Monte Hellman (1929–2021), “Two-Lane Blacktop” director
Monte Hellman was a director whose cult classic films include “Two-Lane Blacktop.”Hellman’s directorial career began with the 1959 horror movie “Beast from Haunted Cave.” It was produced by Roger Corman and his brother, and the cult film legend helped launch Hellman’s career. Hellman went on to direct several films starring the up-and-coming Jack Nicholson, including “Flight to Fury” (1964) and “Ride in the Whirlwind” (1966), before creating the 1971 road movie “Two-Lane Blacktop.” Starring musicians James Taylor and Dennis Wilson (1944–1983), the movie followed young street racers across the U.S.