An incredibly energetic, optimistic and versatile director of character-driven films, Jonathan Demme emerged from the crucible of B-moviemaking at Roger Corman's New World Pictures in the early 1970s to become one of Hollywood's most critically admired filmmakers in the 80s and 90s. He cut his teeth on a few cheapie action pics like "Caged Heat" (1974) and "Crazy Mama" (1975) before Corman pushed him from the nest and subsequently enhanced his reputation as a chronicler of post-modern Americana with acclaimed features like "Handle With Care/Citizens Band" (1977) and "Melvin and Howard" (1980),