Bert I. Gordon

B-movie director Bert I. Gordon specialized in low-budget flicks that featured giant creatures putting humanity in peril. Growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Gordon made home movies in 16mm and, after graduating college, started out directing and producing television commercials. In 1954, he relocated to Los Angeles to produce and direct bottom-barrel sci-fi films and television shows. American International Pictures took him on in 1957, the same year he directed, produced, and co-wrote "The Amazing Colossal Man," the first of a long line of giant monster pics. He often collaborated with his wife, Flora M. Gordon, on the films' special effects, which predominantly required rear-projection enlargements. "Village of the Giants," "Empire of the Ants," and several other over-the-top, schlocky horror-comedies carried him through the '70s. Actress Joan Collins appeared in 1977's "Empire of the Ants," later deeming it her worst acting experience. His films, never positively received by critics or mainstream moviegoers, later attained a cult-like magnetism. In fact, Gordon had more films than any other director shown on the spoof series "Mystery Science Theater 3000." Bert I. Gordon died on March 8, 2023 in Beverly Hills, CA at the age of 100.