Universal Studio

Hollywood has produced many memorable movies, through the major studios. We are all familiar with their logos. The industry began in the early 1900s and developed through the star system. The Universal Studio has always been a big player and has contributed award winning films and some iconic stars. It was founded by a German Jewish immigrant called Carl Laemmle. He saw the potential in moving pictures and he was proved right. The studio that he started is the second oldest in Hollywood.

Along with all the other production companies, it went through many changes. The Universal Studio had to adapt from the silent movies to talkies and the breakdown of the studio system during the 1950s, when stars broke away in a bid for independence. It also struggled with competition from television. Universal overcame this by pulling back its film production and putting its energy into making TV shows and made for television movies. However, Universal studio has had film hits in every decade.

Low budget westerns and serials were the staple fare offered by Hollywood in the beginning. Gradually, the standard of scripts and production improved. This was the case in 1930, when Universal Studio released the World War I epic, All Quiet on the Western Front. This won the Best Picture Academy Award. Universal then became identified with the horror genre, making entertaining films with Frankenstein, The Mummy and Dracula. More lighthearted pictures also included performances by Mae West, singer Deanna Durbin and W.C. Fields. There was also a series of comic capers with Abbot and Costello.

Many stars were on contract during the 1950s, including suave heartthrob Cary Grant. Doris Day and Rock Hudson had a big success with the romantic comedy, Pillow Talk and James Stewart talked to a giant rabbit in Harvey. The hits carried on through the 1960s and included the sword and sandal epic, Spartacus starring Kirk Douglas and To Kill a Mockingbird, the courtroom drama featuring Gregory Peck. From the beginning, the Universal Studio has not been afraid to produce movies with difficult subjects that may not appeal to a mass audience. The Holocaust movie, Schindler's List was very well received for its depiction of Nazi Germany. A movie tackling the theme of mental illness, Twelve Monkeys, also received critical acclaim. The studio has also had success with major blockbusters, including ET and Jurassic Park. They have come a long way from the grainy black and white two reel cowboy flicks from yesteryear.

Let your friends know about this article!

About our articles...

Terms and Conditions Of Site Usage. If you can't see the graphic please visit refresharticles.com/authors-publishers-terms.php

<a href="http://www.refresharticles.com/articles/success/universal_studio_23.txt">Universal Studio</a>