Guy Lochhead, 25/08/10
Cooper is best known as the co-writer, co-director and star (with Ernest Schoedsack) of ‘King Kong’, but he had a very busy life before and after then. He served in various armies and spent time in two prisoner-of-war camps before returning to his native America to make ethnographical documentaries, and, later, feature films. His name is misspelt on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Although he was a sort-of- important figure in the history of cinema, and he led an unbelievable life, I feel Cooper’s faults (anti-Semitism, bizarre loyalties) outweigh his virtues, and will not be including him (though ‘King Kong’ will, but only for Willis O’Brien’s involvement).