PRESENTATION OUTLINE
10 dark facts about Hitler
1. Hitler was rejected from art school more than once
We know that Hitler’s failed art career eventually led to his life of fascism, but you may not know that he actually applied to art school twice – and was rejected so hard the second time that he wasn’t even allowed to sit in on the entry exams. Even now, art experts maintain that Hitler was a sub-par artist.
2. Speaking of art, surprise: Hitler loved iconic German artists
Hitler’s affinity for classic German artists could be seen in his own work, which is why it’s easy to draw the parallels between Hitler’s sketches and the works of painter Hans Thoma. Other favourites? Albrect Durer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and Johannes Vermeer – all of which who probably would have preferred not to be.
3. He practiced for speeches by taking photos of himself . . . making speeches
4. He was an out-of-control spender
Hitler was out-of-control in general (obviously), but biographer Volker Ullrich recently uncovered that the Fuhrer actually spent thousands on opulence (cars, champagne, clothes, etc.) while pretending to be “a man of the people.”
5. Hitler was once ordered to trim his moustache
6. He loved Disney
The sooner we stop trying to understand Hitler, the better. However, while Disney represents kids’ films and family to us, to the dictator, it represented the advance of technology since "Snow White" boasted some pretty impressive animation circa its 1937 release. Rumour has it he also felt strongly for "King Kong" because of its special effects, and watched both that and war films repeatedly
7. Hitler’s obsession with Wagner began eons before WWII
At age 12, Hitler stumbled upon Wagner and he never looked back. Writing in Mein Kampf that he was “addicted” after attending the opera, "Lohengrin", Hitler reportedly skipped school to attend the opera well into his teens.
8. Rumour has it that Hitler had bred an army of talking dogs
9. Hitler was a vegetarian who was diligent about food testing
Surprisingly (just kidding), Hitler was a paranoid person. So paranoid, in fact, that he employed food tasters who, on one side, got to enjoy the crème de la crème of German cuisine (during a time of rations and starvation). On the other? After an attempted assassination, he basically kept his food tasters imprisoned, according to Margot Woelk, who had to suffer through the terrible ordeal.
10. His favourite actor only died in 2011
At age 108, Hitler’s favourite actor – the Dutch Johannes Heesters – passed away. However, despite being a favourite of the dictator and the S.S., Heesters was still allowed to perform because the Allies didn’t think he was involved in Nazi propaganda. However, because he did perform for the Nazi regime, he was still scrutinised for several decades.
