The TCM Classic Films Tour started service on Tuesday following a sneak peek and grand opening event that was held on the Burbank lot on Tuesday morning.
By Judy Shields
Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank (The Hollywood Times) 04/17/2024
Just in time for TCM Classic Film Festival you can now add this amazing fun Classic Films Tour on an awesomely designed Classic Films Tour tram.
The media was invited for a fun filled morning to do just that, take the Classic Films Tour. We all met at the front lobby where there was a Starbucks and the Warner Bros. Store and most importantly, TCM Classic Film Festival merchandise, which was staged perfectly in the TCM classic fashion. Here are few photos to start us off:
Next up was the beginning of the tour which is one room with movie making info and of course classic films too.
Before we took our shortened one hour tour of the Warner Bros. lot TCM and Warner Bros. had a wonderful breakfast spread with bagels, croissants, bear claws, protein bars, bananas, apples and tangelos, chips, coffee, water, juices and drinks for us to enjoy. It turned out to be a hotter day than most of us expected and the sun was shining bright.
After enjoying some delicious food we all found a seat to get ready for the panel that was going to take place. We all got a great surprise with the appearance of the Los Angeles Marching band. Here is a video of some of their performance and the panel conversations with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and Dave Karger, Danny Kahn, VP & GM WB Studios Tour Hollywood, George Feltenstein WBD Librarian Historian and special guest actor Burton Gilliam. Who doesn’t like to hear Ben speak and let’s face it, he is comedian at heart. He always gets us laughing and Dave, well Dave can hold his own. They both made this event extra special. Thank you both!
Enjoy the video:
The new 3.5-hour tour will take classic film buffs through the Golden Age of Hollywood as part of a celebration of 30 years of TCM, with iconic films from the Warner Bros. library featured along the way.
Before stepping into the magic, guests will enter the state-of-the-art deluxe screening room, located at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Welcome Center, to admire historical photographs from the Warner Bros. archive and enjoy a newly curated introduction video from the hosts of TCM: Ben Mankiewicz, Eddie Muller, Jacqueline Stewart, Alicia Malone, and Dave Karger.
The TCM Classic Films Tour lasts approximately three and a half hours, including 90 minutes with an expert Tour Guide and two hours of self-guided experiences. The tour includes a visit to Stage 48: Script to Screen, an interactive sound stage highlighting different steps of film production and iconic sets, including the Central Perk Set from Friends and Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment from The Big Bang Theory. The tour’s grand finale is Action and Magic Made Here, showcasing the DC Universe and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. The tour concludes with a Celebration of Warner Bros., showcasing awards and original props and costumes from classic titles including Casablanca, The Music Man, and My Fair Lady.
We got to stop at the huge 3-story “Property House” which also has a basement we were told, which is home to more than half a million props from film and television. Once we entered it made me feel like I was out antique shopping. I asked our tour guide if Warner Bros. takes donations, because I have lots of western stuff of my late fathers. He said they do indeed. I will have to look into that! Here are a few photos we took:
Among new points of interest on the tour, you will be able to see the exterior of James Dean’s apartment where he lived while working on the lot, since James Dean made his own hours, Mr. Warner thought it would be to keep him on the lot to solve that problem. A rose garden that previously served as a tennis court for former company president Jack Warner, as well as the Eastwood Scoring Stage which was built in 1929 and has since been the place where hundreds of productions have been scored.
Danny Kahn, vice president and general manager of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, said the partnership with TCM was a natural fit for the studio tour because it “showcases and preserves” beloved classic films found in the WB library and the Studio Tour provides guests with the opportunity to connect with the films on a deeper level.
“For 100 years, Warner Bros. has stood for the very best in moviemaking and TCM has continued to spotlight the legacy of the studio with incredible program offerings throughout its 30 years,” said studio heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy in a joint release. “We are thrilled movie lovers from around the world can visit the iconic Burbank lot to experience the TCM Classic Films Tour and celebrate the rich history of the studio’s contributions to cinema.”
There is a SoCal Discount price, so gather the whole family and come enjoy all things Warner Bros. and TCM Classic films and costumes. The kids will truly enjoy the DC comic heroes and all the gadgets to go along with their heroes. Who doesn’t want to buy some coffee from Central Perk and enjoy the taste. There are interactive greenscreens from Harry Potter that will thrill the kids and big kids too. So don’t miss this opportunity, get your tickets today.
Tickets, details, and availability for all tours are available at wbstudiotour.com.
Photos The Hollywood Times
Photos by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
About Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood gets you closer to the entertainment you love by taking you on the lot of a real working studio. As a recipient of Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards and recognized as one of the Top 25 Attractions in the United States, the Studio Tour gives guests a revealing look behind the camera at how Hollywood magic is made. From TV shows like Friends, Abbott Elementary, The Big Bang Theory, and ER to beloved films like Casablanca, Rebel Without a Cause, Batman, and Harry Potter, fans get to explore a studio over 100 years old as they touch, tour, and visit the real sets and soundstages on the iconic 110-acre backlot where the greatest names in entertainment made history. Also, the Warner Bros. Studio Store, offering exclusive merchandise, is open to the public and does not require a tour ticket to shop.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is open Monday through Sunday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with studio tours departing every 30 minutes. Advanced bookings are recommended, and children five years or older are welcome. For the best value, book your tickets online at wbstudiotour.com or by calling +1 818-977-8687.
About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents classic films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting “where then meets now.” TCM features the insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart, and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. With more than two decades as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also directly connects with movie fans with offerings such as the TCM Wine Club, TCM Auctions and the TCM Library in addition to popular events such as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise. TCM also produces the wildly successful podcast “The Plot Thickens,” which has had more than 7 million downloads to date. TCM hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a classic movie experience on the TCM hub on Max.
