The Brothers Warner
The Story of the Original Film Makers
A Film by Cass Warner
The Brothers Warner
The Project
The Brothers Warner (www.thebrotherswarner.com) is an intimate portrait of the four film pioneers who
founded and ran Warner Bros. for over 50 years that was produced by Warner Sisters
(www.warnersisters.com). This feature documentary runs 60 minutes and aired on PBS American Masters
Series September 2008 – September 2010 and is currently being offered worldwide by Warner Home
Video for DVD distribution.
This is the inside story of the little known major player in the Warner Bros. studio legend, Harry Warner,
honest Abe, visionary Sam, and volatile Jack — the original Hollywood independent filmmakers. This closeknit band of brothers was the first to use mass media to “educate, entertain, and enlighten.”
Their legendary scrappy rise from nothing, their overcoming of personal tragedies, and their battles are all
woven together with the times they lived in. From opening their first storefront theater by hanging a sheet
on the wall and borrowing chairs from a funeral parlor to creating one of the top studios in America, four
brothers built an empire on a dream and revolutionized Hollywood creating the first major studio with a
social conscience.
The Brothers Warner
The Warner Bros. Brand
 A brand name synonymous with the motion picture industry
 Evokes images of swash-buckling heroes, beautiful leading
ladies and glamour beyond most people’s wildest dreams
 Few really know much about the men behind the famous
moniker
 Cass Warner shines the spotlight on Hollywood's first
family. In doing so, she tells the little-known tale of not only
how they changed the film business forever, but also of how
the film business forever changed them.
The Brothers Warner
Director’s Statement
It was an especially hot day at my summer camp. As I stood
listening to my father on the phone tell me Grandpa Harry ‘passed
on’, a thud happened in my universe. I could feel myself grabbing
for fond memories that were turning from color to black and white
without the presence of my grandfather in them.
The last time I saw him flashed into my mind: He lay on a perfectly
starched bed in an anti-septic smelling bedroom. A mysterious
force drew me to him as if he were a candle in the dark. It was a
gentle force. His eyes were opened and moved to take me in. A
slight smile came across his lips. I watched his hand start to slowly
move across the sheet toward mine. My hand immediately wrapped
around his. The enormously kind look in his eyes embraced me as
it always did. I felt his grip strengthen transmitting and sealing an
important request — something of great importance was being
entrusted to me. I squeezed back. A promise was made!
It is a great honor and privilege to fulfill that promise with this film
and others that carry forward my grandfather’s ideals.
Most Sincerely,
Cass Warner Sperling
The Brothers Warner
Festivals
Winner
Official Selection

HBO Films Producer Award,
Savannah Film Festival

Best Documentary Award, Prince
Edward Island Film Festival

St. Louis International Film Festival




Bradford International Film Festival

Santa Barbara International Film
Festival
Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival

Sedona International Film Festival
Greater Reading Film Festival

Tiburon International Film Festival
Aspen Film Festival

Burbank International Film Festival

Cork Island Film Festival

Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival

La Femme Film Festival

Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival
ION International Film Festival

Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
Santa Fe Film Festival

San Luis Obispo Film Festival

Sheffield DocFest Videotheque

Mendocino Film Festival

Reel Women International Film
Festival

Hot Springs Documentary Film
Festival

Kent Film Festival

Biografilm Festival Int’l Celebration
of Lives

Award of Excellence, The Indie
Distribution Fest, La Jolla

St. Louis International Film Festival 

Moondance Film Festival Spirit
Award



Best International Documentary,

Falstaff International Film Festival,
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK

Best Documentary, International
Film Festival
Producer’s Documentary Award,
Paso Robles Digital Film Festival
Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film
Festival
The Brothers Warner
Accolades

“The Brothers Warner’ is a well-made, fascinating documentary. Cass
has not only honored her grandfather’s legacy with this work, she’s also
paid homage to one of the guiding principles of the four Warner brothers
who founded the studio by producing a film that will educate, entertain
and enlighten audiences.”
– Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment

“I was riveted by this story. It’s a wonderful, intimate, deeply interesting
film about the actual Warner brothers, illuminating the personal history
behind the studio.”
– Susan Lucy, Producer of AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS

“It was elegant, moving and walked the line between art, entertainment
and history - a true feat!. Your narration, family connection and moral
through-line made the piece unique and important. I know your
grandfather and all the brothers rest more peacefully after your effort.”
– Alan Adler - Viewer

“Thank you so much for one of the greatest documentaries I've ever seen
-- the one on your family, that preceded the final installment of the
Warners 3-parter. Bravo. So moving, and so well made. And you are so
lucky to have such treasured moments captured on film. “Thanks again
for such a wonderful evening of entertainment.”
– Scott Schechter - Viewer

What a great accomplishment! Thank you for sharing your families
history. The story kept me intrigued from start to finish.”
– Kim Brown - Viewer
The Brothers Warner
About Cass Warner

Cass Warner has the honor of being a third-generation filmmaker. Her father, twice
Oscar-nominated writer/producer Milton Sperling and her grandfather, Harry Warner,
was the President and one of the Founders of Warner Bros. studios. She began her
career sitting in on story meetings with her father and wandering the lot observing
the magic of this art form. After studying acting with the acclaimed Milton Katselas,
and learning screenwriting under the mentorship of her father and Howard Koch of
Casablanca fame, her production company, Warner Sisters, was born.

Cass carries on the original Warner Bros. motto--making films that "educate,
entertain and enlighten “ for which she has received the prestigious HBO Films
Producer Award. In addition to her own documentary film, among her credits is the
five-part American Masters series entitled You Must Remember This: The Warner
Bros Story narrated by Clint Eastwood.

At the top of Warner Sisters’ current development slate are The Brothers, a major
motion picture based on her book The Brothers Warner and co-produced with La
Vie En Rose producer Alain Goldman; Test Drive, an original comedy feature cowritten by Cass and Canadian screenwriter Kathy Slevin; Dennis Hopper: In His
Own Words, a one-hour event television special; and Conversations with Cass, a
series of one-on-one interviews with top artists and entrepreneurs on what it takes to
climb to the top of the ladder of success and remain there.

Cass calls Santa Barbara, California “home” and is the proud mother of four. One of
her sons is talented actor, Cole Hauser who has been in over 30 films.
The Brothers Warner
Contact Information
Worldwide Agent
Catherine Malatesta
President, Lawless Entertainment
Office: 323-201-2678
Cell: 818-259-5111
cmala@aol.com
www.thebrotherswarner.com