King Brothers Productions
| Company type | Private (later public) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | 1941 |
| Founder | Morris, Frank, and Hyman Kozinsky (later King) |
| Defunct | Late 1960s |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Films |
King Brothers Productions was an American film production enterprise that operated from 1941 until the late 1960s. Established by the Kozinsky siblings—Morris (also known as Maurice), Frank, and Hyman—who eventually adopted the surname "King," the company gained recognition for its partnerships with directors such as Philip Yordan and William Castle. Significantly, they employed multiple blacklisted screenwriters during the era of the Red Scare. Their filmography features distinguished titles including Dillinger (1945), Gun Crazy (1949), Carnival Story (1954), The Brave One (1956)—which earned writer Dalton Trumbo an Academy Award for Best Story—Gorgo (1961), and Heaven With a Gun (1968).
Career
Joseph Kozinsky (1884–1950), a fruit merchant based in New York, and his wife Sarah—known as "Mama King"—raised five children, among them Morris, Frank, and Hyman. The family moved to Los Angeles during the 1920s. Initially, the brothers took on various occupations before establishing a profitable enterprise in slot machines, eventually amassing a network of 19,000 machines and expanding into thoroughbred racing.
In 1940, Morris, Frank, and their sister Nettie Segal encountered legal troubles involving tax evasion allegations tied to the disclosure of kickback schemes from pinball machine operators to Los Angeles officials, marking early hurdles in their business endeavors.
Entry into Filmmaking
That same year, Morris Kozinsky ventured into slot machine-related film technology by developing the Hollywood TalkiTone projector and collaborating with producer Cecil B. De Mille through Hollywood Quality Pictures Incorporated. However, De Mille's contractual obligations with Paramount Pictures restricted his active participation. Morris later expressed criticism of De Mille’s methods, highlighting their commitment to producing quality entertainment rather than mere novelty acts.
Abandoning their focus on slot machine projection devices, the Kozinsky brothers chose to become film producers themselves. Morris remarked to Frank: "If De Mille can do it, why can't we? We’re smart guys; we wouldn’t lose more than ten or twenty thousand dollars." They utilized relationships with Hollywood figures like Louis B. Mayer and Frank Capra to obtain guidance and establish credibility.
They created KB Productions and produced Paper Bullets, which was distributed by Producers Releasing Corporation with a budget of $19,500 plus half of the profits. Filmed over six days at Talisman Studios, its success marked their emergence as producers.
In 1942, the Kozinsky family officially adopted the surname "King." Their significant breakthrough came with Dillinger (1945). Morris emphasized their business philosophy: maintaining low overhead by starting production only when ready and fostering an open-door policy aimed at gaining industry respect alongside financial gain.
Dillinger was penned by frequent collaborator Philip Yordan, who characterized the brothers as straightforward businessmen with varied backgrounds and modest wealth accumulated from slot machine ventures. Production assistant Arthur Gardner recalled Frank King as the astute business strategist who propelled their projects forward through careful management.
In 1945, they announced their most ambitious venture to date—a musical titled Golden Girl featuring Belita, which was later released under the name Suspense.
New Company
In September 1950, the King Brothers altered their business approach by taking their company public, authorizing the issuance of one million shares at $1 par value. They secured $300,000 through this share offering to fund the production of Drums in the Deep South, followed by an additional $300,000 to support The Syndicate. The brothers personally acquired $70,000 worth of shares, drawing in more than 700 investors while maintaining a 50% stake in the profits.
Subsequently, the King Brothers initiated legal action against RKO, filing a $6,030,000 lawsuit accusing the studio of poor management in the distribution and marketing of three of their films: The Brave One, Carnival Story, and Drums in the Deep South.
Select filmography
- Paper Bullets (1941)
- I Killed That Man (1941)
- Klondike Fury (1942)
- Rubber Racketeers (1942)
- I Escaped from the Gestapo (1943)
- The Unknown Guest (1943)
- Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1944)
- When Strangers Marry (1944)
- Dillinger (1945)
- Suspense (1946)
- The Gangster (1947)
- The Dude Goes West (1948)
- Bad Men of Tombstone (1949)
- Gun Crazy (1950)
- Southside 1-1000 (1950)
- Drums in the Deep South (1951)
- Mutiny (1952)
- The Ring (1952)
- Carnival Story (1954)
- Circus of Love (1954)
- The Brave One (1956)
- Rodan (1956)
- Gorgo (1961)
- Captain Sindbad (1963)
- Maya (1966)
- Return of the Gunfighter (1967)
- Maya (1967–68) – TV series
- Heaven With a Gun (1968)
Unmade films
- Wire Service’’ (1942) – depicting life of Moe Annenberg
- A Million Spies’’ (1942)
- Blood Money’’ (1942)
- Money Talks’’ (1942)
- I Was a Prisoner of Japan’’ (1944)
- I Killed Hitler’’ written by Robert Kehoe (1944)
- Absent Without Love’’ penned by Niven Busch (1945)
- Lady Member’’ adapted from a story by Damon Runyon (1944)
- The Honest Gambler’’ authored by Philip Yordan (1945)
- Payment Due’’ featuring Lawrence Tierney(1945)
- Focus’’ based on the novel by Arthur Miller(1946)
- The Dark Road’’ by Doris Disney(1946)
- Tijuana’’(1947)
- The Syndicate’’(1951)
- The Black Lash’’, centered on Angola Prison Farm(1952)
- Memo to Mike’’, a musical collaboration with Dimitri Tiomkin(1952)
In popular culture
In the 2015 motion picture Trumbo, John Goodman portrayed Frank Kozinsky, while Stephen Root took on the role of Hymie (Herman) Kozinsky.