Samuel Z. Arkoff: FANEX Files - The Incredible Story of the Founder of American International Pictures

The FANEX film convention was held in Baltimore/Washington D.C. from 1984 through 2004. Over that time hundreds of actors and filmmakers from the world of classic horror films attended and spoke to their delighted star-struck fans. Samuel Z. Arkoff is the subject of this FANEX File, a documentary series focusing on the discussions and panels presented at the convention over the years. This talk was filmed at the FANEX Classic FilmFest in 2000 and was conducted by writer Tom Weaver. In addition to Mr. Arkoff, well known writers participated in the documentary as well as the king of the B's, Roger Corman.

Samuel Z. Arkoff, along with James Nicholson, founded the immensely successful American International Pictures. AIP discovered an untapped audience in the American teenager and proceeded to turn independent filmmaking on its head as they churned out drive-in double features overflowing with misunderstood teen heroes, horrific monsters, reform school girls, and leather-jacketed tough guys. Many titles were notable for their spectacular poster art, still highly sought by collectors today. Arkoff, with his unerring eye for talent, helped launch the careers of Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, Michael Landon and Dennis Hopper. Midnight Marquee, Longthrow and Alpha are proud to honor the legendary Samuel Z. Arkoff, a perfect subject for the FANEX Files documentary series.

• documentary