Ernest B. Schoedsack

**Ernest Beaumont Schoedsack** (June 8, 1893 - December 23, 1979) was an exceptional American motion picture cinematographer, producer, and director who left a significant footprint in the film industry. He started his career as a cameraman in World War I, following which he remained in Europe to advance in his career. Schoedsack worked on splendid films with Merian C. Cooper, including _King Kong_, _Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness_, and _The Most Dangerous Game_. He also had a close professional relationship with screenwriter and actress Ruth Rose, whom he later married. Despite the severe damage to his eyesight in World War I, he continued to contribute to films as a cinematographer and director. On the other hand, his personal life was marked by his towering height of 6 ft 5 in, earning him the nickname 'Shorty'. Schoedsack began his exciting career in the film industry in 1914, thanks to his brother Felix. He served in the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army in France in 1918 and flew in combat bombing missions. After the war, he stayed in Europe to expand his career as a cameraman, during which he also assisted war refugees. He worked on a series of films during his early days, such as _Grass_ and _Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness_. His remarkable collaborations with Merian C. Cooper and Ruth Rose led to _King Kong_ in 1933, followed by _Arabia_, _Son of Kong_, and _Blind Adventure_. He ventured into various genres, including Hollywood's first science fiction film in Technicolor_, Dr. Cyclops_. Schoedsack's final project was _Mighty Joe Young_, another reunion of the main King Kong creative team of Cooper, Schoedsack, and Ruth Rose.