Film Booking Offices of America (FBO), registered as FBO Pictures Corp., was an American film studio of the silent era, a midsize producer and distributor of mostly low-budget films. The business began in 1918 as Robertson-Cole, an Anglo-American import-export company. Robertson-Cole began distributing films in the United States that December and opened a Los Angeles production facility in 1920. Late that year, R-C entered into a working relationship with East Coast financier Joseph P. Kennedy. A business reorganization in 1922 led to its assumption of the FBO name, first for all its distribution operations and ultimately for its own productions as well. Through Kennedy, the studio contracted with Western leading man Fred Thomson, who grew by 1925 into one of Hollywood's most popular stars. Thomson was just one of several silent screen cowboys with whom FBO became identified.
Herbert Banemann Rawlinson was an English-born stage, film, radio, and television actor. A leading man during Hollywood's silent film era, Rawlinson transitioned to character roles after the advent of sound films.
Thomas B. Ricketts was an English-born American stage and film actor and director who was a pioneer in the film industry. He portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in the first American film adaptation of A Christmas Carol (1908), and directed one of the first motion pictures ever made in Hollywood. After directing scores of silent films, including the first film to be released by Universal Pictures, Ricketts became a prominent character actor.
The Gamblers is a 1929 American drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring H. B. Warner, Lois Wilson, and Jason Robards Sr. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is considered to be a lost film.
Captain Salvation is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by John S. Robertson and released by MGM. It stars Lars Hanson, Pauline Starke and Marceline Day. On January 18, 2010 the film had its first home video release on the Warner Archives series.
Expensive Women is a 1931 American pre-Code film drama. It was produced by First National Pictures and distributed through their parent company Warner Bros. The film was directed by silent film veteran Hobart Henley and stars Dolores Costello. It was Costello's final film as a leading lady and star for Warners, which she had been since 1925. She retired to be the wife of John Barrymore and to raise their family. Costello would return to films five years later after a long hiatus and the end of her marriage to Barrymore, but never regained the luster she enjoyed as a Warners star.
The Misleading Widow (1919) is a silent film comedy directed by John S. Robertson and starring Billie Burke. The film is based on the play Billeted by F. Tennyson Jesse and H. M. Harwood and was produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Rose of the World is a lost 1918 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Artcraft Pictures, an affiliate of Paramount Pictures. It is based on the novels of Agnes and Egerton Castle. The film was directed by Maurice Tourneur and stars Elsie Ferguson.
Kosher Kitty Kelly is a 1926 American silent comedy drama film directed by James W. Horne, produced by Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (Robertson-Cole), and distributed by Film Booking Offices of America (FBO). It is based on the stage musical Kosher Kitty Kelly by Leon De Costa, the film stars Viola Dana.
Her Purchase Price is a 1919 silent film romance distributed by newly formed Robertson-Cole. It was directed by Howard C. Hickman and starred Bessie Barriscale.
Captain Blood is a 1924 American silent adventure film based on the 1922 novel Captain Blood, His Odyssey by Rafael Sabatini. Produced and distributed by the Vitagraph Company of America, the film is directed by David Smith, brother of Vitagraph founder Albert E. Smith. Early silent film hero J. Warren Kerrigan stars along with resident Vitagraph leading actress Jean Paige, who was also married to Albert E. Smith.
French Dressing is a 1927 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Allan Dwan and starring H. B. Warner. It was produced and distributed by First National Pictures.
The Heart of Maryland is a lost 1921 American silent film feature produced and distributed by the Vitagraph Company of America. It is based on David Belasco's 1895 play, The Heart of Maryland.
Salvage is a lost 1921 American silent drama film directed by Henry King and starring Pauline Frederick. It was produced and distributed by the Robertson-Cole Company.
Classified is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Alfred Santell and produced by and starring Corinne Griffith. It was based on a novel by Edna Ferber and distributed through First National Pictures.
My Four Years in Germany is a 1918 American silent war drama film directed by William Nigh, based on the experiences of real life U. S. Ambassador to Germany James W. Gerard as described in his book. It is notable as being the first film produced by the four Warner Brothers, Harry, Sam, Albert and Jack, although the title card clearly reads "My Four Years In Germany Inc. Presents ...". The film was produced during the height of World War I and is generally considered a prime example of war propaganda.
The Man Upstairs is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Monte Blue. It was produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. The film is based on the 1916 novel The Agony Column by Earl Derr Biggers.
The First Born is a 1921 American silent film romantic drama directed by Colin Campbell and produced by and starring Sessue Hayakawa. It was distributed by the Robertson-Cole Company.
Big Happiness is a lost 1920 American silent drama film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Dustin Farnum. It was produced by Dustin Farnum and distributed through Robertson-Cole Distributing Corporation.
The White Sin is a 1924 silent romantic drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Madge Bellamy and John Bowers. It was distributed by Film Booking Offices of America (FBO).
