The Warner Brothers
Born as the three sons of poor Jewish immigrants, Harry (1881-1958), Albert (1884-1967), Samuel (1887-1927), and Jack (1892-1978), became executives of the Time Warner company/conglomerate and movie producers at the turn of the century. They emigrated with their family of 12 children from Poland, mostly uneducated, and began working for a living as children. When brothers Sam and Harry attended their first motion picture showing at a Nickelodeon, they marveled at the way people were drawn in and entertained by moving pictures.
Using their life savings, a sheet, and chairs from the funeral parlor next door, the brothers opened the Star Theater. They then began a film distribution business, as it became more difficult to obtain new films. When even this did not satisfy the public's hunger for new material, the brothers moved to Hollywood and opened their first production business, and Warner Brothers Pictures Inc. was born.
Warner Brothers Pictures were known for being politically conscious, often full of action and adventure. Their films sparked interest, conflict, and debate. They may have been most known for being the first to pioneer the "Talkies". For 7 million dollars, now 150 million dollars, the brothers bought a Vitaphone and began to produce movies with sound. Their first few sound films were criticized and met with little success. The brothers gambled everything they had in production of their first sound hit, "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson. This was regarded as the first successful sound film in history.
Using their life savings, a sheet, and chairs from the funeral parlor next door, the brothers opened the Star Theater. They then began a film distribution business, as it became more difficult to obtain new films. When even this did not satisfy the public's hunger for new material, the brothers moved to Hollywood and opened their first production business, and Warner Brothers Pictures Inc. was born.
Warner Brothers Pictures were known for being politically conscious, often full of action and adventure. Their films sparked interest, conflict, and debate. They may have been most known for being the first to pioneer the "Talkies". For 7 million dollars, now 150 million dollars, the brothers bought a Vitaphone and began to produce movies with sound. Their first few sound films were criticized and met with little success. The brothers gambled everything they had in production of their first sound hit, "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson. This was regarded as the first successful sound film in history.
There was often tension between the brothers, particularly between Sam and Jack. Jack, the youngest, disliked his brother's authority and was often seen as the rebellious frontman. Despite their familial struggles, Warner Brothers Studios and Time Warner continues to produce television and film in the 21st century, a major production and entertainment company that is partnered with AOL, Cartoon Network, and other common names in the industry.