TCM To Pay Tribute to Film Director William Friedkin

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Network to air two-night tribute featuring Friedkin films ‘The Exorcist,’ ‘The French Connection’

Film director William Friedkin (Image credit: TCM)

TCM will celebrate the career of legendary film director William Friedkin with a two-night airing of the director’s most popular and successful films.

TCM will dedicate its September 14 and November 26 primetime lineups to movies directed by Friedkin, who died August 7 from heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 87. Friedkin won an Academy Award for best director for his 1971 film The French Connection and is also known for directing the iconic 1973 horror film The Exorcist.

TCM’s September 14 lineup will feature The French Connection, as well as Friedkin’s 1985 film To Live and Die in L.A. and his 1970’s feature The Boys in the Band.

On November 26, TCM will air its documentary Friedkin Uncut featuring an interview with the director, followed by The Exorcist, according to the network. 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.