Scope and Contents Collection contains personal papers, business records, audiovisual materials, and photographs which document most aspects of Merian C. Cooper's life and his varied careers. It includes research and information on documentary and feature motion picture production in the United States from the mid-1920s through the early 1950s, as well as information on world exploration, the United States Air Force (particularly during World War II), and early television. The collection also documents several...

Scope and Contents

Contains awards, correspondence, story proposals, photographs, art, and other material related to Cooper's career in the film industry during the beginning in the 1930s, but primarily in the 1950s and 1960s. These files also contain similar materials on the careers of Cooper's wife, Dorothy Jordan, and special effects technician Willis O'Brien. Dated 1920 to 1972.

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Subseries contains correspondence related to Cooper's unproduced film project Chennault of China. Materials date from between 1948 and 1986.

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Subseries contains correspondence related to Cooper's production of King Kong (1933), including correspondence to or from Dorothy Jordan Cooper. Materials date from 1931 to 1980.

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Contains correspondence between Cooper and his wife, Dorothy Jordan, and children. Includes letters documenting his military service during the Second World War. Materials date from between 1939 and 1973.

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Contains personal correspondence between Cooper and his father, John C. Cooper, Sr., and his brother, John C. Cooper, Jr. Also includes envelopes from the letters. Materials date from between 1915 and 1967.

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Contains correspondence between Cooper and his family, including his father, brother, wife, and children. Materials date from between 1915 and 1973.

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Contains articles, correspondence, and other materials related to story ideas and properties owned by Cooper.