134-604: The following is a list of attractions that previously existed at the Warner Bros. Movie World amusement park on the Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia . Warner Bros. Movie World Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park on the Gold Coast in Queensland , Australia. Owned and operated by Village Roadshow Theme Parks , the park opened on 3 June 1991. It is part of a 154-hectare (380.5-acre) entertainment precinct, with
268-456: A Native American village and ghost town before a splashdown finale. DC Comics Super-Villains Unleashed displays DC supervillain statues amid criminal acts. Guests use RFID wristbands to help the villains destroy the area or hang upside-down on Doomsday Destroyer. In the DC Comics superhero hub, Batwing Spaceshot exerts four g-forces as it launches up a vertical tower. DC Rivals navigates
402-424: A camelback and non-inverting loop while riders on each train's last row face backwards. The Flash: Speed Force shuttles guests on a rotating platform between two vertical spikes of track. Green Lantern drops beyond vertical into outer-banked turns and two inversions. Justice League patrons blast animatronic aliens on 3D screens. Superman Escape catapults from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in two seconds up
536-461: A fireworks display. A tenth anniversary celebration hosted by B105 FM was held on 4 August 2001. More than 1,000 attendees were treated to live performances by Human Nature , Invertigo , A Touch of Class and Joanne Accom . Halloween Family Fun Night, the first Halloween event, was held on 31 October 2006 and offered guests night rides on several attractions. The sold-out event was immediately popular with more than 7,500 attendees, such that it
670-640: A gremlin invasion of a studio set. Young Einstein Gravity Homestead, based on the 1988 film Young Einstein , featured sloped floors and optical illusions to simulate the effects of gravity. The Roxy Theatre screened 3D films . The Looney Tunes Land children's area featured several attractions, including the Looney Tunes River Ride dark water ride and the Looney Tunes Musical Revue live show. Batman Adventure – The Ride ,
804-756: A lithograph company. After establishing Warner Bros. Music, Harry appointed his son, Lewis, to manage the company. By 1931, the studio began to feel the effects of the Great Depression, reportedly losing $ 8 million, and an additional $ 14 million the following year. In 1931, Warner Bros. Music head Lewis Warner died from an infected wisdom tooth . Around that time, Zanuck hired screenwriter Wilson Mizner , who had little respect for authority and found it difficult to work with Jack, but became an asset. As time passed, Warner became more tolerant of Mizner and helped invest in Mizner's Brown Derby restaurant. Mizner died of
938-416: A net profit of around $ 45 million, offsetting $ 40 million in losses the previous year. More than 1.32 million people visited during 2007 (a 5.8% increase from the year prior) and the park was Australia's third highest attended that year. Village considered Superman Escape and Batwing Spaceshot's openings to be contributing factors to the increased attendance. A decline in attendance during financial 2008
1072-508: A top hat element. Two seasonal events are held annually: Fright Nights during Halloween and White Christmas during the Christmas holidays. Fright Nights features mazes, street parades performed by Halloween characters and night rides on several attractions. It is a consistently popular event, with around 7,000 guests attending each Fright Night evening in October 2017. The park offers
1206-421: A "gangster studio". The studio's first gangster film, Little Caesar , was a great box office success and Edward G. Robinson starred in many of the subsequent Warner gangster films. The studio's next effort, The Public Enemy , made James Cagney arguably the studio's new top star, and Warner Bros. made more gangster films. "Movie for movie, Warners was the most reliable source of entertainment through
1340-560: A $ 13 million motion simulator ride, opened on 23 December 1992. The ride's four-minute film portion, directed by Hoyt Yeatman and produced at the Dream Quest Images animation studio, featured props and set pieces from the film Batman Returns . McFadden Systems, Inc. manufactured the motion platform and Anitech designed the 20-person simulation capsule. The ride was widely anticipated and immediately popular upon opening. More than 12,000 people visited on 30 December and set
1474-405: A 2014 Newspoll study, the park was Australia's fourth most popular tourist attraction of all time. In 2020, Finder.com.au ' s Chris Stead thought the park was laid out well in a compact area but offered minimal shade from the heat and suffered long queue times during peak periods. He thought that children aged six to ten would have a limited experience unless they were tall enough to brave
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#17328545212281608-563: A 6% ticket price hike, increased visitors and Fright Nights' continued success. Throughout the year, COVID-19 closures had a detrimental impact on park performance. The impact was felt through financial 2021 as Village's theme parks operated at a $ 4.6 million loss over the period. Village no longer publicises its finances, as the company was delisted from the ASX in December 2020 following a $ 568 million takeover from BGH Capital . Reviewing soon after
1742-485: A Bosko clone. By the end of World War II, a new Schlesinger production team, including directors Friz Freleng (started in 1934), Tex Avery (started in 1935), Frank Tashlin (started in 1936), Bob Clampett (started in 1937), Chuck Jones (started in 1938), and Robert McKimson (started in 1946), was formed. Schlesinger's staff developed a fast-paced, irreverent style that made their cartoons globally popular. In 1935, Avery directed Porky Pig cartoons that established
1876-422: A cash settlement. Nevertheless, Cagney left the studio to establish an independent film company with his brother Bill. The Cagneys released their films though Grand National Films ; however, they were not able to get good financing and ran out of money after their third film. Cagney then agreed to return to Warner Bros., after Jack agreed to a contract guaranteeing Cagney would be treated to his own terms. After
2010-552: A crowd-pleaser and credited it with the attendance spike that year. Road Runner Rollercoaster , a Vekoma Junior model, opened on Boxing Day 2000; it was Australia's first coaster designed for children. During 2001, the Great Gremlins and Gravity Homestead attractions closed, and the Looney Tunes Splash Zone was added to Looney Tunes Village. Two new attractions opened on Boxing Day: Batman Adventure – The Ride 2,
2144-529: A dog brought from France after World War I by an American soldier, established their reputation. Rin Tin Tin's third film was the feature Where the North Begins , which was so successful that Jack signed the dog to star in more films for $ 1,000 per week. Rin Tin Tin became the studio's top star. Jack nicknamed him "The Mortgage Lifter" and the success boosted Darryl F. Zanuck 's career. Zanuck eventually became
2278-684: A few films each year under the First National name until 1938. For thirty years, certain Warner productions were identified (mainly for tax purposes) as 'A Warner Bros.–First National Picture.' In the latter part of 1929, Jack Warner hired George Arliss to star in Disraeli , which was a success. Arliss won an Academy Award for Best Actor and went on to star in nine more movies for the studio. In 1930, Harry acquired more theaters in Atlantic City , despite
2412-460: A heart attack on April 3, 1933. By 1932, musicals were declining in popularity, and the studio was forced to cut musical numbers from many productions and advertise them as straight comedies. The public had begun to associate musicals with color, and thus studios began to abandon its use. Warner Bros. had a contract with Technicolor to produce two more pictures in that process. As a result, the first horror films in color were produced and released by
2546-772: A joint venture with Pivot Leisure (part-owners of the nearby Sea World ) and Warner to develop the land into a theme park. Designed by C. V. Wood , the layout was inspired by Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney's Hollywood Studios , and opening attractions were designed to educate guests about the processes behind filmmaking . The park has since expanded to include an array of attractions that are based on Warner and related DC Comics properties. It has survived financial hardships and remains among Australia's most popular tourist destinations. Attractions range from thrill rides such as Batwing Spaceshot and Superman Escape to family attractions such as Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D and Wild West Falls Adventure Ride , entertainment at
2680-408: A large lot of swampy land adjacent to the studio complex from investment company Ariadne Australia (which had been crippled by the 1987 Black Monday stock market crash). The following month, Village persuaded Warner to acquire 50% of the studio and announced that a theme park , provisionally named Warner World, was to be built on the recently acquired land. Warner recognised the value proposition in
2814-622: A look at the filmmaking process with the NYFA – Hot Sets attraction. Arkham Asylum ceased operations in December. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the park closed on 22 March 2020 and reopened on 15 July at 50% guest capacity with social distancing and sanitisation policies in effect. Batman Legacy, an exhibition themed to the Batman films , opened at the WB Studio Showcase on Boxing Day 2021. Marvin
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#17328545212282948-564: A major loan. With this new money, the Warners bought the pioneer Vitagraph Company which had a nationwide distribution system. In 1925, Warners' also experimented in radio, establishing a successful radio station, KFWB , in Los Angeles. Warner Bros. was a pioneer of films with synchronized sound (then known as "talking pictures" or "talkies"). In 1925, at Sam's urging, Warner's agreed to add this feature to their productions. By February 1926,
3082-540: A mascot to Warner Bros., its various divisions, and Six Flags (which Time Warner once owned). The success of the compilation film The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie in 1979, featuring the archived film of these characters, prompted Warner Bros. to organize Warner Bros. Animation as a new production division to restart production of original material. According to Warner's autobiography, prior to US entry in World War II , Philip Kauffman, Warner Bros. German sales head,
3216-582: A member of the Motion Picture Association (MPA). The company is known for its film studio division, the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group , which includes Warner Bros. Pictures , New Line Cinema , Warner Bros. Pictures Animation , Castle Rock Entertainment , DC Studios , and the Warner Bros. Television Group . Bugs Bunny , a character created for the Looney Tunes series, is the company's official mascot. The company's name originated from
3350-413: A month-long strike. In retaliation, Warner—during his 1947 testimony before Congress about Mission to Moscow —accused multiple employees of ties to Communists. By the end of 1947, the studio reached a record net profit of $ 22 million (equivalent to $ 300 million in 2023). Warner acquired Pathé News from RKO in 1947. On January 5, 1948, Warner offered the first color newsreel , covering
3484-480: A narrow profit margin of $ 200,000 in August 2018 and stated that while April school holiday theme park attendance was inhibited by the 2018 Commonwealth Games , July results were strong with high season pass sales. In February 2020, Village posted an EBITDA increase of 7% to $ 39 million for the financial half-year and overall attendance at their theme park properties rose 12% to 2.58 million; these results were attributed to
3618-428: A net profit of $ 674,158.00. By 1936, contracts of musical and silent stars were not renewed, instead being replaced by tough-talking, working-class types who better fit these pictures. As a result, Dorothy Mackaill , Dolores del Río , Bebe Daniels , Frank Fay , Winnie Lightner , Bernice Claire , Alexander Gray, Alice White , and Jack Mulhall that had characterized the urban, modern, and sophisticated attitude of
3752-543: A paid Fast Track priority pass and free virtual queueing on select attractions, as well as mobile ordering and queueing at certain food outlets. Star Tours began in July 2016 and offer a behind-the-scenes look at several attractions. Included in the experience are Fast Track passes, priority seating for the afternoon parade and other features. A climb up the 282 steps of DC Rivals' lift hill began in September 2018. To celebrate
3886-467: A planned nine-storey hotel received council approval. Village sought a trademark application for the name "Hotel V" in March 2021; submitted documents showed the hotel's planned design and amenities. That December, Village CEO Clark Kirby said the development was "close to being realised". The projected size of the development increased in October 2022 council submissions. At an expected cost of $ 333 million,
4020-520: A refurbishment of the original, and the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience . Built on the Gravity Homestead's footprint, the $ 2 million Harry Potter attraction was a direct tie-in to the film series ' first film, The Philosopher's Stone , and featured a walk-through replica of Diagon Alley and a live owl show. The following year, it was updated with the release of The Chamber of Secrets to feature film set pieces such as
4154-431: A result of losses from the Great Depression, and Harry refused to restore it as the company recovered. Zanuck established his own company. Harry thereafter raised salaries for studio employees. In 1933, Warner was able to link up with newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst 's Cosmopolitan Films. Hearst had previously worked with MGM, but ended the association after a dispute with head producer Irving Thalberg over
List of former Warner Bros. Movie World attractions - Misplaced Pages Continue
4288-425: A result of their financial problems, Warner Bros. took the next step and released The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson . This movie, which includes little sound dialogue, but did feature sound segments of Jolson singing, was a sensation. It signaled the beginning of the era of "talking pictures" and the twilight of the silent era. However, Sam died the night before the opening, preventing the brothers from attending
4422-453: A result, Harry Warner—while speaking at a convention of 1,500 independent exhibitors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—was able to convince the filmmakers to spend $ 500,000 in newspaper advertising, and Harry saw this as an opportunity to establish theaters in places such as New York City and Los Angeles. As the studio prospered, it gained backing from Wall Street , and in 1924 Goldman Sachs arranged
4556-571: A roof over Main Street was completed. The 4,000 square metre (43,000 sq ft) roof supplied by MakMax Australia was designed to improve guest protection from the elements and provide for a 2,000-person capacity venue for functions and events. Looney Tunes River Ride and Batman Adventure – The Ride 2 closed in 2011. Showtime FMX's MotoMonster Xtreme show temporarily replaced Hollywood Stunt Driver from 26 June to 18 July as alternative winter holiday entertainment. Green Lantern Coaster opened on 23 December:
4690-464: A single-day attendance record. In 1995, the Western Action Show was replaced by The Maverick Grand Illusion Show , based on the comedy film Maverick . Lethal Weapon – The Ride opened as the park's first roller coaster in December. The Suspended Looping Coaster by Vekoma was the first of its kind to feature a 765-metre (2,510 ft) layout with a helix (or "bayern kurve"). It
4824-509: A top producer and between 1928 and 1933 served as Jack's right-hand man and executive producer , with responsibilities including day-to-day film production. More success came after Ernst Lubitsch was hired as head director; Harry Rapf left the studio to join Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer . Lubitsch's film The Marriage Circle was the studio's most successful film of 1924, and was on The New York Times best list for that year. Despite
4958-511: A top star and signed him to a new contract, tripling his salary. In 1936, Harry's daughter Doris read a copy of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind and was interested in making a film adaptation. Doris offered Mitchell $ 50,000 for screen rights. Jack vetoed the deal, realizing it would be an expensive production. Major Paramount star George Raft also eventually proved to be a problem for Jack. Warner had signed him in 1939, finally bringing
5092-672: A top star. Following High Sierra and after Raft had once again turned the part down, Bogart was given the leading role in John Huston 's successful 1941 remake of the studio's 1931 pre-Code film, The Maltese Falcon , based upon the Dashiell Hammett novel. Warner's cartoon unit had its roots in the independent Harman and Ising studio. From 1930 to 1933, Walt Disney Studios alumni Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising produced musical cartoons for Leon Schlesinger , who sold them to Warner. Harman and Ising introduced their character Bosko in
5226-540: A top studio in Hollywood , but this changed after 1935 as other studios, notably MGM, quickly overshadowed the prestige and glamor that previously characterized Warner Bros. However, in the late 1930s, Bette Davis became the studio's top draw and was even dubbed as "The Fifth Warner Brother". In 1935, Cagney sued Jack Warner for breach of contract. Cagney claimed Warner had forced him to star in more films than his contract required. Cagney eventually dropped his lawsuit after
5360-460: A very successful musical under the direction of Lloyd Bacon. Warner assigned Bacon to "more expensive productions including Footlight Parade , Wonder Bar , Broadway Gondolier " (which he also starred in), and Gold Diggers that saved the company from bankruptcy. In the wake of 42nd Street 's success, the studio produced profitable musicals. These starred Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell and were mostly directed by Busby Berkeley . In 1935,
5494-540: Is located in Oxenford on the Gold Coast, Queensland, approximately 20 km (13 miles) from Surfers Paradise. It is part of a 154-hectare (380.5-acre) precinct that includes three other Village properties: Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast , Australian Outback Spectacular and Paradise Country . The 21 attractions can be divided into five broad areas: Main Street, Kids' WB Fun Zone, the wild west , DC Comics Super-Villains Unleashed and
List of former Warner Bros. Movie World attractions - Misplaced Pages Continue
5628-601: Is set to open in December 2024. The precinct is set to be built on the former Arkham Asylum site and feature two Vekoma coasters: Flight of the Wicked Witch, a Suspended Family Coaster , and Kansas Twister, a racing dual-track Family Boomerang . Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster, which closed in January 2023, is set to reopen in 2025 after a $ 4 million refurbishment. Planned upgrades include a partial re-tracking, magnetic brakes , new ride vehicles and other enhancements. Movie World
5762-500: The Looney Tunes cast roam the grounds and pose for photos; each afternoon, they parade with themed floats and vehicles along Main Street. Kids' WB Fun Zone features attractions from car rides and carousels to frog hoppers and splash pads . Patrons ride through Junior Driving School's miniature park replica and embark on the Road Runner Rollercoaster. Wild West Falls, which headlines its eponymous area, traverses
5896-581: The Matrix film series. In 2005, Village announced expansion plans totalling $ 65 million for their Gold Coast parks, in which Movie World would receive a share with two new attractions. First, the Roxy Theatre was refurbished for a new film, Shrek 4D Adventure . Opened on 17 September, the experience used sensory effects, moving seats and animatronics. Superman Escape , the other attraction, opened on Boxing Day. The $ 16 million Accelerator Coaster by Intamin
6030-503: The Australian film industry grew rapidly during the 1980s. Italian-American film producer Dino De Laurentiis visited the country in 1986; he had worked with Australian film alumni in recent years and noted industry buzz over the film Crocodile Dundee . With De Laurentiis Entertainment Limited (DEL), he commissioned and constructed a film studio in Oxenford , near Surfers Paradise on
6164-598: The Brazilian Carnival . Festivities and a parade commemorated the park's 25th anniversary on 3 June 2016. In 2020, Fright Nights was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, while White Christmas went ahead. To celebrate the park's 30th anniversary, the Hooray for Hollywood event ran from 26 June to 18 July 2021, with guest interactions and a daily parade themed to classic Hollywood cinema. An onsite hotel facility has been in development since at least December 2015, when
6298-581: The El Loco coaster by S&S Worldwide featured a 120.5° drop angle–the Southern Hemisphere 's steepest and world's third-steepest. Lethal Weapon – The Ride closed in January 2012 for a $ 2 million refurbishment. The coaster received a new train manufactured by Kumbak with lap bar restraints and on-board audio. It was renamed Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy, themed to the Batman: Arkham video games;
6432-642: The Gold Coast, Queensland . The studio was to produce the action film Total Recall , but after their finances were jeopardised by several box office bombs (such as Million Dollar Mystery ), De Laurentiis left the failing DEL in December 1987. Production on Total Recall halted and AU$ 3.4 million worth of studio sets were dismantled. Village Roadshow , who had an established partnership with Warner Bros. in Australia, bought out DEL entirely in 1988 and opened Warner Roadshow Studios (now Village Roadshow Studios ) in July. In October 1988, Village acquired
6566-565: The Poverty Row section of Hollywood, and acquire a much larger studio lot in Burbank . They expanded by acquiring the Stanley Corporation, a major theater chain. This gave them a share in rival First National Pictures , of which Stanley owned one-third. In a bidding war with William Fox , Warner Bros. bought more First National shares on September 13, 1928; Jack also appointed Zanuck as
6700-626: The Roxy Theatre and the Hollywood Stunt Driver live show. Among the five operating roller coasters , DC Rivals HyperCoaster is Australia's tallest, fastest and longest, and Green Lantern Coaster has the world's third-steepest drop angle. Film characters regularly roam the grounds to interact and take photos with guests. Each afternoon, characters participate in a parade along Main Street. The seasonal Fright Nights and White Christmas events are hosted annually. Hollywood interest in
6834-497: The September 11 attacks and although park visits fell slightly during financial 2001, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild's attendance increased and Village's parks division posted an EBITDA rise of 23.1%. In 2003, visits by international tourists declined by about 50%, with the war on terror and 2002–2004 SARS outbreak cited as key factors. In response, daily operating hours for several rides were reduced. Visits from key Asian markets to
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#17328545212286968-776: The Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl Game . In 1948, Bette Davis, still their top actress and now hostile to Jack, was a big problem for Harry after she and others left the studio after completing the film Beyond the Forest . Warner was a party to the United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. antitrust case of the 1940s. This action, brought by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission , claimed
7102-462: The Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California , and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Founded in 1923 by four brothers, Harry , Albert , Sam , and Jack Warner , the company established itself as a leader in the American film industry before diversifying into animation , television , and video games , and is one of the "Big Five" major American film studios , as well as
7236-471: The box office and the studio's net loss increased. During this time, Harry and six other movie studio figures were indicted for conspiracy to violate the Sherman Antitrust Act , through an attempt to gain a monopoly over St Louis movie theaters. In 1935, Harry was put on trial; after a mistrial, Harry sold the company's movie theaters and the case was never reopened. 1935 also saw the studio make
7370-590: The financial year . Park general manager Mark Germyn attributed attendance growth in part to success with the international market: about 25% of the park's visitors were from overseas, and half of these were from Japan. "We're coming on strong in the Asian markets", he said, "including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand". He further noted retail sales of about 2.6 million units of stock across its 25 outlets generating $ 17 million in revenue. In 1998, Village marketing manager Ken Minnikin highlighted
7504-576: The movie theater business, having acquired a movie projector with which they showed films in the mining towns of Pennsylvania and Ohio . In the beginning, Sam and Albert Warner invested $ 150 to present Life of an American Fireman and The Great Train Robbery . They opened their first theater, the Cascade , in New Castle, Pennsylvania , in 1903. When the original building was in danger of being demolished,
7638-464: The 1920s gave way to James Cagney , Joan Blondell , Edward G. Robinson , Warren William and Barbara Stanwyck , who would be more acceptable to the common man. The studio was one of the most prolific producers of Pre-Code pictures and had a lot of trouble with the censors once they started clamping down on what they considered indecency (around 1934). As a result, Warner Bros. turned to historical pictures from around 1935 to avoid confrontations with
7772-442: The 1994 Australian Tourism Award, it won the "Major Tourist Attraction" category. The 1998 awards saw Village win the "Tourism Marketing and Promotional Campaigns" category. At the 2002 IAAPA Awards, the park received an honourable mention in the "Best Supervisory Training Program" category. Movie World and Sea World received joint awards for "Specialty Meeting Venue" at the 2005 Meetings and Events Australia awards. According to
7906-587: The 5.1-hectare (12.6-acre) site was designed by Gold Coast architecture groups DBI and Burling Brown. The 22-storey hotel building would accommodate 600 rooms and feature several dining and recreational facilities. A function centre planned to be built adjacent to the hotel would feature three function halls. Village projected revenue of $ 840 million from 876,000 visitors within the hotel's first five years. Plans and supporting documents were released for public consultation in February 2023. Preliminary council approval for
8040-495: The B's". Foy was able to garnish arguably more profits than any other B-film producer at the time. During Foy's time at the studio, however, Warner fired him seven different times. During 1936, The Story of Louis Pasteur proved a box office success and star Paul Muni won the Oscar for Best Actor in March 1937. The studio's 1937 film The Life of Emile Zola gave the studio the first of its seven Best Picture Oscars . In 1937,
8174-511: The Breen office. In 1936, following the success of The Petrified Forest , Jack signed Humphrey Bogart to a studio contract. Warner, however, did not think Bogart was star material, and cast Bogart in infrequent roles as a villain opposite either James Cagney or Edward Robinson over the next five years. After Hal B. Wallis succeeded Zanuck in 1933, and the Hays Code began to be enforced in 1935,
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#17328545212288308-588: The DC Comics superhero hub. Just beyond the Grand Entrance, the opening plaza encircles its Fountain of Fame centrepiece. Main Street continues with guest services, dining, gift shops and other amenities lining the footpaths. The Roxy Theatre off Main Street screens 4D films . Hollywood Stunt Driver's crew perform motorcycle and rally car stunts. Characters such as Batman , the Joker, Scooby-Doo , Austin Powers and
8442-742: The Flame (1930), Song of the West (1930), The Life of the Party (1930), Sweet Kitty Bellairs (1930), Under a Texas Moon (1930), Bride of the Regiment (1930), Viennese Nights (1931), Woman Hungry (1931), Kiss Me Again (1931), 50 Million Frenchmen (1931) and Manhattan Parade (1932). In addition to these, scores of features were released with Technicolor sequences, as well as numerous Technicolor Specials short subjects . The majority of these color films were musicals. In 1929, Warner Bros. bought
8576-459: The Gold Coast had dropped by about 95% and Village emphasised a need to target their domestic market with discounted tickets and Shopa Docket vouchers. In May 2006, Village acquired Warner's stake in their theme park division for $ 254 million but maintained the latter's licence and branding. The deal let Village take sole ownership of several park properties, including Movie World. Strong attendance figures over financial 2007 contributed in part to
8710-733: The Martian: Cosmic Boom, a Drop'N Twist children's ride by SBF Visa Group , opened at the Kids' WB Fun Zone in April 2023. The Flash: Speed Force , a shuttle roller coaster by Intamin, opened on 13 May 2024. A relocation of the Surfrider at Wet'n'Wild, the coaster was built within Superman Escape's footprint and themed to the DC Comics superhero the Flash . A $ 50 million Wizard of Oz -themed precinct
8844-503: The River Rapids incident—inspired Village's optimism for a financial turnaround; it was the largest single ride investment in their history and Australia's most expensive coaster. Its opening set a daily attendance record for September with 11,500 guests. By November, to cut debts after a $ 66.7 million loss the prior financial year, Village sought to sell the Oxenford precinct's land through a 90-year leaseback agreement. Village posted
8978-654: The St. Louis-based theater chain Skouras Brothers Enterprises . Following this takeover, Spyros Skouras , the driving force of the chain, became general manager of the Warner Brothers Theater Circuit in America. He worked successfully in that post for two years and turned its losses into profits. Harry produced an adaptation of a Cole Porter musical titled Fifty Million Frenchmen . Through First National,
9112-455: The adjacent Village Roadshow Studios and nearby Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast , among other sites operated by Village Roadshow . Movie World is Australia's only film-related theme park and the oldest of the Warner Bros. parks worldwide (the others are at Madrid and Abu Dhabi ). As of 2016, it receives a yearly average of 1.4 million visitors. In the late 1980s, a failed film studio lot and its adjacent land were bought out by Village. They entered
9246-668: The bank robbed during Bonnie and Clyde and the Daily Planet building from Superman . A film studio tour included the Movie Magic Special Effects Show with audience participation on a live set. There were two live daily shows: the Western Action Show featured actors performing amusing stunts with live animals and the hour-long Police Academy Stunt Show staged shoot-outs and car chases for an audience of 1,500. The Warner Bros. Classics & Great Gremlins Adventure interactive dark ride had guests escape from
9380-471: The beginning of every showing of Don Juan across the country) in 1926. Many film production companies questioned the necessity. Don Juan did not recoup its production cost and Lubitsch left for MGM. By April 1927, the Big Five studios (First National, Paramount, MGM, Universal Pictures , and Producers Distributing) had ruined Warners, and Western Electric renewed Warner's Vitaphone contract with terms that allowed other film companies to test sound. As
9514-420: The beginning of the Great Depression. In July 1930, the studio's banker, Motley Flint, was murdered by a disgruntled investor in another company. Harry acquired a string of music publishers (including M. Witmark & Sons , Remick Music Corp. , and T.B. Harms, Inc. ) to form Warner Bros. Music. In April 1930, Warner Bros. acquired Brunswick Records . Harry obtained radio companies, foreign sound patents and
9648-470: The bigger rides, and that visits were best suited to adult thrill-seekers or families with teenagers. While the park was closed on 5 December 2003, a fire caused more than $ 1 million in damage to Wild West Falls' upper section; the ride was repaired and reopened several weeks later. On 15 March 2015, one of Green Lantern's cars became detached from the rails when a wheel mechanism broke. Although riders were stranded for several hours and had to be rescued by
9782-401: The brothers acquired the studio in 1928. Thanks to the success of The Jazz Singer , the studio was cash-rich. Jolson's next film for the company, The Singing Fool was also a success. With the success of these first talkies ( The Jazz Singer , Lights of New York , The Singing Fool and The Terror ), Warner Bros. became a top studio and the brothers were now able to move out from
9916-598: The character as the studio's first animated star. In addition to Porky, Daffy Duck (who debuted in 1937's Porky's Duck Hunt ), Elmer Fudd ( Elmer's Candid Camera , 1940), Bugs Bunny ( A Wild Hare , 1940), and Tweety ( A Tale of Two Kitties , 1942) would achieve star power. By 1942, the Schlesinger studio had surpassed Walt Disney Studios as the most successful producer of animated shorts. Warner Bros. bought Schlesinger's cartoon unit in 1944 and renamed it Warner Bros. Cartoons . However, senior management treated
10050-515: The company's remaining one-third share from Fox. The Justice Department agreed to allow the purchase if First National was maintained as a separate company. When the Great Depression hit, Warner asked for and got permission to merge the two studios. Soon afterward Warner Bros. moved to the First National lot in Burbank. Though the companies merged, the Justice Department required Warner to release
10184-568: The early 1920s they acquired their first studio facilities on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Sam and Jack produced the pictures, while Harry and Albert, along with their auditor and now-controller Chase, handled finance and distribution in New York City. During World War I their first nationally syndicated film, My Four Years in Germany , based on a popular book by former ambassador James W. Gerard ,
10318-577: The elder Wonsal children gradually acquired anglicized versions of their Yiddish -sounding names: Szmuel Wonsal became Samuel Warner (nicknamed "Sam"), Hirsz Wonsal became Harry Warner, and Aaron Wonsal (although born with a given name common in the Americas) became Albert Warner. Jack, the youngest brother, was born in London, Ontario , during the family's two-year residency in Canada. The three elder brothers began in
10452-688: The feature Don Juan starring John Barrymore . The film was silent, but it featured a large number of Vitaphone shorts at the beginning. To hype Don Juan ' s release, Harry acquired the large Piccadilly Theater in Manhattan , New York City , and renamed it Warners' Theatre. Don Juan premiered at the Warners' Theatre in New York on August 6, 1926. Throughout the early history of film distribution, theater owners hired orchestras to attend film showings, where they provided soundtracks . Through Vitaphone, Warner Bros. produced eight shorts (which were played at
10586-662: The film—sued the studio for displaying "vicious, untrue and false attacks" against him in the film. After appearing in the Warner's film The Man Who Played God , Bette Davis became a top star. In 1933, relief for the studio came after Franklin D. Roosevelt became president and began the New Deal . This economic rebound allowed Warner Bros. to again become profitable. The same year, Zanuck quit. Harry Warner's relationship with Zanuck had become strained after Harry strongly opposed allowing Zanuck's film Baby Face to step outside Hays Code boundaries. The studio reduced his salary as
10720-429: The fire brigade, there were no major injuries. An investigation revealed a design flaw in a bolted joint on the wheel assembly. S&S Worldwide redesigned the flawed components, the ride was tested and it reopened in December. Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. , or abbreviated as WB , or WBEI ) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at
10854-471: The first Looney Tunes cartoon, Sinkin' in the Bathtub , and created a sister series, Merrie Melodies , in 1931. Harman and Ising broke away from Schlesinger in 1933 due to a contractual dispute, taking Bosko with them to MGM. As a result, Schlesinger started his own studio, Leon Schlesinger Productions , which continued with Merrie Melodies while starting production on Looney Tunes starring Buddy ,
10988-453: The five integrated studio-theater chain combinations restrained competition. The Supreme Court heard the case in 1948, and ruled for the government. As a result, Warner and four other major studios were forced to separate production from the exhibition. In 1949, the studio's net profit was only $ 10 million (equivalent to $ 128.06 million in 2023). Warner Bros. had two semi-independent production companies that released films through
11122-490: The flying car and creatures of the Forbidden Forest . Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster opened on 17 June 2002; the $ 13 million Wild Mouse coaster by Mack Rides was themed to the 2002 film Scooby-Doo . The indoor ride featured ghost train elements, an elevator lift and a coaster section. The Harry Potter attraction closed and was replaced in September 2003 by The Official Matrix Exhibit , which featured props from
11256-406: The following year. Inclement weather and subsequent flooding impacted attendance throughout early 2011, however attendance on 26 June reached a new peak since Christmas with more than 10,000 visitors. Sales of " VIP Pass" promotions throughout financial 2011 nearly doubled over the year prior. Green Lantern's opening helped visitor numbers during January 2012 and other additions throughout
11390-641: The founding Warner brothers (born Wonsal, Woron, and Wonskolaser before Anglicization): Harry , Albert , Sam , and Jack Warner. Harry, Albert and Sam emigrated as young children with their Polish-Jewish mother to the United States from Krasnosielc , Poland (then part of Congress Poland within the Russian Empire ), in October 1889, a year after their father emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Baltimore , Maryland . As in many other immigrant families,
11524-451: The governments of England and the United States. By the middle of 1943, however, audiences had tired of war films, but Warner continued to produce them, losing money. In honor of the studio's contributions to the cause, the Navy named a Liberty ship after the brothers' father, Benjamin Warner. Harry christened the ship. By the time the war ended, $ 20 million in war bonds were purchased through
11658-429: The manager of First National Pictures. In 1928, Warner Bros. released Lights of New York , the first all-talking feature. Due to its success, the movie industry converted entirely to sound almost overnight. By the end of 1929, all the major studios were exclusively making sound films. In 1929, First National Pictures released their first film with Warner Bros., Noah's Ark . Despite its expensive budget, Noah's Ark
11792-416: The mega-parks of the United States, Movie World may well disappoint" but it nonetheless offered great family entertainment. Guest exit surveys during opening year signalled highly positive public reception, with around 95% of respondents rating their experience as "excellent". In 1993, The Sydney Morning Herald ' s Robyn Willis praised the breadth of a day's entertainment but cautioned its high cost. At
11926-490: The modern Warner Bros. called the current building owners and arranged to save it. The owners noted people across the country had asked them to protect it for its historical significance. In 1904, the Warners founded the Pittsburgh -based Duquesne Amusement & Supply Company, to distribute films. In 1912, Harry Warner hired an auditor named Paul Ashley Chase . By the time of World War I , they had begun producing films; in
12060-476: The occasion, Premier of Queensland Wayne Goss cut a novelty film reel with Eastwood and Bugs Bunny . The evening prior, 1 June, a special edition episode of Hey Hey It's Saturday ("Hey Hey It's Movie World") shot on-location had host Daryl Somers interview many of the celebrities in attendance, such as Eastwood and Russell. The park opened to the public on 3 June. Between 400 and 500 jobs were created upon its opening. The initial guest admission fee
12194-407: The park's 1991 opening, The Sydney Morning Herald 's Andrew Conway highlighted its emphasis on experiences that captured the "magic world of movies" over thrill rides. He considered Police Academy Stunt Show the standout among several well-themed attractions, but felt the park lacked the scale and grandeur of American influences Disneyland and Universal Studios. He said that "if you've been to
12328-512: The park's first anniversary in 1992, a daily parade featuring Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters was held each afternoon from 1 June. Evenings from 20 June onwards played host to Illuminanza —a sound and light show featuring Batman and Catwoman —followed by screenings of Batman Returns at the Roxy Theatre. Celebrations concluded by 19 July. Easter 1994 was marked with the $ 200,000 Bugs Bunny Megga Easter Party from 1 to 10 April. An evening parade starring 140 cast members concluded with
12462-426: The premiere. Jack became sole head of production. Sam's death also had a great effect on Jack's emotional state, as Sam was arguably Jack's inspiration and favorite brother. In the years to come, Jack kept the studio under tight control. Firing employees was common. Among those whom Jack fired were Rin Tin Tin (in 1929) and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (in 1933), the latter having served as First National's top star since
12596-419: The public. More than one million Christmas lights decorated the park, which hosted festivities such as a Looney Tunes ice-skating show, a Christmas parade and a visit from Santa Claus . The event was immediately popular and reached its maximum 7,500 person capacity on several evenings. Throughout June–July 2014, Carnivale events were held on select evenings and featured music, parades and cuisine inspired by
12730-551: The revival was affected by Berkeley's arrest for killing three people while driving drunk. By the end of the year, people again tired of Warner Bros. musicals, and the studio — after the huge profits made by 1935 film Captain Blood — shifted its focus to Errol Flynn swashbucklers . With the collapse of the market for musicals, Warner Bros., under Zanuck, turned to more socially realistic storylines. Because of its many films about gangsters, Warner Bros. soon became known as
12864-578: The ride building transformed into an Arkham Asylum seized by the Joker and his cohorts. The ride reopened in April. Housed in the former Batman Adventure building, Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D opened in September and incorporated special effects, animatronics and 3D projections . The $ 9 million interactive dark ride attraction was manufactured by Sally Corporation , with additional technologies provided by Alterface , Threshold Entertainment , Bertazzon and others. Hollywood Stunt Driver closed and
12998-529: The site is current until 2027. During its first year of operation, Movie World received 1.2 million visitors, exceeding its conservative target of one million. John Menzies, CEO of Warner Village Theme Parks , said that attendance at Sea World and local competitor Dreamworld was consistent with prior years. "So long as the themes are different, parks like this can [proliferate] ad infinitum", he said. Nationwide theme park attendance grew 12% from 1992 to 1993 and Movie World recorded 1.3 million visitors during
13132-564: The studio hired Midwestern radio announcer Ronald Reagan , who would eventually become the President of the United States . Although Reagan was initially a B-film actor, Warner Bros. was impressed by his performance in the final scene of Knute Rockne, All American , and agreed to pair him with Flynn in Santa Fe Trail (1940). Reagan then returned to B-films. After his performance in the studio's 1942 Kings Row , Warner decided to make Reagan
13266-411: The studio reported a net loss of $ 333,413. After a long period denying Sam's request for sound, Harry agreed to change, as long as the studio's use of synchronized sound was for background music purposes only. The Warners signed a contract with the sound engineer company Western Electric and established Vitaphone . In 1926, Vitaphone began making films with music and effects tracks, most notably, in
13400-467: The studio since 1935. The court ruled in de Havilland's favor and she left the studio in favor of RKO Radio Pictures, and, eventually, Paramount. Through de Havilland's victory, many of the studio's longtime actors were now freed from their contracts, and Harry decided to terminate the studio's suspension policy. The same year, Jack signed newly released MGM actress Joan Crawford , a former top star who found her career fading. Crawford's first role with
13534-587: The studio was 1944's Hollywood Canteen . Her first starring role at the studio, in the title role as Mildred Pierce (1945), revived her career and earned her an Oscar for Best Actress. In the post-war years, Warner Bros. prospered greatly and continued to create new stars, including Lauren Bacall and Doris Day . By 1946, company payroll reached $ 600,000 a week and net profit topped $ 19.4 million (equivalent to $ 303.1 million in 2023). Jack Warner continued to refuse to meet Screen Actors Guild salary demands. In September 1946, employees engaged in
13668-399: The studio was forced to abandon this realistic approach in order to produce more moralistic, idealized pictures. The studio's historical dramas, melodramas (or "women's pictures"), swashbucklers, and adaptations of best-sellers, with stars like Bette Davis , Olivia de Havilland , Paul Muni , and Errol Flynn , avoided the censors. In 1936, Bette Davis, by now arguably the studio's top star,
13802-408: The studio's profit increased substantially. After the success of the studio's 1929 First National film Noah's Ark , Harry agreed to make Michael Curtiz a major director at the Burbank studio. Mort Blumenstock, a First National screenwriter, became a top writer at the brothers' New York headquarters. In the third quarter, Warner Bros. gained complete control of First National, when Harry purchased
13936-508: The studio's top gangster stars after appearing in the successful film, which convinced audiences to question the American legal system. By January 1933, the film's protagonist Robert Elliot Burns—still imprisoned in New Jersey—and other chain gang prisoners nationwide appealed and were released. In January 1933, Georgia chain gang warden J. Harold Hardy—who was also made into a character in
14070-1038: The studio, the Red Cross collected 5,200 pints of blood plasma from studio employees and 763 of the studio's employees served in the armed forces, including Harry Warner's son-in-law Milton Sperling and Jack's son Jack Warner Jr. Following a dispute over ownership of Casablanca 's Oscar for Best Picture, Wallis resigned. After Casablanca made Bogart a top star, Bogart's relationship with Jack deteriorated. In 1943, Olivia de Havilland (whom Warner frequently loaned to other studios) sued Warner for breach of contract. De Havilland had refused to portray famed abolitionist Elizabeth Blackwell in an upcoming film for Columbia Pictures . Warner responded by sending 150 telegrams to different film production companies, warning them not to hire her for any role. Afterwards, de Havilland discovered employment contracts in California could only last seven years ; de Havilland had been under contract with
14204-656: The studio: Doctor X (1932) and Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933). In the latter part of 1931, Harry Warner rented the Teddington Studios in London, England. The studio focused on making " quota quickies " for the domestic British market and Irving Asher was appointed as the studio's head producer. In 1934, Harry officially purchased the Teddington Studios. In February 1933, Warner Bros. produced 42nd Street ,
14338-410: The success of Yankee Doodle Dandy at the box office, Cagney again questioned if the studio would meet his salary demand and again quit to form his own film production and distribution company with Bill. Another employee with whom Warner had troubles was studio producer Bryan Foy . In 1936, Wallis hired Foy as a producer for the studio's low budget B movies leading to his nickname "the keeper of
14472-688: The success of Rin Tin Tin and Lubitsch, Warner's remained a lesser studio. Sam and Jack decided to offer Broadway actor John Barrymore the lead role in Beau Brummel . The film was so successful that Harry signed Barrymore to a long-term contract; like The Marriage Circle , Beau Brummel was named one of the ten best films of the year by the Times . By the end of 1924, Warner Bros. was arguably Hollywood's most successful independent studio, where it competed with "The Big Three" Studios ( First National , Paramount Pictures , and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)). As
14606-512: The success of the "3 Park Super Pass", which recorded a 20% sales increase during Christmas 1997 over the prior year's period, and cited the Gold Coast's theme park industry as a major domestic tourism drawcard. A 20% decline in attendance during 2000 was attributed to Y2K hysteria, but the "Super Pass" deal continued to be popular, contributing about one third of park ticket sales. There were more than 10 million lifetime visitors by 2001. International visits that year were negatively impacted by
14740-564: The theme park more than in the studio. In July 1989, the two companies entered a joint venture to develop the park with Pivot Leisure, part-owners of a property trust in Sea World , a local marine mammal park . American designer C. V. Wood was commissioned that year to design the park. He had six park designs in his portfolio at the time, including Six Flags Over Texas and Disneyland , and modelled Movie World's layout on Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park . It
14874-459: The third top 1930s gangster actor into the Warners fold, knowing that he could carry any gangster picture when either Robinson or Cagney were on suspension. Raft had difficulty working with Bogart and refused to co-star with him. Eventually, Warner agreed to release Raft from his contract in 1943. After Raft had turned the role down, the studio gave Bogart the role of "Mad Dog" Roy Earle in the 1941 film High Sierra , which helped establish him as
15008-472: The thirties and forties, even though it was clearly the most budget-conscious of them all." — Film historian Andrew Sarris in "You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet.": The American Talking Film History & Memory, 1927–1949 . Another gangster film the studio produced was the critically acclaimed I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang , based on a true story and starring Paul Muni , joining Cagney and Robinson as one of
15142-410: The time. Its replacement, the $ 10 million Hollywood Stunt Driver , opened on Boxing Day. A cast of 10 stunt drivers were selected from more than 200 applicants and, in preparation for the show, the venue was renovated to increase its stage area and seating capacity from 1,400 to 2,000 guests. Another new live show, Looney Tunes: What's Up Rock?, replaced The Musical Revue. In October, construction of
15276-610: The treatment of Hearst's longstanding mistress, actress Marion Davies , who was struggling for box office success. Through his partnership with Hearst, Warner signed Davies to a studio contract. Hearst's company and Davies' films, however, did not increase the studio's profits. In 1934, the studio lost over $ 2.5 million, of which $ 500,000 was the result of a 1934 fire at the Burbank studio, destroying 20 years' worth of early Vitagraph, Warner Bros. and First National films. The following year, Hearst's film adaption of William Shakespeare 's A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) failed at
15410-446: The unit with indifference, beginning with the installation as senior producer of Edward Selzer , whom the creative staff considered an interfering incompetent. Jack Warner had little regard for the company's short film product and reputedly was so ignorant about the studio's animation division that he was mistakenly convinced that the unit produced cartoons of Mickey Mouse , the flagship character of Walt Disney Productions . He sold off
15544-464: The unit's pre-August 1948 library for $ 3,000 each, which proved a shortsighted transaction in light of its eventual value. Warner Bros. Cartoons continued, with intermittent interruptions, until 1969 when it was dissolved as the parent company ceased its production of film shorts entirely. Characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety , Sylvester , and Porky Pig became central to the company's image in subsequent decades. Bugs in particular remains
15678-516: The war, eliminating its B Pictures unit in 1941. Bryan Foy joined Twentieth Century Fox. During the war era, the studio made Casablanca ; Now, Voyager ; Yankee Doodle Dandy (all 1942); This Is the Army , and Mission to Moscow (both 1943). The last of these films became controversial a few years afterwards. At the premieres of Yankee Doodle Dandy (in Los Angeles, New York, and London), audiences purchased $ 15.6 million in war bonds for
15812-581: The year boosted attendance by 27% in financial half-year 2013 over the prior period. By financial year's end, more than 2 million annual visitors were recorded for the first time. Later in 2013, Village partnered with Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure for a $ 15 million Gold Coast marketing campaign. 2014 additions such as the Carnivale event and Junior Driving School attraction were highlighted as yearly attendance draws. Fright Nights had its most successful season to date and White Christmas attendance grew 22% over
15946-447: The year prior. By 2016, the park had received an average of 1.4 million visitors per year. The fallout from Dreamworld's October 2016 Thunder River Rapids incident , in which four patrons were killed, had a significant impact on industry performance. By January 2017, combined attendance at Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Sea World had dropped 12%. The $ 30 million investment for DC Rivals—Australia's first major theme park attraction since
16080-477: Was $ 29 for adults and $ 19 for children. With increased international tourism to the Gold Coast since the 1980s, Village had hoped to tap into a market with American and Japanese customers; attractions were subtitled, and tour guides were trained, in Japanese . Described as the world's first "movie-based theme park" built outside the United States and the first "American-style" theme park since Tokyo Disneyland , it
16214-565: Was Australia's first inverted coaster and its construction required more than 600 tonnes of steel. Marvin the Martian in 3D opened in December 1997 at the Roxy Theatre as the world's first animated 3D film and on Boxing Day , 26 December, Looney Tunes Land reopened as Looney Tunes Village with several new rides. Boxing Day 1998 saw the opening of the Wild Wild West (now Wild West Falls Adventure Ride ). The flume ride by Hopkins Rides
16348-458: Was Doomsday Destroyer, a Suspended Twin Hammer thrill ride designed by Intamin. Statues of DC supervillains (such as Harley Quinn and Scarecrow ) were activated by RFID wristbands to interact with guests. The same month, optional virtual reality headsets were added to Arkham Asylum's ride experience. DC Rivals HyperCoaster opened on 22 September 2017. The $ 30 million Mack Rides hypercoaster
16482-838: Was at its time the single largest ride investment in Village's history, and as of 2020 is Australia's tallest, fastest and longest coaster. An Aquaman exhibition opened on 13 December 2018 to feature props and costumes used in the film. Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster closed for maintenance from July to November; it was refurbished with new projection mapping technologies and other special effects, and rebranded as Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster: Next Generation for its re-opening in December. The WB Studio Showcase, opened on 1 November 2019, exhibited props, sets and costumes from numerous Warner films such as Suicide Squad , Mad Max: Fury Road and A Star Is Born . Later that month, Australian students of New York Film Academy (NYFA) began to offer guests
16616-407: Was at the time the largest single ride investment in Australia and featured an artificial mountain that was approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft) wide and 32 metres (105 ft) tall. Originally to be called Rio Bravo after the 1959 Western film of the same name , the ride was renamed to tie-in with the 1999 film Wild Wild West . In their annual report, Village identified Wild Wild West as
16750-475: Was attributed to unseasonably poor weather during the key summer months. Various discounting and marketing strategies were devised to offset hardship after the global financial crisis . A "Q150 Pass" promotion introduced in April 2009 was extended beyond its original September expiry into the Christmas–New Year holiday. The promotional efforts contributed to increased profitability and attendance over
16884-587: Was expected to draw between one and 1.5 million visitors within its first year. Opening attractions at Movie World educated guests about the processes behind filmmaking . Marketing slogans billed it as "Hollywood on the Gold Coast" and its design was intended to capture the aesthetic of American theme parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios. Beyond the Fountain of Fame opening plaza, Main Street featured replicas of buildings and facades from various Warner films, such as Rick's Café Américain from Casablanca ,
17018-504: Was extended into the following evening. It has since become Fright Nights, an annual tradition. In 2010, a DC Heroes vs. Villains parade ran during the June–July school holiday period to celebrate DC Comics' 75th anniversary. In partnership with the Gold Coast's newspaper and AFL team , a Christmas charity event was held on 3 December for 3,000 disadvantaged locals. Later that month, the first annual White Christmas events were held for
17152-588: Was murdered by the Nazis in Berlin in 1936. Harry produced the successful anti-German film The Life of Emile Zola (1937). After that, Harry supervised the production of more anti-German films, including Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939), The Sea Hawk (1940), which made King Philip II an equivalent of Hitler , Sergeant York , and You're In The Army Now (1941). Harry then decided to focus on producing war films. Warners' cut its film production in half during
17286-494: Was profitable. In 1929, Warner Bros. released On with the Show! , the first all-color all-talking feature. This was followed by Gold Diggers of Broadway which would play in theaters until 1939. The success of these pictures caused a color revolution. Warner Bros. color films from 1929 to 1931 included The Show of Shows (1929), Sally (1929), Bright Lights (1930), Golden Dawn (1930), Hold Everything (1930), Song of
17420-431: Was released. On April 4, 1923, with help from money loaned to Harry by his banker Motley Flint, they formally incorporated as Warner Bros. Pictures, Incorporated . (As late as the 1960s, Warner Bros. claimed 1905 as its founding date.) The first important deal was the acquisition of the rights to Avery Hopwood 's 1919 Broadway play, The Gold Diggers , from theatrical impresario David Belasco . However, Rin Tin Tin ,
17554-527: Was replaced by its sequel on 20 February 2014, a revamped show that featured Showtime FMX motocross riders who performed more complex stunts than before. The $ 4 million Junior Driving School, where riders navigate a miniature Movie World replica, opened at the Kids' WB Fun Zone on 12 September. Built on the former Boot Hill Graveyard, the DC Comics Super-Villains Unleashed interactive precinct opened in September 2016. Its main attraction
17688-475: Was scaled to let up to 13,000 guests visit all attractions in a single day, even during peak periods. Construction took about 16 months, relied on labour from local workers as much as possible and cost an estimated $ 120–140 million, of which Pivot contributed about $ 30 million. The opening ceremony held on 2 June 1991 was attended by more than 5,000 people, among them celebrities such as Clint Eastwood , Mel Gibson , Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell . To mark
17822-441: Was the park's first major thrill ride in about a decade. Batwing Spaceshot , a $ 5 million Space Shot by S&S Power , opened in December 2006. Looney Tunes Village was renamed to Kids' WB Fun Zone in 2007, with two new rides added. Police Academy Stunt Show drew its final curtain call on 30 April 2008 after 16 years and 18,000 performances; the enduringly popular attraction was among the world's longest-running stunt shows at
17956-447: Was unhappy with her roles. She traveled to England and tried to break her contract. Davis lost the lawsuit and returned to America. Although many of the studio's employees had problems with Jack Warner, they considered Albert and Harry fair. In the 1930s many actors and actresses who had characterized the realistic pre-Code era, but who were not suited to the new trend into moral and idealized pictures, disappeared. Warner Bros. remained
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