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Bert I. Gordon, the American filmmaker whose low-budget creature features brought supersized monsters to drive-in cinema in the mid-20th century, died Wednesday in Los Angeles after collapsing in his Beverly Hills home. he was 100 years old.
Gordon’s death was confirmed to the New York Times by his daughter Patricia.
In Atomic Age America, Gordon’s sci-fi B-movie reveals the nation’s nuclear fears in a spectacular apocalyptic spectacle. In total, Gordon, who did most of the work under his two-week shooting schedule and could not change the maximum, produced more than 25 of his films in his 60-year career. I have directed and written. Success in Sex” (1970) and “The Empire of Ants” (1977). His films Necromancy (1972) and Food of the Gods (1976) starred Orson Welles and Ida Lupino respectively.
Like many cult filmmakers, Gordon’s work was met with mostly negative reviews and moderate commercial success before deeper critical acclaim emerged in the decades that followed.
Gordon is also a renowned visual effects artist, known for his technique of using rear projection to create giant rats, bugs, chickens and even teenagers.
Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on September 24, 1922, Gordon was gifted with a 16mm motion picture camera at an early age. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and dropping out to join the Army Air Corps during World War II, Gordon married Flora Lang. The two had three daughters, Patricia, Susan, and Carol, until their divorce in 1979.
After working as a production assistant on the CBS series Racket Squad in the 1950s, Gordon was the producer, cinematographer and editor of the series Serpent Island.
In 1980, Gordon married Eva Marie Markstorfer. They had a daughter, Christina.
Gordon also wrote a memoir published in 2010, The Incredible Giant World of Mr. BIG: An Autobiographical Journey.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Eva Marie. their daughter, Christina; and his daughters, Patricia and Carol. His daughter, Susan, died in 2011.
