Bert I. Gordon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bert I. Gordon
Born	Bert Ira Gordon (1922-09-24)September 24, 1922 Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	March 8, 2023(2023-03-08) (aged 100) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Film director
Spouse(s)	Flora Lang ​ ​ (m. 1945; div. 1979)​ Eva Marklstorfer ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	4, including Susan

Bert Ira Gordon (September 24, 1922 – March 8, 2023) was an American filmmaker. He was also a special effects artist. He was famous for making science fiction and horror movies. These were often "B-movies," which means they were made with smaller budgets. Some of his well-known films include King Dinosaur (1955), The Amazing Colossal Man (1957), and Empire of the Ants (1977).

Most of Gordon's movies featured giant monsters. He used a special effect called rear-projection to make these creatures look huge. Because of his initials and his big monsters, he was nicknamed "Mr. B.I.G." by a writer named Forrest J Ackerman.

Bert I. Gordon's Filmmaking Journey

Bert Gordon was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on September 24, 1922. He started making home movies when he was 13 years old. His aunt gave him a camera, and he loved using it. Later, he joined the Army Air Forces during World War II.

After the war, Bert Gordon got married. He and his wife began creating television commercials. He also worked on editing British movies for TV. He even worked as a camera man for a film called Serpent Island in 1954.

Early Films and Giant Creatures

In 1955, Gordon made his first full-length movie, King Dinosaur. This was followed by The Cyclops in 1957. In the same year, he started working with American International Pictures. This company helped distribute many of his films.

His first movie with them was The Amazing Colossal Man. This film was so popular it got a sequel in 1958, called War of the Colossal Beast. Other movies he made around this time included Earth vs the Spider and Beginning of the End. These films often featured giant insects or people.

Later Work and Family Connections

After making Tormented in 1960, Gordon wrote, produced, and directed The Boy and the Pirates. This movie starred a popular child actor, Charles Herbert. It also featured Gordon's own daughter, Susan Gordon.

Bert Gordon earned a degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 2012, he hosted a special showing of The Amazing Colossal Man in Dallas, Texas.

Bert I. Gordon's Family Life

Bert Gordon was married twice. His first marriage was to Flora Lang from 1945 to 1979. They had three daughters: Susan, Carol, and Patricia. Susan passed away before her parents. Bert had a fourth daughter, Christina, with his second wife, Eva.

Bert Gordon passed away in Los Angeles on March 8, 2023. He was 100 years old.

Bert I. Gordon's Filmography

Here is a list of movies Bert I. Gordon directed or produced:

Bert I. Gordon's Legacy

Many of Bert Gordon's films became famous in a different way. Shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Rifftrax would feature his movies. These shows would add funny comments and jokes over the films. This introduced his work to new generations of viewers.

See also

• Ed Wood
• Coleman Francis
• Roger Corman