Chapter 164: Philadelphia

"Ah," Arthur propped up Winona Ryder from the ground with a look of contentment, "Shall we head back to the hall?"

Winona Ryder wiped the corner of her mouth, "I'll go ahead and make a quick call to Jessica!"

Saying this, she adjusted her clothes and took out a compact mirror to check her appearance.

"Alright then, I'll be back shortly," Arthur said, giving Winona's shoulder a pat.

Quickly back in the hall, Arthur grabbed a champagne glass from a waiter and began to drink.

"Good evening, Arthur," an older man approached Arthur and extended his hand, "I'm Martin Davis!"

"Martin Davis?" Arthur was momentarily stunned, then realized this was the chairman of Gulf and Western Industries, now known as Paramount Communications Group.

"Good evening, Mr. Davis," Arthur politely shook his hand.

"You've really made quite a name for yourself, leading such successful films," Martin Davis sighed.

Arthur smiled and complimented, "Paramount's Ghost was a global phenomenon last year. And films like The Godfather Part III, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were also very successful!"

Martin Davis shook his head, "Weren't those series concluded? Paramount needs fresh blood now!"

Arthur feigned ignorance, "What do you mean, Mr. Davis?"

"We'd like to invite you to join Paramount as the President of the Production Department," Martin Davis shrugged, "And naturally, Paramount Communications would also purchase your Galaxy company at a premium."

Arthur laughed, "Mr. Davis, are you serious?"

Inviting him to join wasn't enough? They also intended to buy his Galaxy?

Martin Davis nodded, "I'm very serious. We would also assume all of Galaxy's debts."

Well, Arthur thought Martin Davis perhaps didn't fully understand the current Hollywood landscape or the intricacies of the film industry.

After all, this guy was a major shareholder in Gulf and Western, with CEO Charles Bluhdorn handling the group management.

"Mr. Davis, right now, I'm solely focused on developing Galaxy," Arthur shook his head, "I'm not interested in joining another company, nor do I plan to sell Galaxy."

"Arthur, don't you want to hear my terms first?" Martin Davis looked confident.

Arthur glanced at Martin Davis, who continued, "The invitation would be similar to how Sony-Columbia hired Peter Guber and Jon Peters.

We'd not only purchase your company at a high price but also pay you a substantial salary and hefty bonuses. Besides the film company, Paramount Communications owns cable TV channels and a major publishing group.

Last year we attempted to acquire Time Inc. Paramount Communications aspires to become a large, diversified media group!"

Indeed, last year Paramount Communications tried to acquire Time Inc., but Time Inc. merged with Warner Communications, the parent company of Warner Bros.

Arthur knew Martin Davis was a speculator, not someone who would focus on running a film company or TV station.

Otherwise, Viacom, whose market value was below his, wouldn't have swallowed them up.

Seeing Arthur Smith's indifference, Martin Davis continued, "If you join, the future holds infinite possibilities. Our current group CEO Charles Bluhdorn holds you in high regard. You're still young and would have the chance to lead a large, multinational media group one day!"

Arthur smiled calmly, "Does Mr. Davis know how much I make in a year? This year, my earnings might surpass the combined salaries of the CEOs of Hollywood's top six studios. As for acquiring Galaxy? There are many interested companies right now!"

Arthur had his eye on the Madison Square Garden company under Paramount Communications.

The New York Knicks held a unique value in the NBA, even the formidable Los Angeles Lakers couldn't compare.

Martin Davis laughed, "You're very confident, but movies aren't like other investments; no one is successful all the time. Think it over, Paramount is sincerely hoping for your join."

Saying this, Martin Davis patted Arthur on the shoulder and walked away.

"Think it over?" Arthur shook his head, not considering it at all.

Barry Diller, Michael Eisner - why did they leave Paramount Pictures? Martin Davis's influence had a lot to do with it. Martin Davis was not the kind of boss who liked to delegate power, much like Viacom's chairman Sumner Redstone.

Subsequently, Arthur ran into Tom Hanks, whom he had worked with on Sleepless in Seattle, and asked, "Tom, what's been keeping you busy lately?"

Arthur embraced him and inquired.

Tom Hanks smiled, "I just finished shooting a sports comedy with director Penny Marshall called A League of Their Own."

"I see," Penny Marshall, like Nora Ephron who directed Sleepless in Seattle, was a notable female director in Hollywood.

"Tom, have you ever considered taking on more serious roles?" Arthur asked, knowing that Tom Hanks predominantly did comedies or romantic films at the time.

"Serious roles?" Tom Hanks nodded eagerly, "Absolutely, if there's a good script, I'd even take a pay cut to be part of it!"

Arthur raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Director Jonathan Demme is currently preparing a project about homosexuality and AIDS."

"Director Jonathan Demme? Oh, does he have a new script?" The Silence of the Lambs is one of this year's hottest movies, and Jonathan Demme's fame has skyrocketed.

"There's a first draft, still being revised. It's mainly about two young and promising lawyers, Andrew and Miller, who meet in court. Young Andrew, a homosexual and AIDS sufferer, gets unjustly fired by his boss. Seeking justice, he enlists Miller's help for a lawsuit. They win the case, but Andrew's life comes to an end!"

Arthur was speaking about Jonathan Demme's new project Philadelphia, which focuses on homosexuality and AIDS.

With Magic Johnson having just retired due to AIDS, the topic was highly relevant in the news.

Plus, the plot touches on homosexuality, giving Philadelphia a strong foundation for awards!

"Arthur, can I see the script?"

For awards potential, Tom Hanks was very interested.

"I'll remind Jonathan Demme!"

*****

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