The history of Hollywood is full of hostile takeovers, shakedowns, and eras of uncertainty not unlike today. As soon as movies proved to be an incredibly profitable enterprise, rivaling that of the Gilded Age titans, the industry attracted a range of investors, business leaders, bankers, and gangsters. William Fox’s downfall is one of many, though its epic scale makes his story one that should be more frequently remembered in the 21st century as the industry journeys through another major period of transition.
Source: When Fox Made the Wrong Bets — and Wound Up In a Hostile Takeover