By jerryb Published: December 8, 2009
Posted in: Films/Documentaries

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The Brothers Warner is the true documentary story of the founding years of Warner Bros pictures and distribution. Founded on extreme humble beginnings by brothers Harry, Jack, Abe and Sam, Warner Bros has played a significant role in supporting The American Dream. Join us in this exclusive interview with Cass Warner to know more about this must have documentary.

(I.M) Your documentary Brothers Warner focuses on the genesis (the beginning) of Warner Brothers Studios, what factors were important in your quest to document this great american story of accomplishment?

There were some very personal reasons that inspired the 30-year journey and quest I’ve been on. My grandfather, Harry Warner, was a key figure in my life–a extraordinarily kind soul who cared not only for his family, his studio and all the employees in it but also for mankind and the issues of the day. Revealing and understanding aspects of their trials and tribulations, their incredible persistence to reach their dream or goal against all odds, and them choosing to make films with a social conscience was extremely important to me.

(I.M) Brothers Warner is a compelling documentary of challenges faced by your grandfather Harry Warner who co-founded Warner Brothers, how did you obtain your facts and data to compile this story?

As a child, my father writer/producer, Milton Sperling, used to tell stories around the dining table about the battles behind the scenes as he was a referee between my grandfather and the youngest brother, Jack. Being fascinated by the characters and what I was observing really captured my curiosity. In my mid-twenties, I started interviewing family members and others who knew them for my book that came out in 1993. Its original title was “Hollywood Be Thy Name–The Warner Brothers Story”–a gift from my dear friend, Howard Koch, writer of CASABLANCA. Meeting folks like Howard made my research memorable.

(I.M.) How were you able to acquire all of the old footage from the studios, interviews, and private home-movie footage for your documentary?

Most of the private home-movie footage I had to pay to get from stock footage houses as my great uncle Jack threw it away and it was taken out of his garbage and sold. Jack’s grandson had some which he was kind enough to exchange with me. The old Warner Bros. film footage was made available by the studio.

(I.M.) Do you have any grievances towards Jack Warner, and has your family healed from the wounds of the past events?

Once one has collected as much information as they can about an unpleasant situation, hopefully, there is more understanding which allows one to be compassionate and forgiving. This is the route I’m glad I chose. I can only hope that my efforts help the rest of my family to come closer together.

(I.M.) Warner Bros studios made an outstanding decision to withdraw from Germany due to its ani-jewish practices which was a very bold move in that era. Did this move act as either a positive or negative decision to American audiences and/or employees?

American audiences were for the most part in agreement about being isolationists until 1941. Being that my grandfather traveled a lot of the year to open film exchanges and to handle studio business abroad, he saw firsthand what was going on with Hitler back in 1934 when the first concentration camps were created. I’m very proud that he not only took a position on exposing this injustice but figured out a way to “educate, entertain and enlighten” audiences to this reality. (This was the original motto for the studio–to use film to “educate, entertain and enlighten.”) I believe, from the employees I’ve interviewed that they were extremely proud to be a part of this mindset.

(I.M.) Because of the huge sums of money at stake in the film industry, do you believe that Harry Warner lived and practiced the quote It is not the challenge of dollars, it is the challenge of ideals and ideas. If the producers of pictures see only the dollar, I believe those production efforts will fail? How is it possible for a capitalist venture (for profit entity) to not be concerned with profit?

Yes, I completely believe that he was dedicated to using the power of this global communication tool he knew he had to share ideas and ideals. He felt film was an instrument of peace. He also was a brilliant business man, and knew that he couldn’t keep the studio producing these types of films without it being viable and profitable.

(I.M.) How did the brothers get the finances to open their first theatre in 1903?

With sheer chutzpah.

(I.M.) In all of the history that I can find there is no report of how the brothers gained the knowledge to actually begin producing films, and gain knowledge in the filmmaking process. Do you have any insight or knowledge of how they acquired these abilities?

By just deciding they could and would do it, and learning along the way what worked and what didn’t.

(I.M.) As Harry?s granddaughter, how has being part of the Warner family affected your life?

Profoundly! Having my grandfather as well as my mother and father be example of folks who care about what’s going on in the world and wanting to make a better world by their actions has greatly affected my life. It laid in a very important foundation for me. I’ve learned to welcome the responsibility that comes with being from a famous family.

(I.M.) Was there ever any resistance from the Warner family for your making this picture?

None.

(I.M) Harry Warner?s operations of Warner Brothers raised the bar of quality and expectation from movie goers in his time, do you feel that Harry may have opened the door to public service through the tools of media?

I can only hope so, and use this film to remind others who are making films that the viewpoints that come through their stories on the screen are assimilated like tunes that are hummed over and over again.

(I.M) Cass, you founded your own company and called it Warner Sisters www.WarnerSisters.com, how well was this received by the current Warner Brothers of the 20th century?

There’s not been any problem from this. In fact, the DVD of my documentary, THE BROTHERS WARNER, has been licensed by Warner Home Video and, Warner Sisters is soon to share a credit with the home studio on the DVD box. Meanwhile, the DVD can be bought on my website until March 9th.

(I.M) In your documentary you noted that Warner Brothers received disapproval for bringing sound into their movies through the Vitaphone technology, why do you think other studios disapproved of following this technology?

It was more about the fear of change, I believe. Silents seemed to be doing well.

(I.M) How well was the Brothers Warner documentary received in screening at international film festivals such as The Sedona International Film Festival?

I’m proud to say it’s been accepted in 34 film festivals and has won 8 awards.

(I.M) Will your company Warner Sisters be releasing any of their own movies or program shorts in the near future?

On Warner Sisters’ website , we have the DVD for sale as well as signed copies of my best-selling biography, THE BROTHERS WARNER as well as hour-long individual interviews with those I spoke to in making the documentary: Dennis Hooper, Debbie Reynolds, and many more. I continue to shoot my “Conversations” one-on-one interview project which will be available shortly as an inspirational series of very personal shared wisdoms, and I’m soon to have another book of all my grandfather’s quotes and speeches and never-before-seen photos available.

I’m delighted to say that I’m co-producing an A-list feature film called THE BROTHERS with the producer of LA VIE EN ROSE, Alain Goldman, which is being written by the very talented, Nick Pileggi (CASINO & GOODFELLAS). This is a dream come true!