Customer Reviews

The Brothers Warner

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cass Warner, producer of this film, is actually the granddaughter of Harry Warner, one of the four original Warner Brothers. This DVD is not a retread of "You Must Remember This", the documentary which focused on the studio. This is the story of the four Warner Brothers themselves, starting back in the 19th century and their ventures into the entertainment industry that predate the forming of Warner Brothers the company by twenty years. It goes forward past the time that they exited the running of Warner Brothers the company and talks about the lives of the brothers themselves. Although Ms. Warner is a descendent, she doesn't get overly sentimental about her subject nor does she try to smooth over the real problems that the brothers had in their own private lives and with each other. The book by the same name has much more detail, of course, but this is still a very fascinating documentary for those interested in film history.

Recently (on ebay) I was very fortunate to win a 1994 copy of CASS WARNER's beautifully written story of her family's Motion Picture and Television empire.

Jack Warner's "betrayal", as chronicled in the later Chapters was a real eye-opener for an interested reader not aware of all this previously "unaired" background history.

Being at the final couple chapters this afternoon, I was curious to check the IMDB Site to learn about the current story of the lady and the background of other original contributors to the book.

Having just learnt then, that a wonderful (Award winning) program had been recently made was an extra bonus. The DVD has now been ordered and is awaited with eager interest.

That such books and programs are still being produced is so special in that younger readers and filmgoers - as well as those of us born in earlier times - can learn even more about the basic background of what was entailed, and went on "behind doors" in the corridors and offices during the Studio System era.

Now in its Seventh printing, Cass's Book should be bought and read by everyone interested in "The Movies".

I have not read Jack Warner's Autobiography - and it seems that he overlooked many pertinent facts that were probably too sensitive to himself to admit to, but several other books on the Warner Studio are a wonderful read including:

INSIDE WARNER BRS. 1935 - 1951 by RUDY BEHLMER (1985) and

WARNER BROS. PRESENTS by TED SENNETT (1971), and especially:

THOSE CRAZY WONDERFUL YEARS WHEN WE RAN WARNER BROS. (1983) by STUART JEROME, who, in 1938, initially secured a position as a young man in the Warner Bros. Mail Room. A truly interesting "first hand" account of life on the Warner Lot.

Do try to obtain and read all these fine books.

I can't say enough about this wonderful film by Cass Warner, and ironically I can't add much to what has already been said: fascinating, illuminating, entertaining - especially to those of us who worked there at any time in the studio's history. A must-see!

I Really enjoyed the information on how the Warner Bothers Studios came to be and how its operated. It is interesting how companies come together and where they are today. This DVD explained the realationships and strenghts each bother brought to the table. I would definitely recommend you watch this DVD, if you like history and it's making.

This documentary, made by the grand-daughter of Harry Warner, one of the Warner Bros., is thorough in the telling of the history, the development and both the public and private, non-business side of the family history. It wastes no time, yet gives more than enough information. A wonderful documentary, with no re-enactments. This is a good one. The story of this pivotal Studio in the development of Hollywood is beautifully told. Worth every cent, and more! -James Bryant Wiser