Here at Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., stories aren’t just told. They are made. Columbia Pictures has been a major force in Hollywood since its humble beginnings.
Founded in 1918 as CBC Film Sales, Columbia Pictures initially produced low-budget short films. Harry and Jack Cohn together with Joe Brandt started this venture. Legend has it that some in Hollywood joked CBC stood for Corned Beef and Cabbage.
In 1924, the studio rebranded as Columbia Pictures Corporation. Harry Cohn took the helm. He ran Columbia with an iron fist for 34 years. His tenure is second only to Jack Warner.
Frank Capra’s arrival marked a turning point for Columbia Pictures. Capra directed a string of hits. These included “It Happened One Night” in 1934. This film solidified Columbia’s place among the major studios.
Columbia Pictures couldn’t afford a large stable of stars. The studio borrowed them from other studios. MGM even nicknamed Columbia Siberia. It was used as a way to punish less obedient signings. Despite this, Jean Arthur and Cary Grant became associated with Columbia in the 1930s.
Harry Cohn signed The Three Stooges in 1934. Rejected by MGM, the Stooges made 190 shorts for Columbia.
In the 1940s, Rita Hayworth became Columbia’s premier star. She propelled the studio’s fortunes.
Columbia didn’t own any theaters. This proved to be an advantage after the 1948 anti-trust decision. Columbia rose to become one of the Big Five studios.
In 1948, Columbia adopted the Screen Gems name for its television production. Screen Gems produced sitcoms like “Father Knows Best” and “Bewitched”.
Harry Cohn passed away in 1958.
Coca-Cola bought Columbia in 1982. Later, Sony acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment in 1989.
The Columbia Pictures logo features a woman carrying a torch. She represents Columbia, the female personification of the United States. The current logo was created in 1992. Artist Michael Deas hired Jenny Joseph to model.
Today, Columbia Pictures continues to create memorable films. It is a flagship unit of Sony Pictures. From Spider-Man to Ghostbusters, Columbia’s films entertain audiences worldwide. Columbia Pictures remains a vital part of Hollywood history.