• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
MousePlanet – your resource for all things Disney

MousePlanet - your resource for all things Disney

You are here: Home / Opinion / Help Save a Universal Landmark

Help Save a Universal Landmark

September 11, 2000 by David Koenig

MousePlanet -Mouse Tales’ David Koenig

Help Save a Universal Studios Landmark

The classic
Disney parks get all the publicity.
Coaster fans prefer the “steel”
parks. But, for my money, the best theme park attraction in the world can’t
be found at any of them. It’s at Universal Studios Hollywood: a real, live,
working movie studio. Here, you can tour not only sets and props from movies
and TV shows currently in production, but also settings from such classics
as Frankenstein, Spartacus, Psycho, The Sting,
and Back to the Future.

Alas, one of Universal’s most historically significant movie sets is
about to be demolished. It may already be too late. Certainly, this facade
doesn’t generate as much attention as the big rubber shark from Jaws
or any of the slick new theme park rides. But most visitors to the park
since it officially opened in 1964 probably photographed it or have at
least seen it, possibly without even knowing what it was. After all, few
remember the movie it was created for 35 years ago (though Leonard Maltin
calls it “intriguing” and gives it three stars). To them, it’s
just an atmospheric, medieval- looking tower.

The walls are up already around the tower -photo taken Friday September 8th

The walls are up already around the
tower. All photos taken Friday, September 8.

In truth, the Warlord Tower was built for the 1965 movie The War Lord
starring Charlton Heston, Richard Boone and Guy Stockwell. In early 1966,
the structure was moved to the tram entrance. For the first time, guests
could touch or have their picture taken in front of a facade that was
actually used in a movie. The tower was featured in advertising photos
for the tour through the 1960s and 1970s.

Well-worn sign on door tells visitors about the tower
Well-worn sign on door tells visitors about the tower

In the early years, the tower was really the first thing guests noticed when they approached the park. As such, it likely influenced the first thing guests notice when they approach Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park in Florida: a much taller, more stylized old brick tower.

The Warlord Tower has been moved at least twice due to construction of new park features. During the last few years, Hercules, Xena and the classic Universal monsters have been using it as a backdrop to pose in front of for guest photos. The merchandise department uses the inside for storage.

Another view of the tower from below
Another view of the tower from below

Unfortunately, plans are to tear down the structure within the next few weeks … or days. The park is expanding its Woody Woodpecker Clubhouse playground area and adding some kiddie rides like those at Knott’s Camp Snoopy for a spring 2001 unveiling (Universal historically has offered very little amusement for small children). As you can see in the photos here, workmen already have begun ripping up the area.

The tower, says one veteran employee, “has a lot of sentimental value for the old-timers who work at USH and some of our regular guests, too. Though it may be a little fragile after 34 years, it could still be moved again, I think. Employees have signed several petitions to save the tower, but it doesn’t look good for its future.”

Other front-line workers, in fact, were unaware that any petitions had been circulated. “That’s funny,” remarked one bewildered employee. “The tower will be gone in the next few days. No way will it be staying. It really is just a shell. I am surprised that it has stayed standing all these years. But, yes, it has been one of the only things that has been here since the park opened.”

The tower today tends to get lost, this view shows its location between the Back to the Future ride and the Animal Actors Stage
The tower today tends to get lost, this view shows its location between the Back to the Future ride and Animal Actors Stage

Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, the tower hasn’t already been reduced to rubble. We’ve included contact information on the right hand column on this page so you can let Universal know you’d like to see this little piece of movie history retained for future visitors.

Remember, public pressure is the only thing that keeps Mr. Lincoln employed at Disneyland. Let’s hope Universal chooses to respect its own all-but-forgotten history.


You can write to David atthis link..

CONTACT INFO

I urge movie and theme park fans to voice their concerns by call Guest Relations at (818) 622-3735. A live operator should answer at this number during park hours of 9 a.m. -7 p.m. PST. 

Also, please contact Larry Kurzweil, (818) 622-3998, larry.kurzweil@ unistudios.com, or Mike Taylor, (818) 622-5899.

Or you may write them at Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, SC5511-6, Universal City, Ca. 91608


 


Author

  • David Koenig
    David Koenig

    View all posts

Filed Under: Opinion

Primary Sidebar

Categories

MousePlanet has a new home!

Welcome to the new home (and new look) of MousePlanet! We’re currently performing a long overdue replatforming of our site to utilize newer technology and provide a cleaner experience for you, our readers.

The site is still a work in progress. We know that some features are not fully operational yet, but our crackerjack team of ninja hamsters is working to bring the site back to full functionality as quickly as possible.

To sate the demands of those who can never get enough of MousePlanet, our decades of articles and park Updates are again available, but there remains work to be done, including getting many more of our images optimized and loading properly. Thanks for your support!

Ready to book your next Disney vacation?

As always, the experts at MousePlanet’s travel partner Get Away Today are ready to guide the way and help you plan the best vacation ever.

Book your travel

 

Footer

MousePlanet is your independent consumer guide to Disney travel and vacations, covering Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line. Look to MousePlanet for daily news, weekly theme park updates, and detailed travel and resort guides for your favorite Disney destinations. As with any endeavor of this size and complexity, we couldn't hope to succeed without the assistance of our readers. We encourage you to submit news, updates and feedback from your Disney travels.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • About MousePlanet
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

MousePlanet is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries. or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews. and guides about the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please contact destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.

Copyright © 2025 Mouseplanet.com ยท Log in