PRESS RELEASE - 1983:
Universal Studios Tour, an excursion behind-the-scenes through Hollywood's biggest and busiest movie and television studio, is celebrating it's 20th birthday this July. The Tour, which started modestly by giving tram tours daily to less than 200 people, is today California's third-most popular attraction.

In 1983, more than 3.5 million guests are anticipated to visit the 420-acre entertainment complex, which produces more prime-time television series and movies and more feature films that any other studio in the world.

To help celebrate the Tour's 20th year in operation, Universal creative and special effects experts are devising the Tour's most complex and rousing attraction to date, "The Adventures of Conan", a sword and sorcery spectacular.

Insprired by the popular 1982 Universal Pictures release Conan the Barbarian, the new Tour show will be a $3.75 million production featuring state of the art, never before seen laser and pyrotechnic special effects, combined with the skills and computer-coordinated animated characters.

The "Adventures of Conan" production team led by tour vice- president Peter Alexander and a staff of top Hollywood special effects and dramatic consultants, recently announced that the show will debut June 18. They are currently perfecting and safety testing the myriad of delicate special effects, including an 18-foot tall, fire-breathing dragon that shoots twin lasers from its eyes.

The dragon, controlled by a series of sensitive computers, appears during the climax of the show. According to Alexander, the special effects contained in the dragon - when combined with the show's magical illusions, other lasers, live actors and animated characters - is a first in live theatre, anywhere.

"The Adventures of Conan" is located in the heart of the Tour's Visitors Entertainment Center, site of three other live shows, two museums, exhibits, shops, food and refreshment stands and leisure-picnic areas.