RIP: Bert I. Gordon

Bert I. Gordon died on March 8, 2023 at the age of 100.  Mr. Gordon was a writer, director, producer, editor, special effects artist… perhaps it would be best to simply say, he was a filmmaker.

Bert I. Gordon had an interest in making films from an early age.  He received a 16mm camera for his thirteenth birthday and began making home/fan movie.  Mr. Gordon served in the air force during World War II.  After the war he began making television commercials and editing films for television.

In 1955, Mr. Gordon co-wrote and directed his first feature film, King Dinosaur.  He would go on to direct (and often serve as producer, special effects artist, writer/co-writer) on 23 additional films throughout his career.  Most of Mr. Gordon’s films were in the horror or science fiction genres.  Because his initials were BIG and many of his films dealt with giant monsters, Bert I. Gordon was nicknamed Mr. BIG.

Some of Bert I. Gordon’s best known films include: The Cyclops, The Amazing Colossal Man, Attack of the Puppet People, War of the Colossal Beast, The Spider, Village of the Giants, The Food of the Gods and The Empire of the Ants.

Bert I. Gordon’s films were and still are a staple of horror hosts and horror movie fans everywhere.  My favorite of his films is The Amazing Colossal Man. If you’re a regular viewer of Svengoolie on MeTV, you’ll see several of Mr. Gordon’s films each year.  What director wouldn’t love to have his movies in regular rotation?  What an honor that these low budget films still attract huge audiences.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bert I. Gordon’s family, friends and fans.