Why Rasputin isn't in the Haunted Mansion

Walt Disney vetoed the inclusion of a creepy portrait of Rasputin in early designs for the Haunted Mansion, because he worried that Rasputin's descendants might sue.

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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Sam

I bet they would, too.
PapayaSF

Speaking of Rasputin and lawsuits, the “all persons fictitious” disclaimer now seen in all movie credits started because of a lawsuit regarding the film Rasputin and the Empress (1932): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_persons_fictitious_disclaimer
Anonymous

Defense: “Disney asks that the plaintiff produce at least one portrait of Rasputin that is not creepy.”

Plaintiff: “I… uh… well….”

Judge: “Case dismissed.”
millrick

wait a moment…
wasn’t Walt actually Rasputin incarnate?

(or am i confusing Robot Chicken with reality again?)
- Donald Petersen
  
  Would certainly help explain the shared love of litigation, I guess.
eviladrian

So the fam were OK with Boney M?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvDMlk3kSYg