In between twenty and sixty new American films were released in German theatres every year until World War II broke out; Hitler himself was a major fan of Merian C. Cooper‘s 1933 blockbuster King Kong.
Merian Caldwell Cooper, an American aviator, United States Air Force, and Polish Air Force officer, explorer, playwright, film director, and producer, was born on October 24, 1893. During the Polish-Soviet War, Cooper founded the Kosciuszko Squadron and spent time as a Soviet prisoner of war.
He was a well-known film producer who got his start in the industry as a member of the Explorers Club, which traveled the world and documented adventures. He served on the board of directors of Pan American Airways, but his passion for movies always came first. He worked for firms like Pioneer Pictures, RKO Pictures, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during his cinematic career.
In addition, he is credited with co-inventing the Cinerama film projection system. Cooper’s most renowned film was King Kong, released in 1933. In 1952, he was given an honorary Oscar for lifetime accomplishment, and in 1960, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Cooper says he was reminded of King Kong after having a dream about a colossal gorilla invading New York City. He captured the idea and incorporated it in the film when he awakened. He planned on having a large gorilla fight a Komodo dragon or other animal but discovered that the interlacing technique he wanted to utilize would not produce realistic results. Cooper and co-director Ernest B. Schoedsack appear at the end of the 1933 version of King Kong, piloting the plane that eventually kills Kong.
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