Richard Gordon (film producer)
Encyclopedia
Richard Gordon was a British
-born producer and financier of horror films.
In 1947, Gordon and his brother Alex
moved to New York
. Two years later, at the age of 23, Gordon set up his own company, Gordon Films, a distributor of imported films in the United States. He produced twice for Boris Karloff
, and later worked with Antony Balch
on two exploitation film
s. His last two films were The Cat and the Canary
(1979) and Inseminoid
(1981).
With writer Tom Weaver, he can be heard on the DVD commentary tracks for eight of his films: The Haunted Strangler, Fiend Without a Face, First Man Into Space, Corridors of Blood, Devil Doll
, Secrets of Sex, Horror Hospital and The Cat and the Canary. Weaver wrote The Horror Hits of Richard Gordon, a book-long interview published by BearManor Media in 2011. Gordon's brother, Alex Gordon
, produced exploitation films for American International Pictures in the 1950s.
Gordon died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital on 1 November 2011. He had been suffering from heart problems for several months.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
-born producer and financier of horror films.
Career
As a youth, Gordon displayed a love of films from an early age. While he was in school, he wrote articles on the subject, edited fan club magazines, and organized a film society. His entry into the industry was delayed by a period of service in the British Royal Navy, from 1944 through 1946.In 1947, Gordon and his brother Alex
Alex Gordon (writer-producer)
Alex Gordon was a British writer and film producer.He produced eighteen films, including the American International Pictures films Day the World Ended and The She Creature...
moved to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Two years later, at the age of 23, Gordon set up his own company, Gordon Films, a distributor of imported films in the United States. He produced twice for Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
, and later worked with Antony Balch
Antony Balch
Antony Balch was an English film director and distributor, best known for his screen collaborations with Beat Generation author William S...
on two exploitation film
Exploitation film
Exploitation film is a type of film that is promoted by "exploiting" often lurid subject matter. The term "exploitation" is common in film marketing, used for all types of films to mean promotion or advertising. These films then need something to exploit, such as a big star, special effects, sex,...
s. His last two films were The Cat and the Canary
The Cat and the Canary (1979 film)
The Cat and the Canary is a film released in 1979. It is an adaptation of John Willard's 1922 black comedy play of the same name. The play has previously been filmed several times, the first being a 1927 silent film version.- Plot synopsis :...
(1979) and Inseminoid
Inseminoid
Inseminoid is a British film of science fiction and horror released in 1981. Norman J. Warren's eighth motion picture, the plot of Inseminoid concerns a group of future scientists excavating the ruins of an ancient civilisation on a distant planet...
(1981).
With writer Tom Weaver, he can be heard on the DVD commentary tracks for eight of his films: The Haunted Strangler, Fiend Without a Face, First Man Into Space, Corridors of Blood, Devil Doll
Devil Doll (film)
Devil Doll is a horror film about an evil ventriloquist, "The Great Vorelli", and his dummy Hugo. Decades after its initial release, it was featured on a 1997 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.-Plot:...
, Secrets of Sex, Horror Hospital and The Cat and the Canary. Weaver wrote The Horror Hits of Richard Gordon, a book-long interview published by BearManor Media in 2011. Gordon's brother, Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon (writer-producer)
Alex Gordon was a British writer and film producer.He produced eighteen films, including the American International Pictures films Day the World Ended and The She Creature...
, produced exploitation films for American International Pictures in the 1950s.
Gordon died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital on 1 November 2011. He had been suffering from heart problems for several months.