Brief Summary
This video explores the history and impact of Touchstone Films, a Disney label created in 1984 to release more adult-oriented movies. It covers the reasons for its creation, its initial successes and failures, its role in Disney's resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and its eventual decline and phasing out as Disney shifted its focus to big franchises.
- Touchstone Films was created to release movies that were more mature than those released by Walt Disney Productions.
- The label had initial success with films like "Splash" and "Down and Out in Beverly Hills".
- Touchstone played a key role in Disney's resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with hits like "Three Men and a Baby" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".
- The label was eventually phased out as Disney shifted its focus to big franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
- Touchstone's legacy is that it opened the door for Disney to create more diverse and daring projects.
Introduction: The Genesis of Touchstone Films
In 1984, Disney launched Touchstone Films to produce movies with more mature themes than their traditional G-rated content. Walt Disney had always wanted to produce more mature films, but his death in 1966 prevented this. The Disney brand was synonymous with family-friendly entertainment, but the studio recognized the need to appeal to a broader audience, particularly the growing teen market.
Disney's Struggle to Adapt in the Late 1970s and Early 1980s
After Walt Disney's death, the company tried to maintain its formula but began experimenting with riskier projects in the late 1970s. Films like "The Black Hole" (1979) were attempts to capture the success of "Star Wars," but they were box office disappointments. Disney continued to release family films but also embraced more edgy content to attract teen audiences. However, films like "Tex" (1982) and "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983) failed commercially, leading to significant financial losses for the studio.
The Birth of Touchstone Films: A New Approach
Ron Miller, Walt's son-in-law and president of the studio, recognized the need for a change. Disney created Touchstone Films to release adult-oriented movies, while family films would continue under the Walt Disney Pictures label. The name "Touchstone" was chosen to emphasize the reputation of quality that Disney was known for. The goal was to produce both adult dramas and teen movies, appealing to a more sophisticated youth market.
Early Successes and a Company in Crisis
Touchstone's first release, "Splash" (1984), was an instant hit, but the company faced an existential crisis when board member Roy E. Disney resigned, signaling turmoil within the company. Hostile takeover attempts threatened to strip the company of its assets, leading to Ron Miller's ousting and the appointment of Michael Eisner as CEO and Frank Wells as president.
Eisner and Wells: Revitalizing Disney
Michael Eisner and Frank Wells worked to save the struggling Disney Company. While "Splash" had brought Disney out of the red, subsequent films like "Country" (1984) and "Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend" (1985) flopped. The studio faced further setbacks with the failures of "Return to Oz" and "The Black Cauldron" (1985). Despite these challenges, Eisner and Wells persevered, forming Silver Screen Partners 2 to fund future Disney films.
Touchstone's Breakthrough with R-Rated Comedies
Touchstone achieved a breakthrough with "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" (1986), Disney's first R-rated film, which became a major hit. Eisner's strategy of hiring up-and-coming or formerly popular actors at lower costs proved successful. Touchstone signed Bette Midler to a multi-film deal and reached an agreement with Showtime Network to air its film library, significantly impacting Disney's future earnings.
Continued Success and Expansion
Touchstone continued its success with "Ruthless People" (1986), further solidifying its position in the adult comedy market. Disney created Touchstone Television in 1985, which produced hits like "The Golden Girls." Walt Disney Productions also began to see success again with films like "The Great Mouse Detective" and "Flight of the Navigator" (1986).
The Disney Renaissance and the Rise of Hollywood Pictures
Touchstone's successes, combined with re-releases of classic animated films, helped Disney achieve significant box office growth. By 1988, Disney Animation was making a comeback, and Touchstone released "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," a critical and commercial triumph. Disney created Hollywood Pictures in 1988 to release films similar to Touchstone's output, further expanding its dominance in the film industry.
The Peak of Disney's Success in the 1990s
The 1990s were a golden age for Disney, with huge hits, critical acclaim, and Academy Award nominations. Touchstone released "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), and Disney acquired Miramax. Animated films like "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," and "The Lion King" were massive successes. Under Eisner and Wells, Disney's revenue grew from $225 million in 1984 to $4.5 billion a decade later.
Tragedy and Transition: The Loss of Frank Wells and Departure of Katzenberg
The death of Frank Wells in 1994 created a power vacuum, leading to Jeffrey Katzenberg's resignation. Despite Katzenberg's departure, Disney's animation department continued its success, and its partnership with Pixar brought even more hits, such as "Toy Story" (1995). Hollywood Pictures and Touchstone also achieved critical and commercial success with films like "Quiz Show" (1994), "The Rock" (1996), "The Insider" (1999), and "The Sixth Sense" (1999).
The Decline of Hollywood Pictures and Touchstone
"The Sixth Sense" (1999) became Disney's highest-grossing live-action feature, but it also marked the end for Hollywood Pictures, which went defunct by 2001. Touchstone continued to produce films, but the film business was changing. Disney's animation department faced a string of flops, and the company lacked major franchises.
The Rise of Franchises and Eisner's Departure
Disney found success with "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003), proving it could release darker films under the Disney name. However, some grew weary of Michael Eisner's leadership. Roy Disney resigned in 2003, protesting Eisner's leadership. Eisner resigned as CEO in 2005 and was replaced by Bob Iger.
The Phasing Out of Touchstone
In 2006, Disney reduced its investment in Touchstone, opting to produce only two to three films per year. Touchstone Television was renamed ABC Studios in 2007, and the Buena Vista distribution name was dropped. By 2008, the Touchstone label was being phased out completely.
DreamWorks Distribution Deal and the End of an Era
In 2009, Disney announced a distribution deal with DreamWorks, with Touchstone serving as a distributor for their films. However, Disney shifted its business model towards big franchises, phasing out smaller films. In 2016, DreamWorks released their final film under the Touchstone label, marking the end of the studio.
Disney's Focus on Franchises and the Legacy of Touchstone
By 2019, Disney's theatrically released films were primarily part of existing franchises. While Disney saw success with Marvel, Star Wars, and 20th Century Productions, recent years have seen a decline in box office numbers. Despite its abandonment of non-franchise films, Touchstone Pictures played a crucial role in saving the Disney Company and opening the door for diverse and daring projects.
