Universal Pictures
Founding and early years:
Universal Pictures was founded by Carl Lemmle on April 30, 1912. Lemmle, an immigrant from Germany, began his career in the film industry by founding several small movie studios before creating Universal.
The studio became known for its short films and serials, and actively pursued a strategy of vertical integration, owning both production facilities and movie theaters.
Silent Movie Era:
During the 1920s, Universal produced many successful silent films, including serials and westerns. One of the most famous early films was The Phantom of the Opera (1925) starring Lon Chaney.
Golden Age of Hollywood:
During the 1930s and 1940s, Universal became known for its horror films such as Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), and The Mummy (1932). These films laid the groundwork for the genre and became movie classics.
In the 1940s, the studio also produced successful comedies starring comedians Abbott and Costello.
The post-war era and new management:
During the 1950s, the studio went through a number of management changes and financial difficulties. However, Universal was revitalized in the 1960s under the leadership of Lew Wasserman, who introduced a new production and marketing strategy.
Universal produced many successful films in the 1960s and 1970s, including Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) and Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975).
Modern Period:
In recent decades, Universal has continued to produce blockbusters and develop popular franchises such as “Jurassic Park,” “Fast and Furious,” “Desperado” and “Minions.”
Universal was acquired by NBC in 2004, becoming part of NBCUniversal and then part of Comcast in 2011.