Complex sentence: When Walt Disney read the book, in 1957, it immediately grabbed his attention and he promptly acquired the rights, Smith had always secretly hoped that Disney would make her book into a film.
Split into simpler sentences: When Walt Disney read the book, it immediately grabbed his attention and he acquired the rights in 1957. Sincerely Yours, Walt Disney, 101 Dalmatians, 2008 DVD Smith had always secretly hoped that Disney would make her book into a film.