The movies and tourism go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly. The most movie centric tourist location in California is without a doubt Universal Studios, which this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of its famous Studio Tour. However, welcoming tourists has been part of Universal’s history for well over a hundred years.

On March 15, 1915, Carl Laemmle, owner of Universal Studios, decided to open up his studio to the public. For 25 cents the eager public could get an up close look at how movies, which were still in their infancy, were made, plus lunch. At the time movies were silent, so crowds of people didn’t really interfere with production, but all that changed when the talkies arrived and the public was shut out of movie making magic at Universal for the next several decades.

Fast forward to the 1960s, television was main stream and taking a bite out of the box office money for studios. Universal looked for ways to earn extra cash and welcomed the public back via Gray Line Tours and visitors could dine (and therefore spend money) at the studio commissary. By 1964 Universal decided they could handle it, and that summer visitors boarded the red and white stripe Glamor Trams to get a glimpse at Universal’s backlot. Today the Universal Studios Tour turns 60, and they are celebrating in style and with unique opportunities, including a revival of the Glamor Trams and letting visitors step onto the set of Psycho. Plus loads of themed merch and food!

In its over 100 years as a studio, and 60 years as a tour, the Universal Studios has seen a lot of changes. The studio adds and demolishes sets, and once it solidified itself as a theme park, it catered to the current tastes of its guests, creating true theme park rides and changing them to more contemporary blockbuster hits.

A fan of old Hollywood, behind the scenes, and California tourism, the Glamor Trams have always been something I’ve loved seeing in old Universal souvenirs. Adorable and lux with their red and white stripe awnings and fringe, the Glamor Trams were designed by Harper Goff. If the name sounds familiar it’s because Goff worked on both Disney films and Disneyland itself. Goff designed elements of both Main Street USA, inspired by his hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Adventureland. His fondness for Adventureland was reflected when he was honored with a window in Adventureland, where it advertises banjo lessons (Goff played the banjo and was a member of the Firehouse Five Plus Two) and tattooing. It’s rumored Goff wanted a real tattoo parlor in Disneyland, and the window is a homage to that.

The 1960s were a time where visitors got a very real look at how movies were made. Visitors spent two hours aboard the Glamor Trams cruising the backlot, and could see more behind the scenes offerings, including movie make-up, special effects, an animal show, and a stunt show.

While backlots can be boring if you don’t see movie action happening, Universal decided to add some built-in excitement. The first was the Flash Flood, part of the Mexican Village, added in 1971. Still in use today, it can be seen in 2002’s Big Fat Liar (along with other backlot locations), and Lady Gaga’s 2011 “Judas” music video. In 1973 the Parting of the Red Sea, inspired by the Ten Commandments, was added, and lasted until 2016. Later that decade, the Ice Tunnel was added. Opening in 1975, it gave visitors the sense they were spinning upside down. It was later rethemed twice, first as the Dante’s Peak Volcano, and later the Mummy’s Tomb, before being demolished in 2013 to make way for the Fast and the Furious experience that concludes the tram tour. In 1975 Universal released the summer blockbuster Jaws. The following year the iconic 24 foot Bruce was added to the tour, lunging at guests aboard the tram in a mock-up of the town of Amity. Still part of the tour today, he continues to thrill and terrify visitors of all ages.

More additions were made to the tour in the 1980s. Another larger than life animal was added in 1986 when King Kong attacked the tram. Towering 30 feet tall Kong rocked the tram until a 2008 fire took him out, along with the New York sets and the Universal Music archives, home to tens of thousands of master recordings. King Kong would return in 2010, this time in 4D and based on the 2005 Peter Jackson version. Inspired by the 1974 film Earthquake, a, you guessed it, earthquake segment was added in 1989. While inspired by film, it was later used as an actual set when it was used in the TV show Bones, in “The Bones on the Blue Line.” The earthquake still rattles visitors today who take the tour.

The 1990s saw Universal turn into a true theme park, with the addition of rides, such as The E.T. Adventure, Back to the Future – The Ride, and Jurassic Park – The Ride, all of which I experienced during my first visit in 1997. The E.T. Adventure has since disappeared, replaced by the indoor roller coaster Revenge of the Mummy, Back to the Future is now The Simpsons, and Jurassic Park was updated to become Jurassic World.

Change continues to happen at Universal Studios. It is one of the places that has seen massive turn over in attractions over the years, as it continues to cater to popular movies. The Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show lasted from 1980 to 2002, later demolished to make way for the central courtyard. More recently the Animal Actors Show and the Special Effects Show have been demolished to create room for a Fast and the Furious roller coaster slated to open in 2026. The Special Effects theatre was also once home to a theatre that showcased Universal Monsters, Beetlejuice, Conan the Barbarian, and Spider-Man over the years. Shockingly the biggest mainstay, aside from the tram tour, is the WaterWorld stunt show. Despite the original film being a major flop, the stunt show has been entertaining (and drenching) visitors since 1995.

The 60th anniversary celebration lasts through August 11, so get aboard a Glamor Tram while you can! For more details, including ticket purchasing, visit Universal Studio Hollywood’s website.

All of this retrospective has got me thinking about my trip in 1997. I’m contemplating posting some of those photos sometime in the near future, as it is interesting to see how things have changed.

Notes and disclaimers: This is by no means an all encompassing history of Universal Studios. Not all trams have been been given the retro Glamor Tram treatment. When boarding I told the employee at the front I was willing to wait for a Glamor Tram, and was told it could be upwards of a 20 minute wait. Thankfully the next tram that arrived was a Glamor Tram. Regarding the Bates Motel tram stop, my experience and the experiences of some of my friends have differed greatly. Patrick and I were rushed through the Bates Motel portion, while my friend and her family were able to take their time. Additionally, eagle eyed visitors will note that part of the Bates Motel has been removed to give access to a photo opt area behind the motel.

Outfit
Hat: Thrifted
Jacket: Universal Studios
Vintage Psycho Tee: A gift from my friend Eric, who saved it from a hoarder’s house!
Bracelet: Made by me
Jeans: Lee
Stuntman Association Belt Buckle: Gift, currently available from the Stuntman Association via Amazon (affiliate link)
Shoes: Nike Cortez

Sources
Martens, Todd. “How the Universal tram tour defined the modern theme park.” Los Angeles Times, 3 August 2023.
Perry, Grace. “How the World-Famous Studio Tour Helped Shape Entertainment History.” Discover Universal Blog, 18 April 2024.
Rasmussen, Cecilia. “Laemmle Gave Tourists a View of Reel Life.” Los Angeles Times, 13 March 2005.
“Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour Celebrates 60 Year Milestone” NBC Universal, 23 January 2024.