A Hippie in the House of Mouse (Jim Henson at Disney, 1980)
- Thread starter Geekhis Khan
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Yep, thanks for trying for me @wietze, but that was me going by memory rather than doing the frackin' research.
It should be noted, though, that this attitude towards gays and lesbians wasn't entirely unanimous; in 1982, Wisconsin, of all states, became the first state to pass laws banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, housing, education, credit, and all public accommodations. And it was the Republican governor of Wisconsin, Lee S. Dreyfus, who signed it (and keep in mind that this was a few years before gay rights became a nationwide issue) (1)...
And there were notable gay rights activists (including Larry Kramer) and gay-supporting activists trying to bring awareness to the issue. With regards to the United Kingdom, it was in 1987 that the infamous Section 28 law was passed (it would be repealed in the early 2000s (2)--and it should be noted that there was opposition to it at the time it passed, with Tony Benn being a notable example)...
(1) Wisconsin, it should be noted, is a politically bipolar state; it has had politicians like Robert La Follette, Russ Feingold, and Tammy Baldwin (who was the first openly lesbian Congresswoman and became the first openly lesbian Senator in 2012--a position she still holds today), but it has also had politicians like Joseph McCarthy (3), Scott Walker, and Ron Johnson...
(2) Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron apologized in 2009 (before he became PM) for his party supporting the law. In 2013, as Prime Minister, his government legalized gay marriage in England and Wales.
(3) It should be noted that, from 1948 to 1960, Milwaukee had a Socialist mayor, Frank Paul Zeidler (who was one of three Socialist mayors of Milwaukee (4) and the most recent one), which is one reason some Milwaukee residents have a mixed opinion of Laverne and Shirley and Happy Days, which portrays Milwaukee as a typical American city in the 1950s.
(4) Thanks, Alice Cooper and Wayne's World!!!
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Stupid me I thought Raspberry Sorbet was a Weird Al parody but it's actually a Prince parody with the Muppets. Maybe it is a Weird Al song ITTL.
Huh, first time I've seen that happen.
Reminds me of one textbook I had that included a prank: a footnote on page X read something like "For more information see page Y"; while a footnote on page Y read "Refer back to page X". How it snuck past the editors I will never know.
Reminds me of a joke in the glossary from Science Made Stupid:
Circular Reasoning: see Reasoning, Circular.
[...]
Reasoning, Circular: see Circular Reasoning.
Movie Reviews Spring 1984
Fantasia’s Ladyhawke Struggles to Find an Audience
The Hollywood Reporter, March 3rd, 1984
After a long string of hits, it’s only natural that there will be strike-outs. Fantasia Films’ latest release, the Richard Donner helmed Ladyhawke, is struggling to find an audience and will be lucky to break even against its $20 million budget[1]. Despite good reviews and favorable reactions from those who have seen it, the fantasy epic staring Kurt Russell, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Mathew Broderick, with an original score by Elmer Bernstein, has not been putting people into seats. Perhaps the borderline-self-aware script is clashing with the high fantasy setting? Perhaps after a long string of post-Conan fantasies audiences are just apathetic to the genre? Whatever the cause, it marks a rare miss for the resurgent Walt Disney Studios. And with ACC looking to take over the venerable studio in a hostile bid, any box office bad news couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Critics Love Beverly Hills Cop, but Audiences are Anemic
From Hollywood Reporter, March 24th, 1984
This spring one name is on every critic’s lips: Axel Foley. Critics almost universally love the police comedy Beverly Hills Cop starring Mickey Roarke as a Detroit Cop who ends up in Beverly Hills, California, attempting to solve the murder of his former partner. Between Roarke’s subtle depth and a whimsical script, the film has received near universal praise from critics. However, it has failed to connect with audiences. Attendance has been anemic and the film looks set to underperform[2]. Few will fault the acting or directing and the concept is enjoyable, so it’s hard to point a finger at exactly why the film is failing to connect to audiences. “Early movies are hard to sell,” said producer Don Simpson, offering one possibility, but others aren’t buying it. “Our Police Academy is killing them,” said producer Alan Ladd. “Seriously, what do audiences want to see, a fish out of water story loaded with social satire, or a zany, sexy, romp?” Beverly Hills Cop also faces stiff competition from another venue, Hyperion’s new Splash starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. “It appears audiences just want mindless escapism, not charming performances from talented actors,” said co-producer Jerry Bruckheimer with a sigh.
Little Mermaid, Big Box Office, Too Late?
From Hollywood Reporter, April 14th, 1984
It’s fun, it’s sexy, it’s funny…and for its studio it may be too late. Hyperion Pictures’ second outing, Splash, is performing exceptionally well at the box office, validating CEO Ron Miller’s decision to launch the adult-oriented label for Disney. Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy are putting out stellar performances and director Marvin Chomsky has crafted a tight and light picture that is resonating with audiences and critics alike. And yet, for all of its success, Splash may have come too late to save the struggling studio. Walt Disney Productions, with stock prices languishing after over a decade of decline, despite the infusion of new blood via Jim Henson, has been caught straight in the crosshairs of investor Robert Holes à Court, who hopes to add Disney’s name, studios, and film library to his growing media empire in a leveraged buyout. Oddsmakers aren’t too confident that the venerable studio will make it through. Could Splash be the swan song for Walt’s once-beloved company? Only time will tell. And whether Splash marks the triumphant beginning of a new era in Walt Disney or simply the last gasp of an Old Hollywood icon remains to be seen.
[1] Released a year earlier than in our timeline. Richard Donner had been attempting to make this movie for years. In our timeline he finally got Warner and Fox to take it on in 1985. Here he gets Disney to produce it a year earlier.
[2] It will make about $26 million against a $15 million budget, but go on to perform well on home video. It is largely seen today as an underappreciated gem. In an odd butterfly, since they manage to keep Roarke they will never pitch the idea to Sylvester Stallone, so Stallone will never feel the need to rewrite the screenplay to better “fit” his casting, meaning that Cobra (1986) will never exist in this timeline.
The Hollywood Reporter, March 3rd, 1984
After a long string of hits, it’s only natural that there will be strike-outs. Fantasia Films’ latest release, the Richard Donner helmed Ladyhawke, is struggling to find an audience and will be lucky to break even against its $20 million budget[1]. Despite good reviews and favorable reactions from those who have seen it, the fantasy epic staring Kurt Russell, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Mathew Broderick, with an original score by Elmer Bernstein, has not been putting people into seats. Perhaps the borderline-self-aware script is clashing with the high fantasy setting? Perhaps after a long string of post-Conan fantasies audiences are just apathetic to the genre? Whatever the cause, it marks a rare miss for the resurgent Walt Disney Studios. And with ACC looking to take over the venerable studio in a hostile bid, any box office bad news couldn’t have come at a worse time.
* * *
Critics Love Beverly Hills Cop, but Audiences are Anemic
From Hollywood Reporter, March 24th, 1984
This spring one name is on every critic’s lips: Axel Foley. Critics almost universally love the police comedy Beverly Hills Cop starring Mickey Roarke as a Detroit Cop who ends up in Beverly Hills, California, attempting to solve the murder of his former partner. Between Roarke’s subtle depth and a whimsical script, the film has received near universal praise from critics. However, it has failed to connect with audiences. Attendance has been anemic and the film looks set to underperform[2]. Few will fault the acting or directing and the concept is enjoyable, so it’s hard to point a finger at exactly why the film is failing to connect to audiences. “Early movies are hard to sell,” said producer Don Simpson, offering one possibility, but others aren’t buying it. “Our Police Academy is killing them,” said producer Alan Ladd. “Seriously, what do audiences want to see, a fish out of water story loaded with social satire, or a zany, sexy, romp?” Beverly Hills Cop also faces stiff competition from another venue, Hyperion’s new Splash starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. “It appears audiences just want mindless escapism, not charming performances from talented actors,” said co-producer Jerry Bruckheimer with a sigh.
* * *
Little Mermaid, Big Box Office, Too Late?
From Hollywood Reporter, April 14th, 1984
It’s fun, it’s sexy, it’s funny…and for its studio it may be too late. Hyperion Pictures’ second outing, Splash, is performing exceptionally well at the box office, validating CEO Ron Miller’s decision to launch the adult-oriented label for Disney. Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy are putting out stellar performances and director Marvin Chomsky has crafted a tight and light picture that is resonating with audiences and critics alike. And yet, for all of its success, Splash may have come too late to save the struggling studio. Walt Disney Productions, with stock prices languishing after over a decade of decline, despite the infusion of new blood via Jim Henson, has been caught straight in the crosshairs of investor Robert Holes à Court, who hopes to add Disney’s name, studios, and film library to his growing media empire in a leveraged buyout. Oddsmakers aren’t too confident that the venerable studio will make it through. Could Splash be the swan song for Walt’s once-beloved company? Only time will tell. And whether Splash marks the triumphant beginning of a new era in Walt Disney or simply the last gasp of an Old Hollywood icon remains to be seen.
[1] Released a year earlier than in our timeline. Richard Donner had been attempting to make this movie for years. In our timeline he finally got Warner and Fox to take it on in 1985. Here he gets Disney to produce it a year earlier.
[2] It will make about $26 million against a $15 million budget, but go on to perform well on home video. It is largely seen today as an underappreciated gem. In an odd butterfly, since they manage to keep Roarke they will never pitch the idea to Sylvester Stallone, so Stallone will never feel the need to rewrite the screenplay to better “fit” his casting, meaning that Cobra (1986) will never exist in this timeline.
Ladyhawe is indeed a odd movie- not surprised it struggles here.
Beverley Hills Cop without Murphy? I can that not being as hip and cool. What’s Murphy up to anyways?
Splash? At least it’s a success I guess? Didn’t like that film.
Thank you for ditching Cobra!
How are the press treating the buy out attempt overall? Is the analysis suggesting it’s a good or bad thing?
Nice chapter @Geekhis Khan
Beverley Hills Cop without Murphy? I can that not being as hip and cool. What’s Murphy up to anyways?
Splash? At least it’s a success I guess? Didn’t like that film.
Thank you for ditching Cobra!
How are the press treating the buy out attempt overall? Is the analysis suggesting it’s a good or bad thing?
Nice chapter @Geekhis Khan
No Cobra and no Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop--that's interesting...
Wait a minute, @Ogrebear--according to the Ghostbusters trivia page on tvtropes.org, Eddie Murphy was supposed to play Winston Zeddemore (played by Ernie Hudson IOTL) in Ghostbusters, but he had to turn it down due to his filming commitments with Beverly Hills Cop; without those, Murphy joins Ghostbusters. Also according to tvtropes.org, Winston was supposed to be in more of the film than OTL (he would have gotten slimed at the hotel, rather than Bill Murray's character)...
Am I right, @Geekhis Khan; if this is true, I think we have found what saves Disney from the hostile bid ITTL--the success of Ghostbusters (because it's almost certainly going to be a smash, IMO)...
Oh, and there is a correction that needs to be made, @Geekhis Khan--in your Muppet Show Guest Stars update, it's supposed to be John Belushi, not Jim Belushi...
Wait a minute, @Ogrebear--according to the Ghostbusters trivia page on tvtropes.org, Eddie Murphy was supposed to play Winston Zeddemore (played by Ernie Hudson IOTL) in Ghostbusters, but he had to turn it down due to his filming commitments with Beverly Hills Cop; without those, Murphy joins Ghostbusters. Also according to tvtropes.org, Winston was supposed to be in more of the film than OTL (he would have gotten slimed at the hotel, rather than Bill Murray's character)...
Am I right, @Geekhis Khan; if this is true, I think we have found what saves Disney from the hostile bid ITTL--the success of Ghostbusters (because it's almost certainly going to be a smash, IMO)...
Oh, and there is a correction that needs to be made, @Geekhis Khan--in your Muppet Show Guest Stars update, it's supposed to be John Belushi, not Jim Belushi...
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Now that we're on the subject of movies @Geekhis Khan, what of Little Shop of Horrors and Labyrinth? Jim Henson and Frank Oz were heavily involved with their creation OTL and may be ITTL.
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Ladyhawke would need a very specific time and place to be a success, I think. Just the right zeitgeist. Splash by comparison hit the zeitgeist bullseye. I have no opinions on Cobra...just collateral damage as it were. BHC with Roarke will be somewhat darker and edgier, but still a comedy. It will definitely lack the "hipness" Murphy brought to the role, but will be beloved in hindsight.
Murphy will show up soon. LSoH and Labyrinth will as well.
Also, all the OTL profit of Ghostbusters and Back to the Future combined (~$150m each) would buy some more stock for Disney, but not nearly enough for a controlling interest (~2 billion on top of what the Disneys and Henson own).
but success will drive up stock prices, which will also make it more difficult to buy a large chunk of stock for outsiders
You got rid of Cobra? Monster!
Also, those scenes from The Day After still give me chills... I'm the odd duck born after the Cold War who can watch gorey horror without flinching, but those 80s nuclear war films scare the sleep outta me.
Also, those scenes from The Day After still give me chills... I'm the odd duck born after the Cold War who can watch gorey horror without flinching, but those 80s nuclear war films scare the sleep outta me.
can you imagine how i felt when i saw it first on tv in the mid 80s? (i was in my teens then)
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marathag
Banned
Does this butterfly one of the last popular instrumentals, Axel F, to hit the top ten charts?
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