JACK L. WARNER: THE LAST MOGUL
US, 1993, updated and re-edited 2023, 100 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Gregory Orr.
This documentary, written and directed by Warner’s grandson, from Warner’s adopted daughter, tells a personal story as Well Is the history of the Warner Bros and the history of the studio. On the occasion of the centenary of Warner Bros, 2023, the director has re-edited his documentary and updated it. At the same time, there was a four part documentary series, The History of Warner Bros, narrated by Morgan Freeman, highlighting the different phases of Warner Bros, ups and downs, the range of movies produced, the various owners of the studios, the impact of television, a very complimentary documentary indicating that the studio had always supported casts and projects.
There are also some criticisms, especially of Jack L Warner.
This documentary is worth seeing insofar as it offers an entertaining story. However, there are a number of criticisms, especially of underestimating the clashes between the brothers, the character and behaviour of Jack L.Warner himself, the messiness of his first marriage, the alienation of his son who appears throughout this documentary. Another criticism is that it would have been very interesting to know more about Warner’s falling out with producer Darrell Zanuck who went on to 20th Century Fox and Hal Wallis who had a very successful career as a producer after leaving Warners.
The film is narrated by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. It has a great number of talking heads, stars reminiscing, authors who have written on aspects of Warner Bros history.
There is the discovery by the brothers of the movies, moving to Hollywood, the initial movie scene 1923, the risks with Vitaphone, the use of sound, The Jazz Singer, the successes in the 1930s and the gritty crime dramas, along with the clashes with stars about contracts, rebellions, as Well Is the fostering of stars like Errol Flynn. The film shows how Warner Bros adapted over the decades hiring, the moves to Seven Arts, changing partnerships and ownerships.
While there is the personal story of Warner and the clashes with his brothers, and glossing over of his divorce from his first wife, the strong presence of his second wife, his womanising, Warner, in retrospect, was the most successful and long-lasting of the initial Hollywood moguls, the Jewish refugees from programs in Europe, the new life in America, poor, business sense, success – and some fulfilment as well is contributing to the American dream.
