USC Warner Bros. Archives University of Southern California

History and Founding

The USC Warner Bros. Archives (WBA) was established in 1977 when Warner Communications donated the studio's historical paper records to the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. The collection documents the activities of Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. and its motion picture subsidiaries from 1918 — the release of the studio's first major feature film — through 1968, when the studio was sold to Seven Arts. USC's Cinematic Arts Library manages the Archives, which are located in four large rooms east of the University Park Campus.

Collections and Holdings

The WBA is the largest and possibly the richest single studio collection of paper documents in the world, and the only collection to bring production, distribution, and exhibition records together to document the activities of a vertically integrated motion picture studio. Holdings include story acquisition records, production files, daily production reports, correspondence, scripts, financial records, distribution agreements, and exhibition contracts. The making of landmark films such as The Jazz Singer, Casablanca, and Rebel Without a Cause is documented from story acquisition through theatrical release, with contributions by actors, directors, producers, and writers traceable in the records. The collection also incorporates records of theater owners from the Stanley Warner Theatre Chain, acquired in the early 1990s.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The archive contains extensive documentation of how the Warner Bros. studio communicated with journalists, press agents, and trade publications throughout the studio era. Press books, marketing materials, and publicity records reflect the intersection of the film industry and media. Records of newsreel productions and other documentary film activities are part of the holdings. The archive is a primary source for the history of Hollywood's relationship with the press, censorship bodies, and the public sphere.

Access and Usage

The WBA is a publicly accessible research archive, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and accommodates up to three researchers at a time on-site. Research inquiries and appointment requests should be submitted via the online request form at the USC Cinematic Arts website or by email. The archive receives over 130 research requests per month from scholars, filmmakers, and institutions worldwide. Fee-based research services are available for those who cannot visit in person.