MitchellD
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2001
- Messages
- 61
For some reason, Disney films never got the respect they deserve. If Mary Poppins had been produced by MGM, it would be considered one of the great musicals of all times. Because it was made by Disney, it is minimized as just being a childrens film.
Walt Disney, when he was alive, had a feel for the pulse of the family audience. He rarely made films specifically for children, he made them for the whole family. Unfortunately, when he died, the company's management was so afraid to change a formula that worked so well in the 1950's and early 1960's, that they lost site of what Walt himself never forgot, that his films must be relevent and entertaining to his audience.
At the time that Eisner was brought in, the Disney company was so far down on their luck that there was massive speculation in the financial press that the company was prime for aquisition, which would result in the studio being shut down, the parks sold, and what was left would be a video and licensing company. In fact, this was in the process of happening. There was a bitter board battle, where Roy Disney Sr. stepped down, Eisner was brought in, and an investment group dropped it's take over bid and their stock was bought out at a premium.
At the time Eisner was brought in, he was the right man for the job. He put together a creative team, cleaned house of the dead wood, and turned the company around.
Whether or not Eisner is still the best man for the job remains to be seen. I, like most members of this forum, don't care for where he seems to be taking the company. On the other hand, I don't count him out yet. Part of taking chances is sometimes you fail. A good leader learns from their failures before they become fatal to the organization.
/Mitchell
Walt Disney, when he was alive, had a feel for the pulse of the family audience. He rarely made films specifically for children, he made them for the whole family. Unfortunately, when he died, the company's management was so afraid to change a formula that worked so well in the 1950's and early 1960's, that they lost site of what Walt himself never forgot, that his films must be relevent and entertaining to his audience.
At the time that Eisner was brought in, the Disney company was so far down on their luck that there was massive speculation in the financial press that the company was prime for aquisition, which would result in the studio being shut down, the parks sold, and what was left would be a video and licensing company. In fact, this was in the process of happening. There was a bitter board battle, where Roy Disney Sr. stepped down, Eisner was brought in, and an investment group dropped it's take over bid and their stock was bought out at a premium.
At the time Eisner was brought in, he was the right man for the job. He put together a creative team, cleaned house of the dead wood, and turned the company around.
Whether or not Eisner is still the best man for the job remains to be seen. I, like most members of this forum, don't care for where he seems to be taking the company. On the other hand, I don't count him out yet. Part of taking chances is sometimes you fail. A good leader learns from their failures before they become fatal to the organization.
/Mitchell
