This month marks the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Commonly referred to as WB, Warner Bros. was founded in April of 1923 by brothers Harry Warner, Albert Warner, Sam Warner, and Jack L. Warner. For the next 10 decades the studio would make advances in filmmaking, while venturing into TV and animation.
WB’s history on the big screen is vast and full of important films, actors, actresses, and filmmakers. For this 100th anniversary blog, Reel Speak will recap WB’s history decade-by-decade…noting the best and notable films. It is this Blogger’s hope that this little venture into 100 years of film history will inspire others to take a similar dive; to explore the films of the past and appreciate the last 10 decades.
1920 – 1929
In 1927, Warner Bros. revolutionized the film industry with their first “talkie”, THE JAZZ SINGER starring popular crooner Al Jolson. As the first feature motion picture with synchronized dialogue and music, the big screen would never be the same again. Today, THE JAZZ SINGER is not looked upon favorably due to its usage of blackface, but it still stands as one of the most important films ever made.
1930 – 1939
The 1930’s saw WB embrace the wonderful world of color along with the spirit of adventure. Their shining moment was THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD in 1938, which remarkably feels like a modern film when viewed today. The film would make a swashbuckling superstar out of Errol Flynn and define the modern action star.
1940 – 1949
The coming of WWII didn’t stop WB from producing some classic films in this decade. In 1942 Humphrey Bogart helped deliver WB their first Best Picture with the heralded CASABLANCA. It was the second of a one-two punch for Bogart, who had starred in WB’s also-heralded THE MALTESE FALCON the year before. And not to be outdone, James Cagney sang and danced into American culture with YANKEE DOODLE DANDY in 1942.
1950 – 1959
The Fifties would see WB deliver future screen icons. Marlon Brando would star in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951), Alfred Hitchcock would direct DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954), Judy Garland would dance into our hearts in A STAR IS BORN (1954), director John Ford would launch the legend of John Wayne in THE SEARCHERS (1956), and James Dean would star in GIANT (1956).
1960 - 1969
Musicals were all the rage in the Sixties, and WB was on board all the way…producing MY FAIR LADY in 1964. Also in this decade, director Mike Nichols would have his feature debut, helming the multi-Oscar nominated WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. His film would win several Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Elizabeth Taylor. Other notables: BONNIE AND CLYDE and CAMELOT in 1967.
1970 – 1979
Nihilism and anti-heroes dominated the Seventies, and WB was in the thick of it with A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971), DIRTY HARRY (1971), and DELIVERANCE (1972). This was a big decade for WB, with hits such as Bruce Lee’s ENTER THE DRAGON (1973), the Oscar nominated horror classic THE EXORCIST (1973), DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1976), and ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976). WB would end the decade with a bang; launching the superhero genre with the magnificent and glorious SUPERMAN in 1978.
1980 – 1989
After bringing THE SHINING to screens in 1980, WB had loads of fun with EXCALIBUR and SUPERMAN II in 1981. They would win Best Picture with CHARIOTS OF FIRE that same year, and later make a star out of Tom Cruise with RISKY BUSINESS (1983), take flight with THE RIGHT STUFF (1983), and would send THE GOONIES into booty traps in 1985. Other notables in this decade were THE COLOR PURPLE (1985), LETHAL WEAPON (1987), FULL METAL JACKET (1987), and EMPIRE OF THE SUN (1987). They would close the decade with a pair of Tim Burton films: BEETLEJUICE in 1988, and BATMAN in 1989.
1990 – 1999
WB got serious again in the early Nineties, going gangster with GOODFELLAS (1990), exploring conspiracy with JFK (1991), and would raise the star of Daniel Day-Lewis in THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1992). THE BODYGUARD would be a hit in 1992, as would the Harrison Ford-led THE FUGITIVE (1993). They would bring us Michael Mann’s magnificent crime drama HEAT (1995), and blow us away with TWISTER (1996). WB would end the decade with a leap forward in visual effects with THE MATRIX in 1999.
2000 – 2009
High fantasy and big budget franchises would be WB’s calling card in the new millennium, and it all started with their eight-film adaptation of the HARRY POTTER series; an epic that is their highest grossing franchise. Clint Eastwood would deliver Oscar-gobblers MYSTIC RIVER (2003), and MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004), with the latter winning Best Picture. Christopher Nolan would begin a lucrative career with WB, bringing them a rebooted Bruce Wayne in BATMAN BEGINS in 2005, and the mind-twisting THE PRESTIGE in 2006. In 2007 David Fincher would explore true crime in ZODIAC, and Brad Pitt would play a famous outlaw in THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD. Nolan would end the decade with the towering Bat-sequel THE DARK KNIGHT in 2008.
2010 – 2019
Nolan roared into the next decade by making the time-bending INCEPTION in 2010. WB would then have two consecutive Best Picture winners with THE ARTIST (2011), and ARGO (2012). It would be the beginning of an excellent Academy Award run for WB, as they had a string of awards-gobblers such as GRAVITY (2013), HER (2013), MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015), Nolan’s DUNKIRK (2017), BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017), and the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga remake of A STAR IS BORN (2018). WB was now neck-deep in the superhero business, with WONDER WOMAN (2017), and JOKER (2019), the standouts.
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The recent decade has WB going through more downs than ups with several big-budget superhero flops. But the studio still managed to produce hits such the sci-fi epic DUNE (2021), and yet another Bat-film with THE BATMAN (2022). Despite their misfires in recent years, the Warner Brothers can look down at their studio with pride, as there are a good 100 years to be proud of.
