When informed that Hollywood wanted to make a film about his exploits in World War I, York insisted that only
Gary Cooper could play him. At almost 40 years of age Cooper was actually too old to play York--who was not quite 30 at the time of the battle--and York was informed of this, but he insisted that if Cooper couldn't play him, he would not allow the film to be made. The film was made with Cooper in the role of Alvin York.