all the shit happening at Disney...
Despite his frugality, Eisner was on occasion willing to take financial risks. After two other studios balked at the high projected costs, and even Diller opposed the project on financial ground, Eisner signed Star Wars writer George Lucas, director Steven Spielberg, and actor Harrison Ford to make Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. With $240 million in U.S. box-office receipts, it became a "franchise," a huge hit that spawned a series of highly profitable sequels.
[Eisner complained about Diller, "not coming to work before 11am". Katzenberg was often described as their "golden retriever"]
[Roy] was particularly upset that Walt would now claim ownership of the Disney name. It had been bad enough when Walt insisted on changing the name of the company from Disney Brothers Productions to Walt Disney Productions to reflect his creative role. Even so, Roy grudgingly acquiresced rather than prompt a showdown with Walt.
citing Walt's adage that the only publicity worth the money was free. When Tron finished its opening weekend in a dismal sixth place, Walker still refused to increase advertising, insisting that word of mouth would come to the rescue. Much of the $17 million cost had to be written off.
In 1962, [Miller] and Diane had watched To Kill A Mockingbird with Walt and Lillian at their home screening room. When it was over, everyone was moved, and Walt said, "I wish I could make movies like that." Even Walt had felt constrained by the Disney brand. As he put it in one outburst, "I've worked my whole life to create the image of what 'Walt Disney' is. It's not me. I smoke, and I drink, and all the things that we don't want the public to think about." Miller had vowed that someday he would make adult films at Disney.
Eisner soon experienced firsthand the fate of deposed studio heads. Michale Ovitz was at Eisner's home one evening when Eisner called Morton's restaurant to book a table, only to be told that nothing was available. "Let me call," Ovitz said, and quickly secured a reservation for Eisner.
"In Hollywood, you're only as good as your job," Eisner commented, sounding dejected.
