First National Pictures
| Company type | Corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production and distribution |
| Predecessor | First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc. |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Founder | Thomas L. Tally, J. D. Williams |
| Defunct | July 1936 |
| Fate | Dissolved; assets distributed to shareholders |
| Successor | Warner Bros. |
| Headquarters | Burbank, California , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Jacob Fabian (Vice-President), Simon H. Fabian (Board member) |
| Products | Motion pictures |
| Owner | Warner Bros. (majority shareholder) |
| Parent | Warner Bros. (from 1928) |
First National Pictures was a U.S.-based film production and distribution firm. Established in 1917 under the name First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc., it originated as a coalition of independent American theater proprietors and eventually became the nation’s largest cinema chain. Shifting focus from exhibition to distribution, the company reorganized in 1919 as Associated First National Theatres, Inc. and Associated First National Pictures, Inc. By 1924, it ventured into film production as First National Pictures, Inc., emerging as a key player within the motion picture industry. Control transferred to Warner Bros. in September 1928, with full integration completed by November 4, 1929. Warner Bros. maintained the First National label for film releases until July 1936, when First National Pictures, Inc., was officially dissolved.
Early history
The First National Exhibitors' Circuit originated in 1917 through the unification of 26 prominent first-run cinema chains across the United States, ultimately overseeing more than 600 theaters, including upwards of 200 premier venues.
Initiated by Thomas L. Tally as a strategic countermeasure to Paramount Pictures’ dominance in the market, First National sought to independently produce and distribute films via a nationwide network of theaters. The company was co-founded in 1917 by Tally and J. D. Williams.
Its inaugural film release was the British production The Mother of Dartmoor from 1916. During 1917 and 1918, First National secured groundbreaking million-dollar contracts with renowned stars Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin, setting new standards for high-value talent agreements in the industry.
Chaplin’s contract permitted flexible scheduling for his projects; however, delays on The Kid caused apprehension among theater owners. After visiting Chaplin’s studio, their confidence was restored, and the film went on to achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success.
By distributing films from independent producers, First National played a pivotal role in launching careers such as that of Louis B. Mayer. The company reincorporated in 1919 as Associated First National Pictures, Inc., encompassing approximately 5,000 independent theater owners as members.
In 1924, expanding into film production led to its rebranding as First National Pictures, Inc., and by 1926 it had developed a sprawling 62-acre studio complex in Burbank, California. Industry observers criticized the combined control over production, distribution, and exhibition held by MGM, Paramount, and First National as monopolistic practices.
Jacob Fabian, an influential figure in large-scale theater development and an original franchisee based in New Jersey, served as Vice-President of Associated First National Pictures Producers. In 1926, Fabian and his sons acquired a substantial stake in West Coast Theatres, Inc.
That same year witnessed a merger with the Stanley Company under Jules E. Mastbaum, resulting in the formation of the Stanley Company of America—a continuous chain of theaters stretching from Massachusetts to Virginia.
Following Mastbaum’s passing in December 1926, a $100 million consolidation united First National Pictures, the Stanley Company of America, and West Coast Theatres into what became the world’s largest theater holding enterprise. Some venues were sold to Warner Brothers Pictures, who soon pioneered sound films with "The Jazz Singer" in 1927.
In July 1928, Jacob Fabian and his son Simon H. Fabian joined the Board of Directors for the Stanley Company.
Acquisition by Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. possessed 42,000 of the 72,000 issued common shares in First National, while Fox Pictures held 21,000 shares; the remaining 12,000 were publicly traded. Through this acquisition, Warner Bros. gained access to First National's associated theater chain, whereas First National obtained rights to Vitaphone sound technology. Both entities continued functioning independently. This strategic move positioned Warner Bros. as one of the foremost producers, distributors, and exhibitors in Hollywood.
On November 4, 1929, Fox divested its First National shares to Warner Bros. for $10 million. Following this transaction, the First National studio located in Burbank was designated as the official headquarters for Warner Bros.–First National Pictures. Thereafter, First National Pictures operated as a distribution label for a portion of Warner Bros.' film releases; in 1929, 45 out of Warner Bros.' 86 feature films carried the First National branding. By the years 1933–1934, approximately half of Warner Bros.' announced feature films were released under the First National name.
Both studios produced films with "A" and "B" budget classifications; however, Warner Bros. concentrated on high-profile productions such as costume dramas and musicals, while First National primarily focused on contemporary comedies, dramas, and crime narratives. Short films were developed by The Vitaphone Corporation, named after its proprietary sound system.
In July 1936, shareholders of First National—mainly Warner Bros.—approved the dissolution of the corporation and the distribution of its assets to shareholders in accordance with new tax legislation permitting tax-exempt consolidations.
Between 1929 and 1958, most Warner Bros. films and their promotional materials featured the designation "A Warner Bros.–First National Picture" within their opening and closing credits.
See also
External links
- Warner Bros. Archives at the USC School of Cinematic Arts
- The Lost Films of First National Pictures — featured in Lost Film Files by Arne Andersen.
- Articles with short description
- Entertainment companies established in 1917
- Mass media companies established in 1917
- Mass media companies disestablished in 1936
- Defunct American film studios
- Film distributors of the United States
- Film production companies of the United States
- Film studios in Southern California
- Defunct organizations based in Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Entertainment companies based in California
- Companies based in Burbank, California
- 1917 establishments in California
- 1936 disestablishments in California
- Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles
- Warner Bros.
- 1929 mergers and acquisitions