Barrie began thinking about becoming involved in movie production when producer Mike Frankovich asked Fabergé to make a mock advertisement for a scene in his film of The Love Machine. Barrie made an advertisement for a perfume, Xanadu. Sales of this shot up as a result of it being in the film.[3]
The company began in March 1972. Cary Grant was on the board of directors and Roger Moore was an ambassador at large. Barrie said in July 1972 "We're not in business just for Cary or Roger to make the films they want."[3]
"It's a diversification of Fabergé and is strictly commercial", said Moore.[3]
In October 1972 the company announced they were moving to Los Angeles and that Martin Rackin was appointed senior vice president. The first three films they financed were Nightwatch, A Touch of Class and Book of Numbers. They were working on an animated musical in Hungary, Hugo the Hippo and paid $500,000 to distribute Count Your Bullets. Barri wanted to move into television production and music, including their own music label.[6]Avco Embassy agreed to distribute the features .[7]
The company had an early big success with A Touch of Class.[9][10]
In October 1973 Sammy Cahn joined as a creative consultant. In December Ross Hunter was appointed president.[11] He signed a distribution agreement with Warner Bros.[12]
Fabergé reported in 1981 the company lost $5.4 million. Fabergé sold their interest in 17 films in 1982 for an undisclosed amount to the Turner Broadcasting System.[15][16]
^Haber, Joyce (Dec 3, 1973). "A New Horizon for Ross Hunter". Los Angeles Times. p. d17.
^"Film Pact Concluded". Los Angeles Times. Dec 26, 1973. p. d17.
^Norma Lee Browning (Apr 24, 1974). "Ross Hunter gets a brutal shakeup". Chicago Tribune. p. b12.
^Thomas, Kevin (Oct 7, 1977). "TV Movie Review: 'Baby' Unfolds Social Drama". Los Angeles Times. p. i29.
^"Business in Brief: Fabergé sold most of the assets of Brut Productions". Los Angeles Times. Jan 1, 1982. p. f2.
^"Fabergé Sells Brut's Assets". New York Times. Jan 1, 1982. p. 2.36.
^A. H. Weiler (Apr 15, 1973). "Hal's 'Follies': Hal's "Follies' Encore for Sarah in This Corner Our Guy Gallico". New York Times. p. 143.
^ abA. H. Weiler (Dec 23, 1973). "News of the Screen: De Gaulle's France In Documentary Ross Hunter Named Brut President Talent Hunt On For 'Ruby Red'". New York Times. p. 22.
^A. H. Weiler (21 July 1974). "News of the Screen: Woman Candidate Focus for Feature Holly, Rock Hero, Inspires Drama Chabrol Picks Family to Star Children's Theater Prepares 'Lollipop'". New York Times. p. 43.
