Movie of Part 1 of Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” – Cost $20 million, Revenue $4.6 Million

Results That Just Mandate Production of Part 2

Ayn Rand was a writer of fiction whose novels depicted an America where government was evil, government programs were destructive and the only true virtue lay in the lives of unconstrained, unregulated individual business leaders. (Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was a devoted follower.  That explains a lot, doesn’t it.)  Long forgotten by many, her novels have formed a sort of philosophical basis for modern Conservative thought

(Yes, you read that correctly.  Modern Conservative thought is largely based on fiction).

Earlier this year the first of a proposed three part movie series was released based on Ms. Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged.  As the LA Times reports

"Atlas Shrugged: Part 1," the low-budget adaptation of the first third of Rand's dystopian novel, grossed $4.6 million during its five-week theatrical run this spring. After the film drew scathing reviews, producer John Aglialoro said he was reconsidering whether to move forward with two sequels.

and

Aglialoro, the CEO of exercise-equipment company Cybex, spent $20 million to produce, distribute and market the movie,

And

Now Aglialoro has resumed those efforts, according to producer Harmon Kaslow, and will devote all revenue from the release of "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1" to financing "Atlas Shrugged: Part 2."

Although exactly what revenues are left after $4.6 million has to pay for $20 million in costs is not totally clear.

Finally, we have this from the article

What we discovered with the film is that it really doesn’t fit squarely into a lot of business models," said Kaslow

Well, you cannot argue with that.  A project which cost $20 million to produce and returned $4.6 million in revenue doesn’t fit with many business models.    It does, however, fit with the Conservative model which requires a flight from reality.

And the fact that those financially supporting these films, even though the free market forces are saying they are economic losers tells us two things about the supporters.

1.  They have no concept of the philosophy they are trying to push, namely that free markets control .

2.  The fact that they are subsidizing an activity which is a money loser, in order to promote what they think is a socially beneficial program tells us that they are not Conservative but are, dare we say it, Progressives.

Welcome to the club, we will collect the dues and fit you out for the uniform next week.