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On this episode of Our American Stories, Merian C. Cooper never settled for an ordinary life. Before he created King Kong, he was chasing stories as a journalist, flying combat missions in two world wars, and helping to shape the rise of the American movie industry. By the time audiences watched a giant gorilla climb the Empire State Building in 1933, Cooper had already lived through adventures as thrilling as any he put on film. As part of our ongoing Hollywood Goes to War series, Roger McGrath shares the story of the pilot, producer, and dreamer whose life blurred the line between classic adventure movies and history itself.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) 

On this episode of Our American Stories, Merian C. Cooper never settled for an ordinary life. Before he created&nbsp;King Kong, he was chasing stories as a journalist, flying combat missions in two world wars, and helping to shape the rise of the American movie industry. By the time audiences watched a giant gorilla climb the Empire State Building in 1933, Cooper had already lived through adventures as thrilling as any he put on film. As part of our ongoing&nbsp;Hollywood Goes to War&nbsp;series, Roger McGrath shares the story of the pilot, producer, and dreamer whose life blurred the line between classic adventure movies and history itself.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>&nbsp;

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Merian C. Cooper Went to War Before He Brought King Kong to Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/88d7696d-765a-4b59-82d4-b34b015207ec/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dustin Tomlinson grew up in rural Missouri, the youngest of four brothers on a cattle farm where competition was part of everyday life. Like a lot of people in small towns, he had arm wrestled plenty of times on truck hoods, in hayfields, and around the high school cafeteria table. But he never imagined it could become a serious sport.

After stumbling across professional arm wrestling online, Dustin decided to see how far he could take something he had always done for fun. What started as a trip to a local tournament soon turned into a passion for a sport that demands strength, strategy, and precision. Dustin shares how he discovered the competitive world of arm wrestling and what it takes to move from friendly challenges to the professional arena.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dustin Tomlinson grew up in rural Missouri, the youngest of four brothers on a cattle farm where competition was part of everyday life. Like a lot of people in small towns, he had arm wrestled plenty of times on truck hoods, in hayfields, and around the high school cafeteria table. But he never imagined it could become a serious sport. After stumbling across professional arm wrestling online, Dustin decided to see how far he could take something he had always done for fun. What started as a trip to a local tournament soon turned into a passion for a sport that demands strength, strategy, and precision. Dustin shares how he discovered the competitive world of arm wrestling and what it takes to move from friendly challenges to the professional arena.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Yes, Arm Wrestling Is a Real Sport

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e960af78-a717-47be-a233-b40a009fef15/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, most Americans remember Brian Keith as Uncle Bill on the television series Family Affair. Calm, steady, and dependable, he played the bachelor suddenly responsible for raising his niece and nephew.

That calm presence came from a life far from Hollywood soundstages. During World War II, Keith served as a U.S. Marine aerial gunner in the Pacific, flying combat missions where young crews faced enemy fire and long hours over open water. In this installment of our Hollywood Goes to War series, historian Roger McGrath shares the story of Brian Keith’s wartime service and the years that came before his career in film and television.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, most Americans remember Brian Keith as Uncle Bill on the television series Family Affair. Calm, steady, and dependable, he played the bachelor suddenly responsible for raising his niece and nephew. That calm presence came from a life far from Hollywood soundstages. During World War II, Keith served as a U.S. Marine aerial gunner in the Pacific, flying combat missions where young crews faced enemy fire and long hours over open water. In this installment of our&nbsp;Hollywood Goes to War&nbsp;series, historian Roger McGrath shares the story of Brian Keith&rsquo;s wartime service and the years that came before his career in film and television.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Before Family Affair, Brian Keith Was a Marine Gunner in World War II

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48b417ae-3184-498d-be46-b40a009fef11/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley could do things with a rifle that most people would not even attempt. She shot right-handed, left-handed, from horseback, and even over her shoulder using a mirror. At a time when women were expected to remain in the background, she stepped into the spotlight with a rifle in her hands.

Her path to fame began in poverty. As a young girl in Ohio, Oakley hunted to put food on the table for her family. That skill eventually brought her to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, where she became one of its biggest stars. Gun historian Ashley Hlebinsky shares the story of Annie Oakley’s life, her partnership with fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler, and how a quiet woman from Ohio became one of the most famous performers of the American West.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley could do things with a rifle that most people would not even attempt. She shot right-handed, left-handed, from horseback, and even over her shoulder using a mirror. At a time when women were expected to remain in the background, she stepped into the spotlight with a rifle in her hands. Her path to fame began in poverty. As a young girl in Ohio, Oakley hunted to put food on the table for her family. That skill eventually brought her to Buffalo Bill&rsquo;s Wild West show, where she became one of its biggest stars. Gun historian Ashley Hlebinsky shares the story of Annie Oakley&rsquo;s life, her partnership with fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler, and how a quiet woman from Ohio became one of the most famous performers of the American West.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Remarkable Life of Annie Oakley, America’s Greatest Sharpshooter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aa67027a-39a4-4839-abbe-b40a009fef18/transcript

Merian C. Cooper Went to War Before He Brought King Kong to Life

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