Bert I. Gordon: Difference between revisions

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Most of Gordon's work is in the idiom of giant monster films, for which he used [[Rear projection effect| rear-projection]] to create the special effects. His nickname "Mister B.I.G." is a reference both to his initials and to his prefered technique for making super-sized creatures.
Most of Gordon's work is in the idiom of giant monster films, for which he used [[Rear projection effect| rear-projection]] to create the special effects. His nickname "Mister B.I.G." is a reference both to his initials and to his prefered technique for making super-sized creatures.


Gordon began his career directing television commercials before moving to film in 1954 to produce ''[[Serpent Island]]''. In 1957 he began his prolific association with [[American International Pictures]].
Gordon began his career directing television commercials before moving to film in 1954 to produce ''Serpent Island''. In 1957 he began his prolific association with [[American International Pictures]].

In 1960, he wrote, produced and directed ''The Boy and the Pirates'', starring active and popular child star of the time [[Charles Herbert]] and Gordon's own daughter, Susan. Rarely seen, the film was rushed to [[DVD]] by [[Warner Home Video]], released on a double disc with ''Crystalstone'', June 27, 2006, due to the demand for "pirate movies" beacause of [[Walt Disney Company]]'s [[Buena Vista Pictures]] release of [[Johnny Depp]]'s [[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest]], on July 7, 2006.


None of his films has received significant critical attention, but his work has attained popularity in some circles. The [[cult television| cult TV]] show ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' (''MST3K'') has featured several of his movies, listed below.
None of his films has received significant critical attention, but his work has attained popularity in some circles. The [[cult television| cult TV]] show ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' (''MST3K'') has featured several of his movies, listed below.

Revision as of 16:03, 4 August 2006

File:Bert I. Gordon.jpg

Bert I. Gordon (born Bert Ira Gordon, September 24, 1922 in Kenosha, WI) is an American film director most famous for such sci-fi and horror B-movies as The Amazing Colossal Man and Village of the Giants.

Most of Gordon's work is in the idiom of giant monster films, for which he used rear-projection to create the special effects. His nickname "Mister B.I.G." is a reference both to his initials and to his prefered technique for making super-sized creatures.

Gordon began his career directing television commercials before moving to film in 1954 to produce Serpent Island. In 1957 he began his prolific association with American International Pictures.

In 1960, he wrote, produced and directed The Boy and the Pirates, starring active and popular child star of the time Charles Herbert and Gordon's own daughter, Susan. Rarely seen, the film was rushed to DVD by Warner Home Video, released on a double disc with Crystalstone, June 27, 2006, due to the demand for "pirate movies" beacause of Walt Disney Company's Buena Vista Pictures release of Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, on July 7, 2006.

None of his films has received significant critical attention, but his work has attained popularity in some circles. The cult TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) has featured several of his movies, listed below.

Gordon holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Filmography

Films he directed, according to imdb:

  1. King Dinosaur (1955)
  2. The Amazing Colossal Man (1957)
  3. The Cyclops (1957)
  4. Beginning of the End (1957)
  5. Earth vs the Spider (1958) aka Earth vs. the Giant Spider aka The Spider (USA: promotional title)
  6. War of the Colossal Beast (1958) aka Revenge of the Colossal Man aka The Terror Strikes
  7. Attack of the Puppet People (1958) aka Six Inches Tall (UK) aka The Fantastic Puppet People
  8. Tormented (1960)
  9. The Boy and the Pirates (1960), starring Charles Herbert and Gordon's daughter, Susan.
  10. The Magic Sword (1962) aka St. George and the Dragon aka St. George and the Seven Curses aka The Seven Curses of Lordac
  11. Village of the Giants (1965)
  12. Picture Mommy Dead (1966) aka Color Mommy Dead
  13. How to Succeed with Sex (1970)
  14. Necromancy(1972) aka A Life for a Life aka Rosemary's Disciples (USA: video title) aka The Toy Factory aka The Witching (USA: reissue title)
  15. The Mad Bomber (1973) aka Detective Geronimo, aka The Police Connection
  16. The Food of the Gods (1976) aka H.G. Wells' Food of the Gods
  17. Empire of the Ants (1977) aka H.G. Wells' Empire of the Ants (USA: complete title), starring Joan Collins.
  18. Burned at the Stake (1981) aka The Coming
  19. The Big Bet (1985)
  20. Let's Do It! (1982)
  21. Satan's Princess (1990) aka Malediction (UK: video title)

Of these titles, King Dinosaur, The Amazing Colossal Man, Earth Vs. The Spider, War of the Colossal Beast, The Magic Sword, Tormented, Beginning of the End and Village of the Giants were featured on MST3K.

External links