Frohman brothers
Encyclopedia
The Frohman brothers were important American
Broadway theatre
owners and theatrical producer
s who also owned and operated motion picture production companies.
The brothers were:
Originally from Sandusky, Ohio
, they developed a system of touring theatrical companies that would perform in various parts of the United States. They eventually made their way to New York City
in the 1880s where they set up offices that managed bookings for a chain of Western theaters whose operations extended through to California
. Charles Frohman became the representative partner in the Theatrical Syndicate
which created a monopoly
in 1896 that controlled almost every aspect of theatre contracts and bookings for the next twenty years. Daniel Frohman led the brothers business interests in a 1912 partnership with filmmaker Adolph Zukor
they named the Famous Players Film Company
. The new film production company made its first film in 1913, The Prisoner of Zenda
and the Frohmans remained involved until 1918 when they parted ways with Zukor after having been part of seventy-four Famous Players productions.
Once involved in the filmmaking business, in 1915 the brothers created "Frohman Amusement Corp" to be used primarily as a vehicle to make motion pictures from theatrical plays
on which they held the rights. A few months after this film company was set up, Charles Frohman died in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania
. Brothers Gustave and Daniel assumed control of the theatre operations plus the management of the film production company. Between its startup in 1915 and 1917, all of the company's films were directed by George Irving
. Until its dissolution in 1920, their film company produced twenty-one motion pictures.
Gustave and Daniel Frohman continued producing theatrical plays until the early part of the 1930s plus they managed their theatres until Daniel, the last surviving brother, died in 1940.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
owners and theatrical producer
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
s who also owned and operated motion picture production companies.
The brothers were:
- Daniel FrohmanDaniel FrohmanDaniel Frohman was a Jewish American theatrical producer and manager, and an early film producer.Frohman was born in Sandusky, Ohio...
(1851-1940) - Gustave FrohmanGustave FrohmanGustave Frohman was a theatre producer and advance man. He was one of three Frohman brothers who entered show business and he worked for most of his career alongside his brother, Charles Frohman. These two financed a number of theatre productions, often featuring African American actors...
(1854-1930) - Charles FrohmanCharles FrohmanCharles Frohman was an American theatrical producer. Frohman was producing plays by 1889 and acquired his first Broadway theatre by 1892. He discovered and promoted many stars of the American theatre....
(1856-1915)
Originally from Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
, they developed a system of touring theatrical companies that would perform in various parts of the United States. They eventually made their way to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the 1880s where they set up offices that managed bookings for a chain of Western theaters whose operations extended through to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Charles Frohman became the representative partner in the Theatrical Syndicate
Theatrical Syndicate
-Beginnings:One day, early in the year 1896, six men gathered for lunch at the Holland House in New York City. These men were Charles Frohman, Al Hayman, A.L. Erlanger, Marc Klaw, Samuel F. Nirdlinger, and Frederick Zimmerman...
which created a monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
in 1896 that controlled almost every aspect of theatre contracts and bookings for the next twenty years. Daniel Frohman led the brothers business interests in a 1912 partnership with filmmaker Adolph Zukor
Adolph Zukor
Adolph Zukor , born Adolph Cukor, was a film mogul and founder of Paramount Pictures.-Early life:...
they named the Famous Players Film Company
Famous Players Film Company
The Famous Players Film Company was founded in 1912 by Adolph Zukor in partnership with the Frohman brothers, the powerful New York City theatre impresarios. The company advertised "Famous Players in Famous Plays" and its first release was the French film Les Amours de la reine Élisabeth starring...
. The new film production company made its first film in 1913, The Prisoner of Zenda
The Prisoner of Zenda
The Prisoner of Zenda is an adventure novel by Anthony Hope, published in 1894. The king of the fictional country of Ruritania is drugged on the eve of his coronation and thus unable to attend his own coronation. Political forces are such that in order for the king to retain his crown his...
and the Frohmans remained involved until 1918 when they parted ways with Zukor after having been part of seventy-four Famous Players productions.
Once involved in the filmmaking business, in 1915 the brothers created "Frohman Amusement Corp" to be used primarily as a vehicle to make motion pictures from theatrical plays
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
on which they held the rights. A few months after this film company was set up, Charles Frohman died in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania
RMS Lusitania
RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown and Company of Clydebank, Scotland. The ship entered passenger service with the Cunard Line on 26 August 1907 and continued on the line's heavily-traveled passenger service between Liverpool, England and New...
. Brothers Gustave and Daniel assumed control of the theatre operations plus the management of the film production company. Between its startup in 1915 and 1917, all of the company's films were directed by George Irving
George Irving (American actor)
George Henry Irving was an American film actor and director who made over 200 films in his lifetime. Some of his best known movies were Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Hearts Divided, A Night at the Opera, Son of Dracula, Hangmen Also Die!, Once Upon a Honeymoon, and Maid's Night Out.-Death:Irving...
. Until its dissolution in 1920, their film company produced twenty-one motion pictures.
Gustave and Daniel Frohman continued producing theatrical plays until the early part of the 1930s plus they managed their theatres until Daniel, the last surviving brother, died in 1940.