The Culver Studios

History

Our studios have a long track record of producing some of the most celebrated shows and movies in the business because we provide an environment for creativity that makes success easier. See this in our history.

1918
A Studio is Built

A Studio is Built

Silent movie pioneer Thomas Ince builds the studio. The Mansion is the first building to go up on the lot.

1924
New Ownership

New Ownership

After Ince’s suspicious death aboard William Randolph Hearst’s yacht, the studio is purchased by Producer/Director
Cecil B. DeMille.

1928
RKO Acquires Studio

RKO Acquires Studio

RKO acquires the studios and controls it for years bringing stardom to Bette Davis, Robert Mitchum, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

1933
King Kong

King Kong

“You won’t find that island on any chart.”

— CARL DENHAM
1938
A Star is Born

A Star is Born

“I’m going out there and BE somebody!”

— ESTHER BLODGETT
1940

Ghostly Figure

Stage hands high in the catwalks have reportedly been confronted by a ghostly figure resembling Thomas Ince.

1940

Citizen Kane & Spellbound

Orson Wells’ Citizen Kane and Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound are filmed on the lot.

1940
Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane

“Rosebud…”

— CHARLES FOSTER KANE
1950
Howard Hughes Acquires RKO Pictures

Howard Hughes Acquires RKO Pictures

Multi-millionaire tycoon and movie producer Howard Hughes acquires RKO Pictures.

1956
Desilu Productions

Desilu Productions

Desilu Productions, co–owned by husband and wife Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, purchases the lot and television emerged as the primary business conducted at the studio.

1959
The Untouchables

The Untouchables

“There is nothing in that area… except an old abandoned warehouse.”

— POLICE OFFICER
1960
Andy Griffith Show

Andy Griffith Show

“If there’s anything that upsets me, it’s having people say I’m sensitive.”

— BARNEY FIFE
1965
Hogan’s Heroes

Hogan’s Heroes

“ I see NOTHING! I know NOTHING!”

— SCHULTZ
1966
Batman (TV Show)

Batman (TV Show)

“Holy atomic pile, Batman!”

— ROBIN
1967
Star Trek (Pilot)

Star Trek (Pilot)

“Check the circuit.”

— SPOCK
1978
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

“With a little help from my friends.”

— THE BAND
1980
Raging Bull

Raging Bull

“I got these small hands. I got a little girl’s hands.”

— JAKE LAMOTTA
1981
E.T.

E.T.

“I’ll… be… right… here.”

— E.T.
1986
Pee-Wee’s Playhouse

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse

“Mekka Lekka Hi-Mekka Hiney Ho.”

— JAMBI
1986

Studio Renovation

Grant Tinker and Gannett buy the lot and complete a $26 million renovation and restore the studio’s original luster and beauty.

1987
Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

“Six bucks and my right nut says we’re not landing in Chicago.”

— DEL GRIFFITH
1988
Bettlejuice

Bettlejuice

“Pardon me. Did you do that?”

— BEETLEJUICE
1989
Baywatch

Baywatch

“Are you sure this is a life guard initiation thing?”

— LT. STEPHANIE HOLDEN
1991
1991
Bugsy

Bugsy

“You thought you could steal from ME?”

— BUGSY SIEGEL
1992
A Few Good Men

A Few Good Men

“Walk softly and carry an armored tank division, I always say.”

— COL. JESSEP
1992
1995
Nixon

Nixon

“There’s a cancer in the presidency and it’s growing.”

— JOHN DEAN
1997
Fallen

Fallen

“Time is on my side, yes it is.”

— AZAZEL
1998
Armageddon

Armageddon

“I ain’t gonna kill him. I’m just gonna take a foot off of him. A man can work with one foot.”

— HARRY STAMPER
1999
The Matrix

The Matrix

“You take the blue pill, the story ends… You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland.”

— MORPHEUS
2001
Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde

“Bend and snap.”

— ELLE WOODS
2002
Kill Bill

Kill Bill

“Wiggle your big toe.”

— THE BRIDE
2004
2004
Arrested Development

Arrested Development

“I’m a monster.”

— BUSTER
2006
Deal or No Deal

Deal or No Deal

“Hi Howie.”

— ALL 26 MODELS
2006
Night at the Museum

Night at the Museum

“ I’m made of wax, Larry. What are you made of?”

— TEDDY ROOSEVELT
2007
I am Legend

I am Legend

“What the hell are you doing out here Fred?”

— NEVILLE
2008
Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton)

Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton)

“Off with their heads!”

— THE RED QUEEN
2009
America’s Next Top Model

America’s Next Top Model

“If conceited drag queens are ‘in’, she’s got a shot at being America’s Next Top Model.”

— NIGEL BARKER
2009
Cougar Town

Cougar Town

“I know, you’re impressed.”

— BOBBY COBB
2009
Giada at Home

Giada at Home

“Ricotta.”

— GIADA DE LAURENTIIS
2011
X-Men First Class

X-Men First Class

“How would you like a job where you get to keep your clothes on?”

— PROFESSOR CHARLES XAVIER
2012
The Campaign

The Campaign

“Bring your brooms ’cause it’s a mess.”

— MARTY HUGGINS
2012
Argo

Argo

“Argo F**k Yourself.”

— LESTER SIEGEL
2013
Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley

“It’s about a predatory flautist who murders children in a cave.”

— JARED
2014
2014
All the Way

All the Way

“Politics is War… Period.”

— LYNDON B. JOHNSON
2017
Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies

“I love my grudges, I tend to them like little pets.”

— MADELINE
2017
The Last Ship

The Last Ship

“Okay. Here’s the plan, boys. Win.”

— MIKE SLATTERLY
2017
2018
2021