number of my favorite films during that era. Among them were THE MIRACLE WORKER, BONNIE & CLYDE and THE CHASE. Sadly, nothing ever came of his efforts in that regard but “The Semester” managed to get me an apprenticeship at Warner Brothers Television with editor KEN ZEMKE.


Ken was editing a television series called THE QUEST. It starred Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson. When I wasn't absorbing all that I could about the art of editing, I would wander around the Warner lot. One day, sneaking onto a soundstage to watch John Boorman directing EXORCIST II. The next, marveling at the exterior castle set from CAMELOT that was still sitting on the backlot at the time. Although Ted Post wasn't successful placing me as a DGA trainee, he sent GABRIEL to ROGER CORMAN and sang my praises to him. He excitedly called to tell me that Corman had seen the film and had agreed to take a meeting with me.

A date was arranged and I went to Corman's office at his NEW WORLD PICTURES. Corman had helped along guys like Coppola, Bogdanovich, Scorsese, Dante, etc. So, naturally, I was pretty excited. Upon being ushered into his office and introduced to him, he silently pointed me to a chair opposite his desk. I sat there and waited while he gazed at me coldly, not saying a word. So, I waited a little more. And a little more. And just a little bit more as the sounds of silence filled the room. Nothing. So, I got up...and left.

I'm still puzzled, to this day, as to what the hell that was all about. Why would this guy agree to a meeting with me only to coldly reject me without merit? Why waste his time and mine? Maybe he was having a bad day. Or maybe, in a sick and twisted way, he enjoyed this power play. Enjoyed it just for the sake of being able to

. AN ELEPHANT NEVER FORGETS...WHEN HE MEETS HIS VERY FIRST SOCIOPATH

Roger Corman
Roger Corman

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