Background
Koster, Henry was born on May 1, 1905 in Berlin. Came to the United States, 1936, naturalized, 1944. Son of Albert and Emma (Salomon) Kosterlitz.
Koster, Henry was born on May 1, 1905 in Berlin. Came to the United States, 1936, naturalized, 1944. Son of Albert and Emma (Salomon) Kosterlitz.
Studied at art schools, Berlin and Vienna (Austria), 1923.
In 1926, Kosterlitz was making publicity films. Next year, he joined UFA as a writer, later working at Universal and Terra. His output was prolific but undistinguished, including several scripts filmed by Kurt Bernhardt—Die Waise von Lowood (26); Kinderseelen Klagen an (26); Die Letzte Kompanie (30); Die Mann der den Mord Beging (31).
He began directing at Universal and in 1936 he left for America.
At Universal, he was chosen bv Joe Pasternak (who had produced Kleine Mutti) to handle the studios new property, Deanna Durbin. Koster was equal to that task, directing her six times: Three Smart Girls; One Hundred Men and a Girl. which pairs Durbin with Leopold Stokowski; Three Smart Girls Grow Up; First Love; Spring Parade; and It Started with Eve, which costars Charles Laughton. After two films with June Allyson, and a dull Cary Crant movie—The Bishop’s Wife—Koster made the Inspector General (all Danny Kaye and no Cogol) and the charming Harvey arid No Highway, which rely on James Stewarts facile absentmindedness. Now at Fox, he was once more trusted: this time with CinemaScope. The Robe, however, is a cautious innovation, and it inaugurated a solemn decline. Desiree is inept; The Virgin Queen a throwback; Good Morning, Miss Dove treacle; My Man Godfrey an ill-advised remake with David Niven and Allyson falling far short of Powell and Lombard; and The Naked Maja sedately overdressed.
Member Directors Guild American.
Married Cathrin Kiraly, 1935. 1 child, Robert;; married Peggy Moran, October 30, 1942. Children: Nicolas, Peter.