He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 36



Only Krnovel

Episode 36

Episode 36 – Triumph of the Hope

“Alf, why are you drawing so early in the morning?”

“I have something to experiment with.”

A pure white manuscript paper.

As I moved the pen, a character appeared.

A muscular man with a rocket attached to his back.

“I contacted Hugo Gernsback, and he flatly rejected my offer.”

As soon as I arrived in New York, I contacted Gunsback.

An offer to acquire or invest in his magazine.

Contrary to expectations, Gunsback didn’t even meet me.

‘Did you just rush in too recklessly?’

It’s not unreasonable to be cautious.

Because I run a radio company.

‘I guess he thought he was buying your magazine to use as publicity for the company.’

It took Gernsback’s help to make SF popular.

I guess I’ll have to approach this more carefully.

“So, you’re saying you draw cartoons? I don’t think that’ll be enough to convince anyone.”

Richter said, turning the pages of manuscript.

“But does this guy have a rocket on his back?”

“There’s a lightsaber there too.”

A simple premise: the protagonist, who has lost his parents, flies through space and fights pirates and villains.

In this era, this type of heroic epic was popular.

‘Superman hasn’t appeared yet.’

The main character I drew feels like a mix of Star Wars and Marvel Comics.

“Once I’m done, I’ll send it to Gunsback. If you see the ideas and visions I have, you’ll know I’m sincere. All that’s left is to decide on a name…”

Jetpack?

Jet engines have not yet been commercialized.

Rocketman?

It’s weird, but I guess I’ll have to push through with this.

The goal was to popularize rockets.

“How about Rocketman?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Richter muttered as he looked at the manuscript.

“This is more fun than I thought. Did you really draw it all?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

The story is a mishmash of clichés picked up here and there.

Hitler’s drawing skills were better than expected.

‘I need to practice drawing people more.’

Even in the history of the Yuan Dynasty, Hitler was good at drawing architecture and natural landscapes, but weak at drawing people.

Even when I dropped out of art school, I was recommended to become an architect.

It was better than the average person, but there was still a lot of room for improvement.

“By the way, Rocketman. It seems a bit awkward.”

“It’s better than Spiderman. Batman is weird too.”

“If you just listen to the words, it sounds like you’re going to a zoo. People wouldn’t want to see such protagonists, right?”

“Well, it might be surprisingly popular.”

“By the way, is Sidekick a talking cat?”

“It’s better than a talking raccoon.”

Richter tilted his head as if he had no idea what he was talking about.

Just then there was a knock on the door.

“Sir, Mr. Griffith is here. Shall I show you inside?”

“Please bring me inside.”

I pushed the manuscripts on the desk aside.

“Oh, who was supposed to come today?”

“He’s a famous film director. His name is David Wark Griffith.”

The first director to immigrate to Hollywood to challenge Edison’s film monopoly.

‘The birth of a nation.’

It was famous for being a movie that glorified the KKK.

It is one of the most controversial films in film history.

From excellent storytelling and music to innovative directing techniques.

The first film ever screened at the White House.

But the content is blatantly racist.

‘I didn’t really want to meet you.’

It was difficult to refuse Charlie Chaplin’s request.

There is also money invested in UA.

If it’s just a little bit of facial expression, then there won’t be a problem.

“Welcome, Mr. Griffith.”

A neat suit.

I guided him inside.

“I had heard a lot about Mr. Griffith’s reputation when I visited Hollywood.”

“I have also heard a lot about Mr. Hitler’s reputation. I can’t beat around the bush, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

He sat down and took something out of his bosom.

“This book.”

‘My two years in America. A German’s struggle.’

– Dale Carnegie, Adolf Hitler

It’s a book written by Carnegie.

Why are you suddenly showing me that?

“I want to make this book into a movie.”

“…”

For a moment, my throat got blocked.

what?

You want to make my book into a movie?

“Can you explain in more detail? I’m a bit taken aback by the sudden suggestion.”

“I always wanted to make a film about immigrants. Reading Mr. Hitler’s story just made sense.”

He smiled faintly.

“This is exactly what I was looking for. Not just the personal story of Mr. Hitler…”

He continued speaking in a heated tone.

“Business success will also attract great public attention. Of course, I plan to use a professional actor for the lead role. But first, I came to get permission from Mr. Hitler.”

“A movie about me. This is a really unexpected offer.”

And it just so happens that it was Griffith who made this suggestion.

If even a single racist message is included, my image will fall into the abyss.

Even when The Birth of a Nation was first released, there was strong opposition in the northern United States.

‘I can’t blow up the image I’ve worked so hard to build up.’

But Griffith is one of the co-founders of UA.

It’s hard to refuse outright.

Let’s try making some excuses.

“Okay, let’s look into it positively. But there’s one condition.”

I said.

“I have a friend who is a jazz musician named Louis Armstrong. He is black and very talented.”

“If you’re a jazz musician…”

“I want to include a scene where that friend and I are on good terms together. Trumpet jazz is also included as a sound to match that.”

In this era, movie OSTs, or sound, were played on pianos and organs installed inside movie theaters.

It would be difficult for you to accept my proposal.

‘It would be especially difficult if you were a racist.’

Griffith touched his chin.

Yeah, tell him to reject it quickly.

“I’ll have to think about it a bit. I don’t mind having a black person in a supporting role, but then critics will think I’m bowing down to criticism.”

“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do.”

A knock came from the door again.

“Sir, Sam Warner is here with you. He says he has a new business proposition for you.”

“New business proposal?”

Work keeps piling up today.

Dealing with Griffith is enough of a headache.

“Tell him to wait a moment. It’ll be over soon.”

“If you’re Sam Warner, are you from Warner Brothers? I was planning to visit there too…”

Griffith looked interested.

“What a coincidence.”

“If it’s okay with you, Mr. Griffith, let’s invite Mr. Warner in as well. Wouldn’t that save some time?”

That’s good.

I’ll have to change the subject using Sam Warner.

“I’m fine.”

A few moments later, Sam Warner came in, guided by his secretary.

“Mr. Warner. I didn’t know you’d come here so suddenly.”

“It was so urgent that I wanted to talk to you face to face.”

Sam Warner said with a laugh.

His gaze turned to Griffith.

“Are you Director Griffith? I never expected to see you here.”

“I heard that Warner Brothers is building a new film studio in Hollywood.”

The two men shook hands.

“I was impressed by the excellent facilities.”

“I am touched to hear your praise. It is too much praise.”

The two men spoke in a heated tone.

It was good.

You naturally changed the subject.

I said, coughing.

“What brings you here today, Mr. Warner?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention that. Isn’t there a book written by Mr. Hitler? It’s called ‘My Two Years in America.’”

uh?

“We at Warner Bros. would like to make that into a movie.”

“…”

Awkward silence.

Griffith’s eyes froze coldly.

＊＊＊

“We at Warner Pictures have already had a successful run with ‘Four Years in Germany.’ If you would give us Mr. Hitler’s book…”

“Ha! It may have been a commercial success, but that movie is woefully lacking in artistic quality. If you leave it to me…”

“American audiences are not interested in artistry. They watch movies only if they are entertaining. I will accept all the jazz-related conditions that Mr. Hitler mentioned.”

“I agree to all of that!”

Sam Warner.

Griffith.

Both of them shouted in a very excited tone.

I’m going crazy and going crazy.

Should I call it luck or misfortune?

Both of them came on the same day and made the same offer.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have asked to see you separately.’

It’s a movie.

Is this a side effect of being too obsessed with American nationalism?

‘If it goes well, it will be beneficial for me too.’

Warner and Griffith.

Griffith hasn’t had a clear hit since The Birth of a Nation.

If Warner takes the reins well, a commercially successful film could come out of it.

It might also filter out racist content.

“Then why don’t you two work together? UA and Warner Bros. can produce it together.”

Griffith let out a deep sigh after hearing what I said.

“You can’t make a great movie by collaborating. The more hands there are, the more likely it is that the dish will fail.”

“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do.”

I guess it’s better to just give up.

“I have invested in both Warner and UA. I can’t just entrust the filmmaking to one side. I believe you both understand that.”

“…”

“…”

Both of them kept their mouths shut, as if lost in thought.

“Okay, then we’ll take charge of the filming and production, but we’ll work with Warner Bros. on the screenplay and studio selection. What do you think?”

“I don’t think it’s impossible. We’ll have to negotiate about distribution, though…”

Sam Warner nodded.

“I think we can look into it positively.”

It was my turn to sigh.

I didn’t expect both companies to be this proactive.

Hitler’s movies.

There were similar cases in the history of the Yuan Dynasty.

“Triumph of the will.”

A propaganda film made by German female director Leni Riefenstahl.

Through this film, Hitler promoted Nazism throughout the world.

“Triumph of the Will. That sounds like a good title. After all, the American Dream is also a triumph of the will.”

Griffith nodded.

Oh, you mumbled that out loud.

“The will is a bit like that.”

That image is too strong.

It’s embarrassing for me to hear.

“I would rather have the triumph of hope. Or you can add freedom.”

I said.

There is nothing else that is important.

“And I want to be involved in the script writing and final editing process. It’s a movie about me, so I don’t want any misinformation.”

If the content is strange, we can just cut it out during the editing stage.

You can just drop the movie.

“Of course.”

Warner said with a smile.

“Then let’s talk about more specific conditions.”

＊＊＊

Boston

Securities Exchange Co.

“The return is 300% so far. You can withdraw it whenever you want.”

“I will reinvest it all.”

A woman in overalls said.

Her young son sat next to her.

“My husband agrees. Please reinvest all the profits you earn this time.”

“Yes, I will do that. Next month, you will earn an additional 30% in profits.”

An Italian man in a neat suit said.

He smiled and handed the child a candy.

“Charles, I really don’t know how to express my gratitude…”

The woman said with a bright expression.

“My acquaintances are all in an uproar. They all ask me how I made all this money.”

“You are too kind, ma’am. I should be the one thanking you.”

The man nodded.

“Didn’t you bring in many investors, Madam? This kind of compensation is only natural.”

He continued to speak.

“The international bond business is just beginning. The more investors we attract, the greater the profits we will be able to generate.”

After a while, the woman finished talking and left the office holding her son’s hand.

Another man came inside.

“Sir, I think some newspapers have noticed. There have been a few articles published…”

“You don’t have to worry, Charlie.”

The man in the suit said, putting his legs on the desk.

“We’ve bought all the judges in Boston anyway. If we sue them for libel, they won’t be able to say anything. And don’t we support immigrant clubs? It’ll be hard for us to attack the newspapers at will.”

He took out a newspaper and placed it on the desk.

“Look at this. These days, it seems like a German named Adolf Hitler is famous.”

“Yes, I heard you wrote some book.”

“Wouldn’t it be helpful for our business if we could leverage this guy’s popularity?”

The man smiled faintly.

“Let’s publish a similar book. And let’s pretend to be close friends with this guy.”

He said.

“Let’s start with a business proposal. The more nouveau riche they are, the more likely they are to fall for it. You can also try seducing them with a little alcohol and pretty girls.”

“Let me make a plan.”

“Okay, I’ll leave it to you. Get a ghostwriter for the book and finish it as quickly as possible. A week or so should be enough.”

The man muttered, looking at his nameplate.

The name written on the nameplate is Ponzi.

It was Charles Ponzi.

“Wouldn’t that guy come over if he heard my name?”