Buena Vista Distribution - Any historical resources?

[ultimatefilmfan]

I am searching for any official sources on the creation of Walt Disney’s distribution arm Buena Vista. The basics of Buena Vista’s beginnings are clear: it began in 1953, in part, as a result of RKO’s reluctance to release the True-Life Adventure series, but also because RKO’s distribution success and resources were dwindling after being purchased by Howard Hughes in 1948. Walt and Roy understood the benefit of Disney owning their own distribution company as it provided more control over their own productions (which now included live-action, full-length animation, and animated theatrical shorts etc). The diversification of Disney’s entertainment output finally made the ownership of their own distribution company a viable option. These expansions in media content also allowed the company to become a more powerful studio/company, more closely related to the models established by other major players within Hollywood (i.e MGM, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox etc.).

In one of the only direct quotes I have found from Walt, about Buena Vista, he described the distribution company as Roy’s idea, stating “I hope [Buena Vista] works out as he has planned it” (Gabler’s – Triumph of the American Imagination).

I am curious what resources you all have found on the creation and history of Buena Vista Distribution. Are there any books, press booklets, documentaries, trade journals, scholarly journals, or even unofficial sources that might better answer some of the below questions?

1. Why was the name “Buena Vista” (the name of the studios street address) selected over a more recognizable name more closely related to the Disney brand? Did Walt/Roy want to separate the studio from their distribution arm? If so, why?

2. What specific contributions did Irving Ludwig (President of Buena Vista – 1959-1980), bring to Buena Vista during his tenure? What policy changes or marketing campaigns did he contribute to or execute while President?

3. What specific benefits (outside of higher revenue returns) resulted from Disney distributing their own films? For example, were changes implemented in the types of productions made at the studio, because the studio began distributing their own film?

4. Were there any Walt Era (or pre-1979) films that were strictly distributed by Buena Vista, with little or no connection to Disney’s production studio? (i.e. earlier than Take Down – 1979, Running Brave – 1983 etc.) How and why were these distribution deals made? When did Buena Vista become a more mainstream distributor versus a distributor who released their own productions?

I look forward to reading what you (and finding any resources) all know about this frequently unreported branch of the Walt Disney Company within Disney’s history.

Also, does anyone know of another forum I might benefit from also posting these questions in?




Some sources I have already referenced:
https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/irving-ludwig/ <%22>

https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets- ... 117933621/ <%22>

http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief ... -2005.aspx <%22>

Perlmutter, David. America toons in: A history of television animation. McFarland, 2014.

Gabler, Neal. "Walt Disney: The Triumph of American Imagination (2006)." New York.

“Irving Ludwig—A Giant in the Film Industry,” The Film Journal, Vol. 83, # 11, Nov 1980, p. 10.

https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/gentle- ... ing-things

https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/15/arch ... -make.html

https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56116 – Take Down