Milton A. Gordon; Early Television Producer

Milton A. Gordon, 82, an early producer of television features and series who devised new ways of raising capital for film production. In 1953, he and Edward Small, a Hollywood producer, formed Television Programs of America to produce and distribute new films for the market. The company developed “Lassie,” an instant smash. It sold the series for $3 million, but kept distribution rights. The firm also produced “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan,” “Tugboat Annie” and “Private Secretary.” Gordon bought Small’s share of the firm in 1958 for $2 million, and sold the company the next year for $13 million to British interests. In 1969, Gordon bought the majority interest in Halle & Steiglitz, the Wall Street brokerage firm. In 1970 he became president and changed the firm’s direction to corporate finance. In New York City on Jan. 31 of a heart attack.