Fairbanks Senr. Forms New Production Company

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 14

Fairbanks Senr. Forms New Production Company

JAOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, SEN. anU nounces the formation of his new production company, Fairbanks International, the finance for which has been provided by Swiss, American and British interests. The American capital' is represented by the SelznickWhitney group, the British capital has been provided by Sir Adrian Baillie, M.P.,, and Mr. Montague Marks, and the third portion by a Swiss group. In addition, large banking credits have been made available by an important Swiss bank. In all, £500,000 is at the disposal of the company. Associated with the administration of Fairbanks International are Mr. Fairbanks, Mr. John Hay Whitney, Mr. David O. S’elznick, Sir Adrian Baillie, Mr. Marks and Mr. George Archibald. J.P. The aim of Fairbanks International will be to produce only films of international character either in England at Denham or Pinewood, in Continental Europe, or in America at Culver City. That is to say, in which ever country is most suitable for the particular production. Douglas Fairbanks will personally supervise all production, and will solely concern himself with the production activities of this company. The programme of Fairbanks International for the 1939 season will consist of three productions, the first of which, to be made at Culver City, California, is entitled “The Californian.” Preliminary arrangements for the casting of this picture were made during his recent visit to America. The scenario is now in the final stages of completion, and negotiations are being concluded with Raoul Walsh as director, so that shooting can begin immediately on, Fairbanks’s return to America. The second picture will be “The Tenth Woman,” a story based on an episode in the life of Lord Byron. This will be produced In teclinicolour. Then will be made “The Three Musketeers,” one of Fairbanks's early successes. This time he will not act, but will produce, and negotiations are proceeding for the services of three internationally famous stars. This will also be made in teclinicolour.

All of the company’s productions will be released through United Artists, of which Fairbanks is one of the five owners.