The Savior of Star Wars (article)

[Y3k Bug]

Found this article about the studio exec. who green lighted Star Wars. Kind of interesting, albeit not really anything to do with Blu-Ray other than potentially one day getting the film. Hopefully.

The Savior of Star Wars

For those who may be blocked:

The Savior of Star Wars
A lament you constantly hear in Hollywood is today’s lack of risk-taking, and how so many great movies from the ‘70’s wouldn’t get made today. As odd as it to believe, Star Wars was a risky project that no one knew the potential of until late in the game. Recently, Variety celebrated the studio executive whose faith in George Lucas got Star Wars made, and it would be just one of many film gambles he was willing to make throughout his career.
Alan Ladd Jr. is of course the son of Alan Ladd, and the offspring of the famous Hollywood legend has made his own place in Hollywood history. He joined 20th Century Fox in 1973, and became president in 1976. Fox had a number of ups and downs throughout its history, most notoriously with the big budget Elizabeth Taylor debacle Cleopatra, which almost put the studio out of business. By the time Ladd became studio president, Fox was back on the upswing with the success of Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie, and The Omen.