An integral part of the Hollywood landscape, Warner Bros. studios, located in Burbank, CA, has led to the birth of some of the world’s most treasured films and franchises. Whether it is snuggling up to Bugs Bunny or seeing the set of one of the hottest television shows currently on air, there is always something new and different at the Warner Bros. Studios. Movie lovers from all over the world cannot afford to miss a shot at getting a behind the scenes peek at the magic created by Warner Bros. through one of its Studio Tours.
Warner Bros. Studio History
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (sometimes labeled Warner Brothers in its early days) traces its roots back to the dawn of Hollywood itself. Established in the early twentieth century by four Polish Jews named Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner (originally Wonskolaser), the first Burbank Studio opened amid a fundraising push in the late 1920s to help the struggling independent studio compete with the “Big Three” studios of the era, First National, Paramount Pictures, and MGM.
The revelation that really put Warner Bros. on the map, however, was the introduction of synchronized sound into motion pictures, known at the time as “talkies.” Despite some initial disagreement among the brothers over the use of sound in film, they released The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson and which featured Jolson singing. The film was incredibly successful and made the studio cash rich for the first time in its history. From this point on, the era of the “talking picture” began to take hold in America and Warner Bros. was positioned to gain immensely from that success.
Indeed, the success of The Jazz Singer, along with three other talking pictures The Singing Fool, The Lights of New York, and The Terror allowed the studio to move away from the “poor” side of Burbank and into the studios that they occupy today at 3400 W. Riverside Dr.
For the remainder of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, Warner Bros. has remained a dominant name in the Hollywood studio landscape. Its filmography includes some of the most well-loved movies of every era including Public Enemy (1931), Casablanca (1942), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), A Clockwork Orange (1972), Chariots of Fire (1981), The Color Purple (1985), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), JFK (1991), L.A. Confidential (1997), and many more. In addition, Warner Bros. entered the cartoon business in the 1930s, leading to the creation of timeless WB characters such as Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, and Batman (the television series). In 1995, the company launched the WB Network which gave birth to groundbreaking television shows aimed at teens and young adults such as Dawson’s Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
About the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Visitors to Warner Bros. Burbank, CA studios location have the choice between two major tour options: the VIP Tour and the Deluxe Tour. Both of these choices allow guests the unique opportunity to travel behind the scenes at the studio, enjoying a view of the backlot, sound stages, and craft shops.
The VIP tour is shorter, lasting approximately 2 ¼ hours and open everyone ages 8 and up. The details of this tour are constantly changing with the production schedules of the studio. Minimally, guests will enjoy a chance to see the backlot streets which feature building exteriors well-known to WB viewing audiences. They will also tour the set, costume department, and prop department of one of the WB network’s current hit shows. Viewers will also get the unique opportunity to browse at the artifacts in Warner Bros. own museum, featuring sets and props from bygone eras and a Green Screen that allows visitors the chance to get themselves placed in a scene from their favorite Warner Bros. movie.
Patrons opting for the Deluxe Tour are in for a real treat. Open to adults and children over the age of 8, this day-long adventure through the belly of Warner Bros. Entertainment lasts for 5 hours. Guests are taken through some of the most intimate parts of the movie production business including the craft shops where costumes, props, sets, and more are brought to life. Visitors will be brought to working WB sets and be allowed to speak to some of the key backstage hands at work making television and films. They will also get the chance to dine in the studio commissary right alongside the stars.
Why the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a Must Do
The magic of the movies has come a long way since four Polish immigrants changed their name to Warner and began a production studio. In the time since the full incorporation of Warner Brothers in 1923, the contribution of that small studio has been instrumental in the making of the entertainment industry we know and love today. When visiting the L.A. area, taking the time to travel to nearby Burbank and see the inner workings of that studio in the modern era is a truly unique and special opportunity that will make any trip to California that much more memorable.
Where to Buy Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tickets
There are a number of ways you can enjoy admission to this attraction.
Pay Full Price and purchase a ticket from Warner Bros. Studio Tour either online or in person.
Purchase a Tourist pass. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is available on the Go Los Angeles Card and Hollywood CityPass.