First National Pictures: Difference between revisions
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| successors = Studio:<br>[[Warner Bros. Pictures]]<br>Library:<br>[[Warner Bros.]] (through [[ | | successors = Studio:<br>[[Warner Bros. Pictures]]<br>Library:<br>[[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]] (through [[Turner Entertainment Co.]])<br>[[Public domain in the United States|Public domain]] (pre-{{LASTYEAR|95}}) | ||
| | | founded = {{Start date and age|1917|5|15}} | ||
| founders = [[Thomas Lincoln Tally|Thomas L. Tally]]<br>[[James Dixon Williams|J. D. Williams]] <!-- or: | founders = --> | | founders = [[Thomas Lincoln Tally|Thomas L. Tally]]<br>[[James Dixon Williams|J. D. Williams]] <!-- or: | founders = --> | ||
| defunct = {{End date and age|1936|7|12}} (closing all 133 [[liquidation]] process) | | defunct = {{End date and age|1936|7|12}} (closing all 133 [[liquidation]] process) | ||
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| parent = [[Warner Bros.]] (1928–1936) | | parent = [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]] (1928–1936) | ||
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'''First National Pictures''' was an American motion picture production and distribution company. It was founded in 1917 as '''First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc.''', an association of independent theatre owners in the United States, and became the country's largest theater chain. Expanding from exhibiting movies to distributing them, the company reincorporated in 1919 as ''Associated First National Theatres, Inc.'' and ''Associated First National Pictures, Inc.'' In 1924 it expanded to become a motion picture production company as ''First National Pictures, Inc.'', and became an important studio in the film industry. In September 1928, control of First National passed to [[Warner Bros.]], into which it was completely absorbed on November 4, 1929. A number of Warner Bros. films were thereafter branded First National Pictures until July 1936, when First National Pictures, Inc., was dissolved.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Birth of the Talkies - From Edison to Jolson | publisher= Indiana University Press | location=Bloomington, Indiana | last=Geduld |first=Harry |date=1975 | url=https://publish.iupress.indiana.edu/read/the-birth-of-the-talkies/section/4fdc32c8-a180-490c-9548-3b3068da5e19 |access-date = January 21, 2023 | isbn=0253107431 }}</ref> | '''First National Pictures''' was an American motion picture production and distribution company. It was founded in 1917 as '''First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc.''', an association of independent theatre owners in the United States, and became the country's largest theater chain. Expanding from exhibiting movies to distributing them, the company reincorporated in 1919 as ''Associated First National Theatres, Inc.'', and ''Associated First National Pictures, Inc.'' In 1924 it expanded to become a motion picture production company as ''First National Pictures, Inc.'', and became an important studio in the film industry. In September 1928, control of First National passed to [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]], into which it was completely absorbed on November 4, 1929. A number of Warner Bros. films were thereafter branded First National Pictures until July 1936, when First National Pictures, Inc., was dissolved.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Birth of the Talkies - From Edison to Jolson | publisher= Indiana University Press | location=Bloomington, Indiana | last=Geduld |first=Harry |date=1975 | url=https://publish.iupress.indiana.edu/read/the-birth-of-the-talkies/section/4fdc32c8-a180-490c-9548-3b3068da5e19 |access-date = January 21, 2023 | isbn=0253107431 }}</ref> | ||
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| image1 =Thomas-Tally-1915.jpg | | image1 = Thomas-Tally-1915.jpg | ||
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| caption1 =[[Thomas L. Tally]] (1915) | | caption1 = [[Thomas L. Tally]] (1915) | ||
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| image2 =James Dixon Williams - Jan 1921 Film Fun.jpg | | image2 = James Dixon Williams - Jan 1921 Film Fun.jpg | ||
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| caption2 =[[James Dixon Williams|J. D. Williams]] (1921) | | caption2 = [[James Dixon Williams|J. D. Williams]] (1921) | ||
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| image1 =Poster - A Dog's Life 01.jpg | | image1 = Poster - A Dog's Life 01.jpg | ||
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| caption1 =Poster for ''[[A Dog's Life (1918 film)|A Dog's Life]]'' (1918), [[Charlie Chaplin]]'s first film under his $1 million contract with First National | | caption1 = Poster for ''[[A Dog's Life (1918 film)|A Dog's Life]]'' (1918), [[Charlie Chaplin]]'s first film under his $1 million contract with First National | ||
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| image2 =Warner Bros 1920.jpg | | image2 = Warner Bros 1920.jpg | ||
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| caption2 =First National Pictures studios in [[Burbank, California]] (c. 1928) | | caption2 = First National Pictures studios in [[Burbank, California]] (c. 1928) | ||
}} | }} | ||
The First National Exhibitors' Circuit was founded in 1917 by the merger of 26 of the biggest [[First run (filmmaking)|first-run]] cinema chains in the United States. It eventually controlled over 600 cinemas, more than 200 of them first-run houses (as opposed to the less lucrative second-run or neighbourhood theatres to which films moved when their initial box office receipts dwindled). | The First National Exhibitors' Circuit was founded in 1917 by the merger of 26 of the biggest [[First run (filmmaking)|first-run]] cinema chains in the United States. It eventually controlled over 600 cinemas, more than 200 of them first-run houses (as opposed to the less lucrative second-run or neighbourhood theatres to which films moved when their initial box office receipts dwindled). | ||
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Associated First National Pictures expanded from only distributing films to producing them in 1924 and changed its corporate name to First National Pictures, Inc.<ref>"New Incorporations", ''The New York Times'', May 6, 1924, p. 36.</ref> It built its {{convert|62|acre|ha|adj=on}} studio lot in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]] in 1926.<ref>"First National Properties", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', May 21, 1926, p. 16.</ref> The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and [[the Independent]] Producers' Association declared war in 1925 on what they termed a common enemy—the "film [[trust (19th century)|trust]]" of [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], Paramount, and First National, which they claimed dominated the industry not only by producing and distributing motion pictures but also by entering into exhibition as well.<ref>"Theatre Owners Open War on Hays", ''The New York Times'', May 12, 1925, p. 14.</ref> | Associated First National Pictures expanded from only distributing films to producing them in 1924 and changed its corporate name to First National Pictures, Inc.<ref>"New Incorporations", ''The New York Times'', May 6, 1924, p. 36.</ref> It built its {{convert|62|acre|ha|adj=on}} studio lot in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]] in 1926.<ref>"First National Properties", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', May 21, 1926, p. 16.</ref> The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and [[the Independent]] Producers' Association declared war in 1925 on what they termed a common enemy—the "film [[trust (19th century)|trust]]" of [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], Paramount, and First National, which they claimed dominated the industry not only by producing and distributing motion pictures but also by entering into exhibition as well.<ref>"Theatre Owners Open War on Hays", ''The New York Times'', May 12, 1925, p. 14.</ref> | ||
[[Jacob Fabian]], movie magnate known for pioneering the establishment of large motion picture theaters, starting in New Jersey, was Vice-President of Associated First National Pictures Producers, which evolved to First National Pictures, Inc. in 1924. He was an original franchise-holder of the organization as owner of the New Jersey First National Exchange.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1941-04-25 |title=Obituary for Jacob Fabian (Aged 76) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-obituary-for-jacob-fabian-ag/64238213/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |work=The Record |pages=2}}</ref> | |||
In March 1926, Fabian and sons acquired a large block of stock in West Coast Theatres, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar 08, 1926, page 15 - The Morning Call at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/552565740/?match=1&terms=%22fabian%22%20and%20%22west%20coast%20theatres%22 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=www.newspapers.com |language=en}} | |||
</ref> | |||
By May 1926, a merger took place with the Stanley Company, headed by [[Jules E. Mastbaum]], creating an unbroken chain of theaters from Massachusetts to Virginia called the Stanley Company of America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=May 06, 1926, page 1 - Press of Atlantic City at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/917756237/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}} | |||
</ref> | |||
Following the passing of Mastbaum in December 1926,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dec 08, 1926, page 1 - Press of Atlantic City at Newspapers.com™ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/917808350/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}} | |||
</ref> a $100 Million consolidation merger occurred between First National Pictures, The Stanley Company of America, and West Coast Theatres, creating the largest theater holding company in the world. During this time, a block of theaters were sold to [[Warner Bros. Pictures]], who would later pioneer sound to film ([[talkies]]) with ''[[The Jazz Singer]]'' in late 1927.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar 04, 1927, page 1 - The News at Newspapers.com™ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/525378375/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}} | |||
</ref> | |||
In July 1928, the Stanley Company elected a new Board of Directors, including Jacob Fabian and his son Simon H. Fabian.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stanley Company Elects Directors. |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/07/17/91695550.html |access-date=2025-11-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
== Acquisition by Warner Bros. == | == Acquisition by Warner Bros. == | ||
[[File:First National Pictures advertisement in The Film Daily, Jan-Jun 1926 (page 1216 crop).jpg|thumb|352x352px|First National Pictures advertisement in [[The Film Daily]], 1926]] | [[File:First National Pictures advertisement in The Film Daily, Jan-Jun 1926 (page 1216 crop).jpg|thumb|352x352px|First National Pictures advertisement in [[The Film Daily]], 1926]] | ||
On November 4, 1929, Fox sold its interest in First National to Warner Bros. for $10 million.<ref>"Fox Holdings in First National Pictures Sold", ''[[The Washington Post]]'', November 4, 1929, p. 3.</ref><ref name="Hirschhorn">{{cite book |last=Hirschhorn |first=Clive |title=The Warner Bros. Story | Warner Bros. held 42,000 shares of [[common stock]] out of 72,000 outstanding shares while [[Fox Film|Fox Pictures]] held 21,000 shares; 12,000 shares were publicly held.<ref>"Warner Buys First National", ''The Wall Street Journal'', September 27, 1928, p. 3.</ref> Warner Bros. acquired access to First National's affiliated chain of theatres, while First National acquired access to [[Vitaphone]] sound equipment. Warner Bros. and First National continued to operate as separate entities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1960 |title=In the Matter of the Appeal of WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC. |url=https://ota.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2022/01/69-sbe-0020.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025235826/https://ota.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2022/01/69-sbe-0020.pdf |archive-date=October 25, 2022 }}</ref> As a result of Warner Brothers acquiring one of the major film studios in First National, Warner Brothers became one of the largest producing, distributing, and exhibiting companies in Hollywood.<ref>{{Cite news |date= |title=WARNER BROS. BUY STANLEY THEATRES; $100,000,000 Merger Is Step to $250,000,000 Union of 4,000 Theatres. OTHER ALLIANCES SOUGHT Film Men Desire Keith-AlbeeOrpheum and Shubert Houses in National Chain. Rival of Fox Audible Films. WARNER BROS. BUY STANLEY THEATRES Their Theatres Are Widespread. Shares Active in Philadelphia. (Published 1928) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/13/archives/warner-bros-buy-stanley-theatres-100000000-merger-is-step-to.html |access-date=2025-11-04 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
On November 4, 1929, Fox sold its interest in First National to Warner Bros. for $10 million.<ref>"Fox Holdings in First National Pictures Sold", ''[[The Washington Post]]'', November 4, 1929, p. 3.</ref><ref name="Hirschhorn">{{cite book |last=Hirschhorn |first=Clive |title=The Warner Bros. Story |year=1979 |location=New York |publisher=Crown Publishers |isbn=0-517-53834-2}}</ref>{{Rp|66}} The First National studio in Burbank became the official home of Warner Bros.–First National Pictures. Thereafter, First National Pictures became a trade name for the distribution of a designated segment of Warner Bros. product. 45 of the 86 Warner Bros. feature films released in 1929 were branded as First National Pictures.<ref name="Hirschhorn"/>{{Rp|66}} Half of the 60 feature films Warner Bros. announced for release in 1933–1934 were to be First National Pictures.<ref name="NYT 1933-34 Releases">{{cite news |date=August 2, 1933 |title=Warners to Issue 60 Feature Films |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/02/archives/warners-to-issue-60-feature-films-half-will-be-produced-by-first.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2015-12-27 }}</ref> | |||
Although both studios produced "A" and [[B movies (Hollywood Golden Age)|"B" budget]] pictures, generally the prestige productions, costume dramas, and musicals were made by Warner Bros., while First National specialized in modern comedies, dramas, and crime stories. Short subjects were made by yet another affiliated company, The Vitaphone Corporation (which took its name from the sound process). | Although both studios produced "A" and [[B movies (Hollywood Golden Age)|"B" budget]] pictures, generally the prestige productions, costume dramas, and musicals were made by Warner Bros., while First National specialized in modern comedies, dramas, and crime stories. Short subjects were made by yet another affiliated company, The Vitaphone Corporation (which took its name from the sound process). | ||
In July 1936, stockholders of First National Pictures, Inc. (primarily Warner Bros.) voted to dissolve the corporation and distribute its assets among the stockholders in line with a new tax law which provided for tax-free consolidations between corporations.<ref>"Film Concern Dissolves", ''The New York Times'', July 12, 1936, p. F1.</ref> | In July 1936, stockholders of First National Pictures, Inc. (primarily Warner Bros.) voted to dissolve the corporation and distribute its assets among the stockholders in line with a new tax law which provided for tax-free consolidations between corporations.<ref>"Film Concern Dissolves", ''The New York Times'', July 12, 1936, p. F1.</ref> | ||
From 1929 to 1958, most Warner Bros. films and promotional posters bore the trademark and copyright credits "A Warner Bros.–First National Picture" in their opening and closing sequences.<ref>''American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures'', volumes F4 and F5.</ref> | From 1929 to 1958, most Warner Bros. films and promotional posters bore the trademark and copyright credits "A Warner Bros.–First National Picture" in their opening and closing sequences.<ref>''American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures'', volumes F4 and F5.</ref> | ||