# Grand National Films Inc. > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Grand_National_Films_Inc. > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Grand_National_Films_Inc..md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_National_Films_Inc. > Source revision: 1345506438 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Film production company}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = Grand National Films, Inc. | logo = | caption = | fate = Liquidation | founded = 1936 | defunct = 1939 | location = [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California), United States | industry = [Film studio](/source/Film_studio) | key_people = Edward L. Alperson | products = | num_employees = | parent = | subsid = }} '''Grand National Films, Inc''' (or '''Grand National Pictures''', '''Grand National Productions''' and '''Grand National Film Distributing Co.''') was an American independent motion picture production-distribution company in operation from 1936 to 1939.Fernett, Gene ''Hollywood's Poverty row 1930-1950'' Coral Reef Publications 1973 The company had no relation to the British Grand National Pictures (although the British firm used the American company's logo). ==History and releases== [Edward L. Alperson](/source/Edward_L._Alperson), a film exchange manager, founded Grand National in 1936 on the basis of '''First Division Pictures''', of which he was on the board of directors. What [United Artists](/source/United_Artists) was to major independent producers, Harry F. Thomas's First Division was to low-budget producers: a convenient releasing outlet for individual pictures, and successful within its own market. Its feature-length releases, usually produced by [Mayfair Pictures](/source/Mayfair_Pictures), [Willis Kent](/source/Willis_Kent), or [Bernard B. Ray](/source/Bernard_B._Ray), were split between westerns, mysteries, "problem" melodramas, and action fare. First Division was also the original distributor of ''[The March of Time](/source/The_March_of_Time)'', short-subject documentaries that were well received during their first year of production (1935); [RKO](/source/RKO_Radio_Pictures) took over the series after four installments. In April 1936, Alperson took over First Division's film exchanges, existing product line, and contracts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/NewSite/INDEX/COUNTRIES/US/HISTORY/STUDIOS/FIRST-DIVISION/firstdivision.asp|title = First Division}} The First Division name had become associated with low-budget productions, so Alperson renamed the company Grand National Film Distributing Company, aiming to release higher-grade features for independent theaters, just like fellow upstart [Republic Pictures](/source/Republic_Pictures). By the summer, he had begun development of a California-based production entity, Grand National Productions, sharing the production facilities of comedy-shorts company [Educational Pictures](/source/Educational_Pictures). By October, he had his first original films ready for release. Alperson created the studio's logo, a futuristic clock tower, with an idea to advertise "it's time to see a Grand National picture."p.41 Fernett, Gene L. ''Hollywood's Poverty Row 1930-1950'' 1973 Coral Reef Publications Producer [Edward Finney](/source/Edward_Finney), releasing through Grand National, gave the new company its first star attraction: [singing cowboy](/source/singing_cowboy) [Tex Ritter](/source/Tex_Ritter). The studio went on to produce other Westerns with established action star [Ken Maynard](/source/Ken_Maynard), and two brief series with newcomers: [singing cowboy](/source/singing_cowboy) [Tex Fletcher](/source/Tex_Fletcher) and singing cowgirl [Dorothy Page](/source/Dorothy_Page_(actress)). Apart from westerns, its most consistent talent may have been comedy director [Charles Lamont](/source/Charles_Lamont). Producer [George Hirliman](/source/George_Hirliman) made a few features in a two-color process that he labeled "Hirlicolor", similar to [Cinecolor](/source/Cinecolor). Hirliman also produced a four-film series starring his wife [Eleanor Hunt](/source/Eleanor_Hunt) and [Conrad Nagel](/source/Conrad_Nagel) as federal agents Reynolds and O'Connor. Silent-era star [Rod LaRocque](/source/Rod_LaRocque) appeared on a number of mystery films as the popular fiction and radio character [The Shadow](/source/The_Shadow). Producer Franklyn Warner made four well-received features for Grand National (as "Fine Arts Pictures") in 1938–39. The studio had an overseas distribution agreement with [Associated British Pictures Corporation](/source/Associated_British_Pictures_Corporation)"Edward L. Alperson Obituary" ''Variety'' 9 July 1969 and bought the rights to one British [Boris Karloff](/source/Boris_Karloff) film, ''[Juggernaut](/source/Juggernaut_(1936_film))'' (released by Grand National in 1937). In 1936, Grand National succeeded in signing [James Cagney](/source/James_Cagney), after he had a falling-out with his home studio, [Warner Bros.](/source/Warner_Bros.) After making ''[Great Guy](/source/Great_Guy)'' for Grand National, Cagney was offered a gangster story, ''[Angels with Dirty Faces](/source/Angels_with_Dirty_Faces)'', which Grand National had acquired. Cagney was worried about being typecast as a gangster, as he had been at Warner Bros., and opted instead for a musical satire on Hollywood called ''[Something to Sing About](/source/Something_to_Sing_About_(1937_film))'', directed by [Victor Schertzinger](/source/Victor_Schertzinger). The Cagney name was a huge coup for Grand National, and the company invested much more money than usual in its Cagney films, expecting a boxoffice bonanza. Despite Cagney's presence, however, neither picture turned a profit. The Cagney films were simply too expensive for the intended market. Grand National's customer base consisted of small, neighborhood movie theaters -- outside the major studios' theater networks, and accustomed to paying cheap rentals for low-budget films. Thus, Grand National was unable to recoup its investment, a key factor in the company's imminent collapse. The ''Angels with Dirty Faces'' property went to Warner Bros., as did Cagney himself. In 1938, film executive [Earle W. Hammons](/source/Earle_W._Hammons), president of Educational, joined forces with Grand National in an effort to expand both companies.''Motion Picture Herald,'' "Ample Supply of Financing in Sight: Hammons," Mar. 25, 1939, p. 34. The attempt was unsuccessful, however, and Grand National entered into liquidation in 1939. Its completed but unreleased films were sold to [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures), [Columbia Pictures](/source/Columbia_Pictures), and [RKO Radio Pictures](/source/RKO_Radio_Pictures). The Grand National film library was split among reissue distributors, chiefly Screencraft Pictures and [Astor Pictures](/source/Astor_Pictures). The Grand National physical plant was acquired by [Producers Releasing Corporation](/source/Producers_Releasing_Corporation) (PRC). ==Partial filmography == {{Main|List of Grand National Pictures films}} Grand National released a total of 100 films in its three-year run. Many of its titles have lapsed into the public domain and are legally accessible online. Following is a list of representative Grand National releases. {{div col|colwidth=33em}} * ''[Captain Calamity](/source/Captain_Calamity_(film))'' (with [George Houston](/source/George_Houston_(actor)), 1936) * ''[The Devil on Horseback](/source/The_Devil_on_Horseback)'' (with [Lili Damita](/source/Lili_Damita), 1936) * ''[Headin' for the Rio Grande](/source/Headin'_for_the_Rio_Grande)'' (with Tex Ritter, 1936) * ''[Lonely Road](/source/Lonely_Road_(film))'' (British, with [Clive Brook](/source/Clive_Brook), 1936) * ''[Great Guy](/source/Great_Guy)'' (with James Cagney, 1936) * ''[Trailin' Trouble](/source/Trailin'_Trouble)'' (with Ken Maynard, 1937) * ''[Navy Spy](/source/Navy_Spy)'' (with Conrad Nagel and Eleanor Hunt, 1937) * ''[Renfrew of the Royal Mounted](/source/Renfrew_of_the_Royal_Mounted_(1937_film))'' (with [James Newill](/source/James_Newill), 1937) * ''[Something to Sing About](/source/Something_to_Sing_About_(1937_film))'' (with James Cagney, 1937) * ''[Swing It, Sailor!](/source/Swing_It%2C_Sailor!)'' (with [Wallace Ford](/source/Wallace_Ford) and Ray Mayer, 1938) * ''[Here's Flash Casey](/source/Here's_Flash_Casey)'' (with [Eric Linden](/source/Eric_Linden), 1938) * ''[Mr. Boggs Steps Out](/source/Mr._Boggs_Steps_Out)'' (with [Stuart Erwin](/source/Stuart_Erwin), 1938) * ''[Long Shot](/source/Long_Shot_(1939_film))'' (with [Gordon Jones](/source/Gordon_Jones_(actor)), 1939) * ''[Exile Express](/source/Exile_Express)'' (with [Anna Sten](/source/Anna_Sten), 1939) * ''[Miracle on Main Street](/source/Miracle_on_Main_Street)'' (with [Margo](/source/Margo_(actress)), bought by Columbia for release in 1939) * ''[Isle of Destiny](/source/Isle_of_Destiny)'' (with [William Gargan](/source/William_Gargan), bought by RKO for release in 1940) * ''[Half a Sinner](/source/Half_a_Sinner_(1940_film))'' (with [Constance Collier](/source/Constance_Collier), bought by Universal for release in 1940) {{div col end}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.imdb.com/company/co0035646 IMDb.com: Grand National Pictures (U.S.)] * [https://www.imdb.com/company/co0103211/ IMDb.com: Grand National Films Ltd. (U.K.)] 01 Category:Defunct film and television production companies of the United States Category:Film distributors of the United States Category:Entertainment companies based in California Category:American companies established in 1936 Category:Entertainment companies established in 1936 Category:Mass media companies established in 1936 Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 1939 Category:1936 establishments in California Category:1939 disestablishments in California Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles Category:RKO General Category:Privately held companies based in Los Angeles --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Grand National Films Inc.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_National_Films_Inc.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_National_Films_Inc.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.