293:, Newman, Streisand, and Poitier formed First Artists with the understanding that they would have more creative control over their productions in exchange for being paid lower salaries and a share of the profits. Each star promised to make three productions for the company, which would also be involved in
359:
The company's initial output was sporadic, owing to the commitments of its stars, and by
January 1975 it had only made seven films. That month, Philip K. Feldman, formerly a producer and an executive at CBS, Rastar, and Warner Brothers, was brought in as chairman. He increased the development slate,
1215:
Paul Newman, Sidney
Poitier, Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, and Dustin Hoffman formed First Artists, and this was their premier offering. It wasn't as terrible a movie as the first reviews of it indicated, but since so much was expected, anything less than brilliance was a
343:
In 1972 First
Artists offered 350,000 shares to investors at $ 7.50. That year Dustin Hoffman joined the company, agreeing to make two films at no more than $ 3 million. He would have creative control, provided the film did not go over budget and schedule.
527:
On
December 31, 1979, the voting trust that ran First Artists on behalf of its founder‐shareholders expired and First Artists left the movie business. By this stage, the company's shares were worth $ 4 apiece. The company's last film was
486:
Feldman insisted that
Hoffman not make pictures for other studios until his obligation to First Artists was completed. Hoffman wound up suing First Artists for $ 65 million, claiming that he was denied creative control on
1349:
1339:
1319:
498:
In July 1978 the company acquired Joel/Cal-Made, a male clothing manufacturer, for $ 8 million. In
November the company sought to buy into a London casino but was unsuccessful.
308:
In July 1970 Patrick Kelly was appointed chief executive officer of First
Artists. The following year Steve McQueen joined the company. The company's first slate of films were
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1334:
1329:
1359:
1344:
1304:
1354:
1299:
868:
1314:
920:
Murphy, A.D. (October 11, 1972). "Hoffman Tie With First
Artists Prod. Unveils Four Stars' Internal Setup; Ali McGraw Got 300G For 'Getaway'".
524:(Streisand, 1979) was very successful. In September 1979 Philip Feldman resigned as chairman and president. The company was put up for sale.
569:
322:
664:
471:
38:
1124:
HARMETZ, ALJEAN (21 Mar 1979). "Sad
Hoffman Tells of Film Suit: Lawsuit Is Complicated Regarded as Irrevelant 'Bad Faith' Charged".
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616:
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282:
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772:
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and moved First
Artists into film distribution, television, and music to ensure a more constant source of income.
1324:
400:. "I consider him a member of the team," said Feldman of Cosby. Other films the company planned to make included
302:
177:
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316:
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took over the distribution of First Artists movies. First Artists sued National General, settling in 1976.
830:
421:
95:
600:
495:. Feldman counter-claimed that these movies had gone over budget and schedule, allowing him to step in.
347:
Meanwhile, First Artists' distributor National General Pictures went into liquidation. In November 1973
294:
475:, which tested so poorly that it was never officially released. When First Artists refused to option
438:
396:, who had appeared in three Poitier films, would produce and star in a film for the company called
1127:
922:
765:
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456:
305:, which would put up two-thirds of the money for a film, with First Artists putting up the rest.
17:
232:
more creative control over their productions, the initial actors who formed First Artists were
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with a Dutch conglomerate. The company also distributed some foreign films in the US, such as
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Feldman decided to supplement the company's movies with other star's films, such as
940:
Kilday, Gregg (21 Oct 1978). "FILM CLIPS: Hoffman-First Artists Tangle Continues".
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167:
155:
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980:
Lost Illusions: American Cinema in the Shadow of Watergate and Vietnam, 1970-1979
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813:
535:
233:
229:
113:
37:
393:
99:
46:
960:
Kilday, Gregg (18 Oct 1978). "FILM CLIPS: Dustin Hoffman Vs. First Artists".
483:
for McQueen, the actor sued the company. The case was settled out of court.
370:
228:
was a production company that operated from 1969 to 1980. Designed to give
1068:
Kilday, Gregg (10 Dec 1977). "FILM CLIPS: Taking Stock at First Artists".
1198:
1176:"First Artists Production Says Feldman Resigned As Chairman, President".
432:
would ultimately not be made.) First Artists shared development costs on
1257:
348:
1159:"California: First Artists said it seeks to operate a London casino".
534:. The company closed down a year later in March 1980 and was sold to
1109:
Kilday, Gregg (15 July 1978). "First Artists Wins Latest Round".
373:
at Columbia. First Artists became involved in the production of
73:
1048:
Kilday, Gregg (18 Oct 1976). "First Artists' Formula Altered".
834:— based on novel by George LaFountaine; eventually produced by
518:(Hoffman, 1979) performed poorly at the box office, although
277:
The company was formed in 1969 and was the idea of agent
301:, and recording. The distributor of the films would be
369:, originally developed for Paul Newman, and made with
258:
and the company's most successful film, Streisand's
983:. University of California Press. pp. 331–332.
209:
184:
173:
161:
150:
132:
106:
82:
66:
56:
44:
252:. Movies made by First Artists include McQueen's
869:"First Artists Star‐Crossed Child of the 1960s"
1350:Film production companies of the United States
1340:Entertainment companies disestablished in 1980
935:
933:
8:
1320:Companies based in Beverly Hills, California
30:
1365:Mass media companies disestablished in 1980
1335:Entertainment companies established in 1969
1330:Entertainment companies based in California
886:"First Artists Firm Names Kelley to Post".
994:"WARNERS TO HANDLE FIRST ARTISTS' FILMS".
36:
29:
1360:Mass media companies established in 1969
1063:
1061:
867:Hollie, Pamela G. (December 23, 1979).
848:
1345:Film distributors of the United States
1043:
1041:
862:
860:
858:
856:
854:
852:
7:
1305:1980 disestablishments in California
955:
953:
570:The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
392:In July 1977 Feldman announced that
323:The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
903:"First Artists' Initial Offering".
379:, was a distribution consultant on
1028:"FELDMAN NAMED TO ARTISTS POSTS".
25:
1355:Culture of Hollywood, Los Angeles
1300:1969 establishments in California
1090:"McQueen's 'Enemy debut a miscue"
285:with assistance from his partner
636:(December 1976) — with Streisand
581:(December 1972) — with Streisand
52:First Artists Production Company
18:First Artists Production Company
1142:"First Artists Acquires Firm".
289:. Inspired by the formation of
27:Defunct film production company
1011:"First Artists Settles Suit".
676:(February 1979) — with Hoffman
565:(December 1972) — with McQueen
557:(February 1972) — with Newman
340:were particularly successful.
283:Creative Management Associates
1:
1315:Cinema of Southern California
773:That Obscure Object of Desire
652:(October 1977) — with Poitier
620:(October 1975) — with Poitier
463:That Obscure Object of Desire
892:. 20 July 1970. p. e14.
684:(June 1979) — with Streisand
573:(December 1972)- with Newman
1034:. 16 Jan 1975. p. h10.
1000:. 26 Nov 1973. p. C22.
692:(March 1980) — with McQueen
668:(March 1978) — with McQueen
660:(March 1978) — with Hoffman
138:; 44 years ago
1381:
1235:. May 2008. Archived from
1229:"Looking at First Artists"
1165:. 3 Nov 1978. p. f18.
1017:. 28 May 1976. p. 10.
909:. 28 Jan 1972. p. 21.
604:(June 1974) — with Poitier
1182:. 1 Oct 1979. p. 33.
1148:. 6 July 1978. p. 7.
806:Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
722:First Artists distributed
612:(July 1975) — with Newman
589:(May 1973) — with Poitier
547:National General Pictures
385:, and did TV movies like
303:National General Pictures
178:Beverly Hills, California
35:
326:(1972) with Newman, and
1179:The Wall Street Journal
1145:The Wall Street Journal
1014:The Wall Street Journal
977:Cook, David A. (2000).
906:The Wall Street Journal
332:(1972) with Streisand.
715:The Paul Williams Show
665:An Enemy of the People
472:An Enemy of the People
469:In 1976, McQueen made
96:Hollywood, Los Angeles
1310:American film studios
822:— original script by
649:A Piece of the Action
601:Uptown Saturday Night
320:(1972) with McQueen,
295:television production
512:(Hoffman, 1978) and
314:(1972) with Newman,
1295:First Artists films
1239:on January 13, 2010
717:(1979) (TV special)
703:Flight to Holocaust
32:
1128:The New York Times
1031:Los Angeles Times
766:Pardon Mon Affaire
542:Select filmography
502:End of the company
457:Pardon Mon Affaire
448:; and co-produced
244:; later joined by
1162:Los Angeles Times
1111:Los Angeles Times
1088:(June 25, 1980).
1071:Los Angeles Times
1051:Los Angeles Times
997:Los Angeles Times
963:Los Angeles Times
943:Los Angeles Times
889:Los Angeles Times
625:The Gumball Rally
617:Let's Do It Again
609:The Drowning Pool
376:The Gumball Rally
223:
222:
154:Defunct; sold to
16:(Redirected from
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1325:Barbra Streisand
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864:
788:— from novel by
759:Distributor only
711:(1977) (TV film)
705:(1977) (TV film)
644:(September 1977)
445:The One and Only
299:music publishing
238:Barbra Streisand
146:
144:
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119:Barbra Streisand
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40:
33:
21:
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1204:CBS Interactive
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1095:Chicago Tribune
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845:
800:A. J. Carothers
798:— by script by
790:Sarah Kernochan
782:
780:Unmade projects
761:
724:
699:
641:Bobby Deerfield
596:
586:A Warm December
549:
544:
504:
434:Bobby Deerfield
366:Bobby Deerfield
357:
275:
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219:
216:Motion pictures
187:
180:, United States
166:
142:
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137:
136:March 1980
128:
102:, United States
89:
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78:
61:Film production
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28:
23:
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1274:
1273:External links
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1268:
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1233:Barbratimeless
1220:
1194:"Pocket Money"
1185:
1168:
1151:
1134:
1131:. p. C17.
1116:
1101:
1077:
1057:
1054:. p. e11.
1037:
1020:
1003:
986:
969:
966:. p. f17.
949:
929:
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895:
878:
873:New York Times
847:
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844:
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827:
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796:Fancy Hardware
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681:The Main Event
677:
669:
661:
653:
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637:
633:A Star Is Born
629:
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578:Up the Sandbox
574:
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558:
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521:The Main Event
506:Films such as
503:
500:
430:Sitting Pretty
414:Glenda Jackson
406:Darren McGavin
398:Sitting Pretty
356:
353:
329:Up the Sandbox
291:United Artists
287:David Begelman
279:Freddie Fields
274:
271:
269:
266:
261:A Star Is Born
250:Dustin Hoffman
242:Sidney Poitier
221:
220:
218:
217:
213:
211:
207:
206:
205:, Phil Feldman
199:Dustin Hoffman
195:David Begelman
191:Freddie Fields
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124:Sidney Poitier
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1279:First Artists
1277:
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1243:September 13,
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1113:. p. b5.
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1074:. p. c9.
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946:. p. b5.
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916:
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907:
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891:
890:
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875:. p. F3.
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751:Zero to Sixty
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657:Straight Time
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628:(August 1976)
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489:Straight Time
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477:Harold Pinter
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246:Steve McQueen
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226:First Artists
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203:Steve McQueen
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39:
34:
31:First Artists
19:
1258:
1253:
1241:. Retrieved
1237:the original
1232:
1223:
1214:
1207:. Retrieved
1197:
1188:
1177:
1171:
1160:
1154:
1143:
1137:
1125:
1119:
1110:
1104:
1093:
1086:Siskel, Gene
1080:
1069:
1049:
1029:
1023:
1012:
1006:
995:
989:
979:
972:
961:
941:
926:. p. 3.
921:
915:
904:
898:
887:
881:
872:
836:HBO Pictures
829:
824:Sandor Stern
819:
805:
795:
785:
771:
764:
749:
741:
735:
727:
714:
709:Minstrel Man
708:
702:
687:
679:
671:
663:
655:
647:
639:
631:
623:
615:
607:
599:
594:Warner Bros.
584:
576:
568:
560:
554:Pocket Money
552:
529:
526:
519:
513:
507:
505:
497:
492:
488:
485:
480:
470:
468:
461:
455:
449:
443:
439:The Gauntlet
437:
433:
429:
425:
417:
409:
401:
397:
391:
387:Minstrel Man
386:
380:
374:
364:
362:
358:
355:Phil Feldman
346:
342:
337:
333:
327:
321:
315:
311:Pocket Money
309:
307:
276:
259:
253:
225:
224:
174:Headquarters
168:Warner Bros.
156:Warner Bros.
57:Company type
1126:Special to
814:Cole Porter
808:— based on
562:The Getaway
536:Warner Bros
422:Bert Gordon
334:The Getaway
317:The Getaway
255:The Getaway
234:Paul Newman
230:movie stars
114:Paul Newman
1289:Categories
1259:Flashpoint
843:References
831:Flashpoint
786:Dry Hustle
394:Bill Cosby
273:Beginnings
186:Key people
100:California
47:Trade name
729:Speedtrap
697:TV Movies
481:Old Times
451:Speedtrap
426:Devilfish
418:Devilfish
371:Al Pacino
162:Successor
1216:letdown.
1199:TV Guide
810:the song
689:Tom Horn
531:Tom Horn
382:The Ritz
338:Roy Bean
210:Products
165:Library:
107:Founders
67:Industry
1209:July 6,
923:Variety
838:in 1984
404:, with
349:Warners
268:History
143:1980-03
141: (
133:Defunct
88: (
83:Founded
1281:at BFI
826:(1977)
820:Tramps
816:(1977)
802:(1977)
792:(1977)
754:(1978)
746:(1978)
743:Stevie
738:(1978)
736:Snatch
732:(1977)
673:Agatha
515:Agatha
493:Agatha
442:, and
416:, and
410:Stevie
240:, and
420:with
412:with
1264:IMDb
1245:2012
1211:2018
491:and
460:and
428:and
402:Repo
336:and
248:and
151:Fate
90:1969
86:1969
74:Film
1262:at
812:by
479:'s
424:. (
281:of
94:in
1291::
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