Grass

New York: Putnam, 1925. First Edition. INSCRIBED by the author: "To: Sidney Williams - who ushered 'Grass' into Philadelphia / and made it grow / and to whom the author of this book owes a very real debt of gratitude / Merian C. Cooper." Based on the silent documentary film, released the same year. Scarce to find in jacket or inscribed.

A landmark enthographic documentary, Cooper and photographer Ernest Schoedsack accompanied the Bakhtiari, a tribe of 50,000 nomads on their hazardous annual journey to bring their herds to pasture. The two collaborated on a number of silent documentaries before jointly writing, producing, and directing "King Kong" in 1933 (Cooper, a pilot who served with distinction in both World Wars, appears toward the end of "King Kong" as the Flight Commander).

With the immediate success of "King Kong," Cooper became a Vice President of RKO Pictures. He went on to produce many notable films, as well as the first Cinerama presentation. In 1952 he was awarded a special Academy Award for lifetime achievement.

Very Good plus in a Very Good dust jacket. Spine lightly toned, and a couple of faint smudges to the boards. Jacket spine and folds toned, a few faint dampstains, and tiny chips and tears (several cello-tape repairs on the verso).

[Book #134452]