Barrie began thinking about becoming involved in movie production when producer Mike Frankovich asked Faberge 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. 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." "It's a diversification of Faberge and is strictly commercial," said Moore. Brut initially announced they would make five features and four TV productions. The features were Hugo the Hippo, then being filmed; Night Watch with Elizabeth Taylor and Laurence Harvey; A Touch of Class with Glenda Jackson; The Book of Numbers; and Getting Rid of Mr Straker with Roger Moore. The four TV productions were The Protectors with Robert Vaughn and Nyree Dawn Porter; Anita in Jumbo Land with Anita Harris; Rexford with Glenn Stanley; and The Whistling Wizard, a Bil Baird puppet show. The company decided to move into distribution as well.
First Films
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. Avco Embassy agreed to distribute the features. Production of Getting Rid of Mr Straker was postponed when Roger Moore was cast of James Bond. The company financed Miracles Still Happen and Welcome to Arrow Beach. The company had an early big success with A Touch of Class. In October 1973 Sammy Cahn joined as a creative consultant. In December Ross Hunter was appointed president. He signed a distribution agreement with Warner Bros.
Struggles
However Hunter left in April 1974. George Barrie moved into producing with Whiffs. Later films performed less well at the box office. Brut suffered losses from 1975 onwards. They made two TV movies, Sweet Hostage and Baby Maker.
Final years and current ownership status
Faberge reported in 1981 the company lost them in $5.4 million. Faberge sold their interest in 17 films in 1982 for an undisclosed amount to the Turner Broadcasting System. Its entire library is currently owned by AT&T's Warner Bros. through Turner Entertainment Co.
