With one Valley-backed movie, Thank You For Smoking, nominated for a Golden Globe, it is a relief to see a return to the natural order: normally savvy Valley moguls fleeced by Hollywood. Trade bible, Variety, listing Flyboys as one of the ten biggest bombs of the 2006 movie year, says Larry Ellison covered half the $60m budget. The Oracle founder spends more time in LA's Santa Monica than in Silicon Valley, and he's as fond of a starlet as the next man. But, in the case of Flyboys, his interest is paternal. The movie, about World War One dogfights, was a vehicle for David Ellison, an acrobatic pilot — and the Oracle boss' 23-year—old son. For a bonus description of the younger Ellison, from a profile in the Los Angeles Times before the release:

Tall, blond and blue-eyed, Ellison is a young man markedly comfortable in his own skin. Though he has the subtle sheen money often brings — a combination of excellent orthodontia, high thread counts, and quality products for hair and skin — he also looks like the quiet but well-spoken guy who might lifeguard at your local pool.
[LA Times via Defamer]

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