Born in Coney Island, New York City, Topper moved to Los Angeles at the age of 8, and served in the United States Navy during World War II.[1] He was working at the Horseshoe Stage in 1954 and wanted to make a movie. He and several friends got together and made Hell Squad over six months using their own money.[2] This was picked up for distribution by American International Pictures and launched his career.[3]
In 1958 AIP announced Topper would make a series of films for them, including Tank Destroyers, Last Woman on Earth, Young Warrior, and Yacht Party.[4] Not all of these were produced, but Topper would be associated with AIP for the rest of his career.
Topper's 1963 film War Is Hell (which he wrote, produced, directed and played a small role as an army lieutenant) was playing at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald snuck into the theatre and viewed it briefly before being arrested.
He also wrote, produced, directed and narrated fundraising films for the Variety Clubs of America.
In the mid 1960s Topper acted as an in house producer for American International. He left them in 1969 to re-enter independent production but still maintained strong links with AIP.[5] In 1972 he announced he would make 15 live action films worth $10.5 million but this did not eventuate.[6]
burt, topper, july, 1928, april, 2007, american, film, director, screenwriter, best, known, cult, films, aimed, teenagers, contents, biography, selected, filmography, unmade, films, references, external, linksbiography, editborn, coney, island, york, city, top. Burt Topper July 31 1928 April 3 2007 was an American film director and screenwriter best known for cult films aimed at teenagers Contents 1 Biography 2 Selected filmography 2 1 Unmade films 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditBorn in Coney Island New York City Topper moved to Los Angeles at the age of 8 and served in the United States Navy during World War II 1 He was working at the Horseshoe Stage in 1954 and wanted to make a movie He and several friends got together and made Hell Squad over six months using their own money 2 This was picked up for distribution by American International Pictures and launched his career 3 In 1958 AIP announced Topper would make a series of films for them including Tank Destroyers Last Woman on Earth Young Warrior and Yacht Party 4 Not all of these were produced but Topper would be associated with AIP for the rest of his career Topper s 1963 film War Is Hell which he wrote produced directed and played a small role as an army lieutenant was playing at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 22 1963 Lee Harvey Oswald snuck into the theatre and viewed it briefly before being arrested He also wrote produced directed and narrated fundraising films for the Variety Clubs of America In the mid 1960s Topper acted as an in house producer for American International He left them in 1969 to re enter independent production but still maintained strong links with AIP 5 In 1972 he announced he would make 15 live action films worth 10 5 million but this did not eventuate 6 Topper died of heart failure at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles He was survived by his wife Jennifer 7 Selected filmography EditHell Squad 1958 writer producer director Tank Commandos 1959 writer producer director Diary of a High School Bride 1959 writer producer director The Wild Ride 1960 story War Is Hell 1963 writer producer director The Strangler 1964 director Space Probe Taurus 1965 producer second unit director Fireball 500 1966 co producer Thunder Alley 1967 producer Devil s Angels 1967 producer Wild in the Streets 1968 executive producer The Devil s 8 1969 producer director The Heart of Variety 1969 documentary narrator writer 8 The Hard Ride 1971 writer executive producer director The Variety Legacy 1974 documentary writer producer director Soul Hustler 1976 writer producer director C H O M P S 1979 co producer second unit directorUnmade films Edit Hell s Belles circa 1968 proposed motorcycle film which Topper was to produce for AIP to be directed by Rod Amateau 9 Hell No We Won t Go circa 1968 for his own company 10 Hot Rod Inferno circa 1968 11 Ten Thousand Graves 1969 war comedy for AIP 12 Shake Him Till He Rattles 1969 13 References Edit Staff report April 4 2007 Burt Topper 78 filmmaker Variety Brian Albright Wild Beyond Belief McFarland 2008 Interview with Joyce King pages 134 136 Linked 2014 06 18 Burt Topper SPACE MONSTER THE STRANGLER FILM EVENTS COBB PLANS IDIOT FOR BROADWAY Los Angeles Times 17 Oct 1958 B8 MOVIE CALL SHEET UNIVERSAL TO FILM LAST USHER Martin Betty Los Angeles Times 29 May 1969 d8 MOVIE CALL SHEET CHLOE WILL HAVE PREMIERE Murphy Mary Los Angeles Times 25 Sep 1972 e11 Staff report Burt Topper 78 directed low budget movies aimed at teens Los Angeles Times 6 April 2007 accessed 3 January 2012 HEAtR OF VARIETY FILM WILL PREMIERE Los Angeles Times 23 May 1969 e20 AIP Reveals Its 1968 Film Program Los Angeles Times13 Jan 1968 b7 MOVIE CALL SHEET SEAN SIGNS FOR MAGUIRES Martin Betty Los Angeles Times13 Apr 1968 17 Dan O Herlihy Signs Pact Martin Betty Los Angeles Times 12 June 1968 h19 MOVIE CALL SHEET HOUSE OF LOVE RIGHTS SOLD Martin Betty Los Angeles Times 24 May 1969 b8 MOVIE CALL SHEET OSCARSSON CAST IN VALLEY Martin Betty Los Angeles Times 22 July 1969 c12 External links EditBurt Topper at IMDb Obituary at Los Angeles Times Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Burt Topper amp oldid 1075335314, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
