Jock Warriner


Just saw this flick on TCM and since this is an MGM film ,I'm guessing that the character name is a dig at rival studio Warner Brothers(Jazz Singer) Jack Warner.
Any one else notice and /or know anything about it?

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Not sure MGM would take a swipe at Warners in such an obvious way. I mean, why give Warners free publicity in an MGM film...?

Just my opinion.

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Jock Warriner didn't exactly come off looking wonderful in Broadway Melody (1929). He came off as a borderline rapist who used his wealth and position to get away with things most people couldn't. He preyed on working class women who were more easily manipulated and used them as trophies to show off to his buddies.

I know the character was meant as a Ding to Jack Warner since his official name as Jacques.

I supposed he'd look like a hero to men who are into that sort of thing.


No two persons ever watch the same movie.

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It was a dig at Jack Warner just as the cast of "Hollywood Revue" singing in front of Noah's Ark was meant to be a more subtle dig at Warner Brothers for their film of the same name made that year. "Noah's Ark" was a disaster as a part-talkie, although it is a pretty decent silent. Also, several people were killed during the making of Noah's Ark when the flood scene went wrong. John Wayne was among the extras who almost got drowned.

Likewise, Jack Warner took a swipe at MGM with the farcical number "Singin in the Bathtub" in the Show of Shows. Louis B. and Jack Warner hated each other, and I'm sure Louis B. would roll over in his grave if he knew that the entire catalog of films that he made at MGM would ultimately end up in the hands of Warner Brothers.

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Andy Devine was among the extras who almost drowned.

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I thought of Jack Warner also-- as well as the "Francis Zanfield" character being a somewhat obvious reference to Florenz Ziegfeld.

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