Universal Digs Into Archives to Celebrate 100 Years of Movie History Throughout 2012

Universal Pictures is launching a yearlong centennial celebration to celebrate 100 years of the studio's history and legacy. The studio's goal is to engage with a range of audiences; the studio will restore thirteen titles, including "To Kill a Mockingbird," "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Jaws," "The Sting," "Out of Africa," "Frankenstein" and "Schindler's List." Universal will also mount theme park festivities, will release classics on Blu-ray, including the Alfred Hitchcock TV series and Steven spielberg's classic "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" (celebrating its 30th anniversary), and will unveil a new animated centennial logo in front of "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" in February.

Check out the official Centennial website here, which will feature archival content (we've included an iconic "Jaws" clip below).

Universal's Ron Meyer states: “Our centennial is designed to bring special memories back to longtime movie lovers and fans, and to engage new audiences with our extraordinary library of films for the first time. Our goal, 100 years later, is to preserve, restore and continue the iconic legacy of this studio for generations to come."

More information below:

In the spring, select fans will have the opportunity to attend a special gala anniversary celebration on the lot featuring many of the filmmakers and artists who shaped the studios history. In addition, the studio will spotlight the 100th Anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals and other featured events, panels and activities.

On April 30, 1912, Universal Film Manufacturing Company filed its certificate of incorporation with the state of New York. In 1915, Carl Laemmle officially opened Universal City, the largest film production facility in the world. Throughout Universal’s 100 years, the studio has served as a home for many of the most talented filmmakers of all time (such as Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Peter Jackson, Spike Lee, John Hughes and Judd Apatow)  and created films that have touched the hearts of millions and fueled culture’s fascination with cinema. To share the profound legacy of its artists, the studio will highlight their careers with touching personal stories from filmmakers, talent, crews, employees and fans.