Famous Players Film Company

Famous Players Film Company was an American motion-picture company founded in New York City in 1912 by Adolph Zukor in partnership with theatrical producers and theater owners Charles and Daniel Frohman. Its formation reflected an important transition in early American cinema: films were increasingly being promoted not merely as short visual attractions, but as feature-length adaptations associated with recognized stage performers, prestigious plays, and commercially meaningful stars. The company adopted the slogan “Famous Players in Famous Plays,” emphasizing its relationship with Broadway theater and its use of well-known performers from the stage. The company’s first release was the French production Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth, released in 1912 and starring Sarah Bernhardt and Lou Tellegen. Its first production made specifically by the company was The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Joseph A. Golden and Edwin S. Porter and starring James O’Neill. Although produced in 1912, that film was released in 1913. These early productions helped establish Famous Players as a producer of feature films built around recognizable literary, theatrical, and performance properties. Famous Players recruited heavily from the Broadway theater. Its roster included performers such as Marguerite Clark, William Farnum, Gaby Deslys, Hazel Dawn, and H. B. Warner. The company also featured Mary Pickford, one of the most prominent screen performers of the period, and gave John Barrymore his first two feature-film roles. Its output included both short films and longer productions, but the company’s strategic identity was closely associated with prestige features and the commercial use of major performers. In 1914, Famous Players purchased the former headquarters of New York City’s Ninth Mounted Cavalry unit at 221 West 26th Street in Manhattan. The large brick structure provided substantial indoor space for film production. The site was subsequently modernized and continued to be used for television production; it is identified in the reference material as Chelsea Television Studios. The company also expanded into Hollywood. In 1915 it established Famous Players Fiction Studios at 5300 Melrose Avenue. The studio’s first film starred Mary Pickford. The property later passed through several names and operators, including Clune Studio, California Studio, Gross-Krasne, and Producers Studios Inc.; it is now known as Raleigh Studios. The site is described as one of Hollywood’s oldest studio locations and has subsequently been associated with television productions including Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and Let’s Make a Deal. Famous Players Film Company ceased to exist as an independent company in 1916, when it merged with the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. The resulting Famous Players–Lasky Corporation became a major successor organization and later developed into Paramount Pictures. Famous Players therefore occupies an important place in the early history of the American studio system, particularly in the development of star-centered marketing, feature-film production, theatrical adaptation, and the movement of production from New York toward Hollywood.

Famous Players Film Company emerged in 1912 during a formative period in American motion-picture history. Its creation brought together Adolph Zukor, an influential film entrepreneur, and Charles and Daniel Frohman, theater owners and producers associated with Broadway. Discussions about the company took place at The Lambs, a prominent theater club whose members included the Frohman brothers. This theatrical origin shaped the company’s identity and commercial strategy. Rather than presenting motion pictures solely as inexpensive short attractions, Famous Players promoted films through the reputation of established plays and performers. Its slogan, “Famous Players in Famous Plays,” summarized this approach. The company sought to transfer the prestige of the stage to the screen by hiring performers directly from Broadway and by building productions around recognizable dramatic material. Early associated performers included Marguerite Clark, William Farnum, Gaby Deslys, Hazel Dawn, and H. B. Warner. Mary Pickford also appeared for the company, while John Barrymore made his first two feature-film appearances under its banner. The company’s first release was Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth, a French film starring Sarah Bernhardt and Lou Tellegen. Its first production made by the company was The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Joseph A. Golden and Edwin S. Porter and starring James O’Neill. The film was produced in 1912 and released in 1913. These releases illustrate the company’s early reliance on established literary and theatrical associations, as well as its interest in feature-length storytelling. Famous Players expanded its physical production capacity in 1914 by purchasing the former headquarters of New York City’s Ninth Mounted Cavalry unit at 221 West 26th Street in Manhattan. The building’s cavernous brick interior was suitable for studio work, and the site continued to have a life in screen production after the company’s own existence ended. Following modernization, it became associated with television production under the name Chelsea Television Studios. The company also participated in the emerging migration of American film production toward Southern California. In 1915 it established Famous Players Fiction Studios at 5300 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Mary Pickford starred in the first film made at the new studio. The property subsequently operated under a succession of names, including Clune Studio, California Studio, Gross-Krasne, and Producers Studios Inc., before becoming Raleigh Studios. The location is recognized as one of Hollywood’s oldest studio sites and later hosted television productions such as Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and Let’s Make a Deal. Famous Players Film Company’s independent life ended in 1916. It merged with the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, producing Famous Players–Lasky Corporation. That successor developed into Paramount Pictures, connecting Famous Players to one of the major institutional lineages of the American film industry. The company’s lasting historical importance lies in its contribution to the star system, prestige marketing, theatrical adaptation, feature-film production, and the consolidation of early American studios.

• 1916

  Merger creates Famous Players–Lasky Corporation

  [1]Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Famous Players merged with the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company; the successor later became Paramount Pictures.

• 1915

  Hollywood studio established

  [1]Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Famous Players Fiction Studios was established at 5300 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, with Mary Pickford starring in its first film.

• 1914

  Manhattan studio property acquired

  [1]Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Famous Players purchased the former Ninth Mounted Cavalry headquarters at 221 West 26th Street for film production.

• 1913

  The Count of Monte Cristo is released

  [1]Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org

  The company’s first actual production, made in 1912, reached audiences in 1913.

• 1912

  Company founded in New York City

  [1]Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Adolph Zukor formed Famous Players Film Company with theater owners and producers Charles and Daniel Frohman.

• 1912

  First release: Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth

  [1]Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org

  The company released the French film Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth, starring Sarah Bernhardt and Lou Tellegen.

A pioneering prestige-oriented film producer built around famous theatrical properties and prominent stage and screen performers.

• Film release · 1912

  Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth

  A French historical film and the first release associated with Famous Players Film Company. It starred the celebrated stage performer Sarah Bernhardt alongside Lou Tellegen, exemplifying the company’s strategy of bringing internationally recognized theatrical talent and prestige subject matter to the screen.

• Feature film · 1913

  The Count of Monte Cristo

  The company’s first actual production, made in 1912 and released in 1913. Directed by Joseph A. Golden and Edwin S. Porter, it starred James O’Neill, who was the father of dramatist Eugene O’Neill. The production reflected Famous Players’ preference for established dramatic properties and prominent theatrical performers.

• 1916

  Merge with Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play CompanyM&A

  Background

  Famous Players and the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company were both active in the expanding American feature-film business.

  Action taken

  The two companies combined to form Famous Players–Lasky Corporation.

  Aftermath

  Famous Players Film Company ceased operating as an independent entity. The successor corporation later became Paramount Pictures.

  Source

• 1915

  Expand production into HollywoodStrategy

  Background

  Famous Players was operating during a period when American film production was increasingly developing in Southern California. The company had already established a New York production base and pursued an additional studio presence in Hollywood.

  Action taken

  The company established Famous Players Fiction Studios at 5300 Melrose Avenue. Mary Pickford starred in the first film made at the new location.

  Aftermath

  The property remained part of Hollywood’s studio infrastructure after the company’s dissolution and eventually became known as Raleigh Studios.

  Source

1. 1Famous Players Film Companyen.wikipedia.org