TCM Celebrates Texas, Honors Roger Corman’s 100th Birthday and Names Sophia Loren Star of the Month in April

Hollywood, CA – March 19, 2026 – Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate the state of Texas with a month-long tribute to the Lone Star State and its singular role as the setting for some of the greatest films ever made, commemorate the 100th birthday of legendary independent producer-director Roger Corman, and honor Academy Award® winner Sophia Loren as Star of the Month in April.

Headlining the month is Deep in the Heart of Texas, a Thursday night showcase honoring the state’s sweeping landscapes, independent spirit and larger-than-life mythology. The lineup features films that reflect Texas’ enduring impact on American cinema, including Giant (1956), The Last Picture Show (1971), No Country for Old Men (2007), Red River (1948), Hud (1963), Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and Paris, Texas (1984). The series also includes the TCM premiere of Slacker (1989), Richard Linklater’s groundbreaking indie portrait of Austin that helped define a new era of American independent filmmaking.

Friday nights will be devoted to Corman, the prolific filmmaker and producer whose fearless, low-budget approach helped shape independent film and launch the careers of some of Hollywood’s most important directors, including Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Peter Bogdanovich, among many others. TCM’s tribute highlights that extraordinary legacy with films from directors he championed, including Scorsese’s Boxcar Bertha (1972), Coppola’s Dementia 13 (1963) and Bogdanovich’s Targets (1968). The celebration also features a wide range of Corman’s own cult classics — from A Bucket of Blood (1959) and The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) to The Masque of the Red Death (1964) and The Wild Angels (1966) — underscoring his lasting influence on generations of filmmakers.

Also featured in April, TCM will honor Sophia Loren as Star of the Month. The tribute kicks off with a special presentation of Loren’s in-depth conversation from the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival, offering viewers a rare opportunity to hear the screen legend reflect on her life and career. One of the most internationally celebrated actresses in film history, Loren brought glamour, emotional depth and global appeal to a career spanning more than six decades. The spotlight will showcase key performances including Two Women (1960), for which she won an Academy Award®, Marriage Italian Style (1964), Houseboat (1958), Arabesque (1966) and A Special Day (1977).

Additionally, on April 7, film historians Leonard Maltin and Jessie Maltin will host a special evening tied to their new TCM Library release, Family Movie Night Menus, introducing a curated lineup of films that celebrate the enduring tradition of gathering around classic movies across generations.

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents classic films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting “Where Then Meets Now.” TCM features insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. With three decades as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed series like Two for One and Reframed, along with annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also directly connects with movie fans through popular events such as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise. In addition, TCM recently produced its sixth season of the wildly successful podcast “The Plot Thickens,” as well as “Talking Pictures with Ben Mankiewicz,” in partnership with HBO Max, currently in its third season. TCM hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a classic movie experience on the TCM hub on HBO Max.