Hit and Run

Hit and Run chronicles the rise and fall of Peter Guber and Jon Peters, who together ran Sony Pictures Entertainment from 1989 to 1994. The book traces their unlikely partnership from Peters' early days as a hairdresser to Guber's path through the entertainment industry ranks. Through interviews and detailed research, Griffin and Masters reconstruct the behind-the-scenes dealings and personalities that shaped Hollywood in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The narrative follows the massive deals, power plays, and corporate maneuvers that led to Sony's $3.4 billion purchase of Columbia Pictures and its aftermath. The authors document the string of box office successes and failures that marked Guber and Peters' tenure, along with the lavish spending and management decisions that characterized their leadership style. The book examines their complex relationships with other entertainment industry figures and Sony executives in Japan. At its core, Hit and Run is an examination of ambition, excess, and the volatile intersection of creative and corporate cultures in the entertainment business. The story serves as a case study of a pivotal period in Hollywood history when traditional industry dynamics were being transformed by global corporate interests.

Readers found this behind-the-scenes look at Sony Pictures detailed and comprehensive in covering the struggles between Sony executives Peter Guber and Jon Peters. Many readers highlighted the thorough research and interviews that exposed the inner workings of Hollywood deals and power dynamics. What readers liked: - Deep research and insider perspectives - Clear explanation of complex business dealings - Engaging narrative style that reads like a thriller - Reveals executives' personality clashes and missteps What readers disliked: - Too much focus on financial minutiae - Occasionally dry corporate details - Some readers found the tone gossipy - Dated references (published 1996) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (289 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (47 ratings) Common reader comment themes mention the book's value as a Hollywood business case study. One reader noted it "reads like a cautionary tale of ego and excess." Several praised the authors' ability to make complex deals understandable while maintaining narrative momentum.

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🎬 This behind-the-scenes exposé details how Sony Pictures lost $3 billion during its failed Hollywood venture in the 1990s, making it one of the costliest corporate disasters in entertainment history 📽️ Authors Griffin and Masters revealed that Sony executives were so unfamiliar with the movie business that they initially believed films could be manufactured like electronics, leading to numerous strategic missteps 💼 Peter Guber and Jon Peters, the producers hired to run Sony Pictures, spent lavishly on office renovations, including installing a private bathroom that cost $500,000 - more than the budget of some independent films of the era 🌟 The book documents how Sony paid $200 million to acquire Guber and Peters' production company, despite it having produced only a handful of films, including "Batman" and "Rain Man" 📚 "Hit and Run" served as a cautionary tale for other foreign companies considering Hollywood acquisitions, and its insights influenced how future international corporations approached entertainment industry investments