Sat Mar 18, 2017 10:54 am
Tino Balio clarifies the Disney incident in United Artists - The Company Built By The Stars. The split was partly over a more favourable distribution deal that Disney was seeking, but mainly over a much more esoteric matter: whether Disney would retain television distribution rights on their product. Disney was absolutely insistent that they retain them; Pickford was equally insistent that they belonged to UA.
Keep in mind that this was 1936, and UA generally only retained distribution rights for five years before they reverted to the artist. UA were ready to give in on such a minor point, but RKO had already seized the opportunity to make an offer that was too good to refuse. Thus Disney's defection became one of the few triumphs of Samuel Briskin's brief stewardship of that company.
There was also a stoush over who would distribute the remaining shorts to which Disney had committed under UA, with Disney offering to buy out the remainder. Pickford belatedly realised the extent to which they were contributing to UA's prestige, which was otherwise at a pretty low ebb at the time.
If they don't include Pickford's subsequent legendary fights with Sam Goldwyn, they're missing a great opportunity.