It was Disney old home week at a tribute on Wednesday night to Dick Cook, a 38-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company who was moved aside as studio chief to make way for Rich Ross more than a year ago.
But Cook spent many years in exhibition, and he is a beloved and familiar presence in the exhibition community. So CinemaCon (previously ShoWest) decided to throw a party in his honor, even if Disney wouldn’t.
Everybody showed up for Dick Cook – including people who officially can't stand each other. Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner sipped a drink at the VIP cocktail party near DreamWorks Animation (and former Disney studio chief) Jeffrey Katzenberg, managing to momentarily forget that he lost a $280 million lawsuit to him.