Biography
First National Pictures was an American motion picture exhibitor and producer. The company, founded in 1917 as First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc., was formed by 27 independent motion picture exhibitors. In 1922 it opened a studio in Burbank, California, and began producing its own films. Between 1920 and 1925 the company was known as Associated First National Pictures. In 1928 Warner Bros. absorbed First National by acquiring the Stanley Company, First National's majority stockholder. Shortly thereafter, Warner Bros. moved its principal production facility to First National's Burbank lot. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, First National was still considered a separate production entity and remained so at least until the early 1930s. Even after that, primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, certain Warner Bros. films were designated as First National productions and releases. The First National banner occasionally appeared on some Warner Bros. films as late as 1956.
