Albert A. Dorskind

A movie executive at MCA, in 1957 Dorskind negotiated the purchase of the big "back lot" from Universal Studios. (MCA bought the rest of Universal in 1961.) Included on the 378 acres of movie sets was a commissary, which was losing $100,000 per year. Dorskind was trying to figure out how to stem the negative cash flow when, while at the Farmer's Market one weekend, he saw tour buses unloading people. He got an idea: buses could bring in tourists at $1 each to see the movie sets. They could then eat at the studio commissary, bringing it more business. The Universal Studios Tour was born, and it was such a quick success the studio spent $4 million in 1964 on expansions and renovations, making the site even more popular. It's now a major tourist attraction -- and the price has increased to $47. Dorskind also developed part of the property into "Universal City", which includes the company's headquarters building, hotels, a movie complex, and the popular "Universal CityWalk". Dorskind died November 28 from prostate cancer. He was 82. From This is True for 28 November 2004 Suggestions for further reading: Fodor's Walt Disney World® with Kids 2010: with Universal Orlando and SeaWor... by Kim Wright Wiley Amazon Price: $12.23 Customer Review: The author of this book is a genius! Her insight is invaluable. We bought her 2006 book for our last trip and we credit the success of our vacation to this book and its spot-on advice. I can see that the 2010 version is just as exceptional, with l...   Universal Orlando, 2010 Edition: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Par... by Kelly Monaghan Amazon Price: $10.85 Customer Review: There isn't really too much to this book. A lot of fluff, but it is helpful since none of the other books are dedicated to Universal.   Universal Studios Monsters: A Legacy of Horror by Michael Mallory Amazon Price: $26.40 Customer Review: So, in times when computers and massive special effects seem to dominate movie making, taking a glimpse back to the times when real artists made real works of art. If you like cinema this book is one "must". These artists built hollywood and you have...   He Came to Rock Amazon Price: $29.98 Customer Review: Awesome book. very interesting read and worth every cent. some great photos in this book to. the dvd that comes with it is just like the pantera home vids only better. buy it. you wont regret it. long live the king of guitar. rip dimebag.   Universal Horrors: The Studio's Classic Films, 1931-1946 by Tom Weaver, Michael Brunas, John Brunas Amazon Price: $44.00 Customer Review: This is one absolutely unbelievable book. I think McFarland & Company publishes fantastic books. You check their website to see more interesting titles. Universal Horrors is one big book with many pages of fantastic texts. It covers every movie start...   Newsfeed display by CaRP

About the HUs About This is True Subscribe Free to This is True Your e-mail: Find by name/keyword: Prev: The rational Ancel Keys Next: JPLers Jane Galloway, Kerri Agey and Dorothy Forks Complete Name List

Copyright 1998-2010 ThisisTrue.Inc, all rights reserved. May not be copied or archived without express, prior, written permission. "This is True" is a registered trademark of ThisisTrue.Inc, Ridgway Colorado. 9184