Burt Topper
Burt Topper (July 31, 1928 – April 3, 2007) was an American film director and screenwriter best known for cult films aimed at teenagers.
Biography
Born in Coney Island, New York, Topper moved to Los Angeles at the age of 8, and served in the United States Navy during World War II. 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. This was picked up for distribution by American International Pictures and launched his career.
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. 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.
Podcasts:
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by Trace Adkins
Proud To Be Here
by: Trace AdkinsIf I were down to my last dollar -
Sittin' on an empty tank
I'd be a dollar richer than I was back-in-the-day
When I was playin' for tips and compliments
And half my rent was always spent on beer
Had a thousand dollar stereo
In a two hundred dollar truck
A screwdriver and some cussin'
Always made her start right up
But I tore it up one rainy night
Goin"round a curve when I hit second gear
And I'm just proud to be here
CHORUS
Yeah I'm just proud to be on the right side of the dirt
I've been loved and I've been lost and I've been hurt
I leave the hard stuff up to God
Try not to worry 'bout a whole jot
And I have no regrets for what it's worth
I've been livin' on borrowed time for years
And I'm just proud to be here
I'd like to thank my guardian angels
God must have sent His best
Heaven knows they worked their wings off
Keepin' whiskey off my breath
When I think of all I would have missed
My wife and kids and all that I hold dear