During my trip to Burbank this past Tuesday, I made time for a short visit to meet with Brandon Alinger of the Prop Store of London at their Los Angeles facility. While at their offices, I took the opportunity to shoot a few brief videos (approximately 1-2 minutes each) with Brandon to feature and provide some background on some of the more interesting showcase pieces on display. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2009: Short Video Interview with Mark Hamill (Return of the Jedi Lightsaber, “Lost” Tatooine Cave Scene)
While attending San Diego Comic Con, I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy. Based on an article written last week (see Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)), and a series of articles published in 2007 (see Market Watch | Elstree Props | Return of the Jedi), I thought it would be a good opportunity to ask Mr. Hamill a few questions about the original lightsaber props he used in Return of the Jedi, as well as address the long-running controversy as to whether he filmed a scene in which he portrayed his character building his new lightsaber. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2009: Original Movie Props on Display by Profiles in History (ABC’s LOST Auction Photos)
As part of the continuing coverage of original props and costumes at San Diego Comic Con, below are photos of costumes and props on display at the Profiles in History exhibitor space. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2009: Video Interview with The Prop Store of London (Stephen Lane, Brandon Alinger, Tim Lawes, Dan Hill)
I had an opportunity to meet and chat with Stephen Lane, Tim Lawes, Brandon Alinger, and Dan Hill of The Prop Store of London while at San Diego Comic Con. The video interview includes an introduction of the group, a review of the original props and costumes on display at the show, and a discussion of their experience at the convention this year. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2009: Original Movie Props on Display by The Prop Store of London
As part of the continuing coverage of original props and costumes at San Diego Comic Con, below are photos of costumes and props on display at the Prop Store of London exhibitor space. [Read more…]
Revisting the Elstree Props “Return of the Jedi” Star Wars Lightsabers: The $50,000 Question (Original or Replica?)
This is an update to a series of articles about two prop lightsabers marketed by Paul Harrison, at the time owner of Elstree Props, which were described as original pieces made for the film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. No such lightsabers appear in the finished film. Though it has been some time since the last update, published in late 2007, I have obtained new information. Included in this feature are photos of one of the props that I’ve been told were taken in late 2005, of a newly made custom replica lightsaber, prior to delivery to Paul Harrison. The prop in these photos clearly matches one of the two Elstree Props lightsabers. Was a newly made replica prop listed for sale to the public for $50,000.00? [Read more…]
“The Cinema of George Lucas” Movie Artifact Exhibit at NASA’s Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston in Texas is hosting “The Cinema of George Lucas” through September 20, 2009. The exhibition includes original props and other artifacts from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises and other films that Lucas has been involved with producing/writing/directing. [Read more…]
Shepperton Design Studios Expands Line of “Post Lawsuit” Unlicensed Replica Star Wars Props
Following legal battles in both the United States and the United Kingdom over the sale unlicensed Stormtrooper helmets – which resulted in both Andrew Ainsworth’s Shepperton Design Studios and George Lucas’ Lucasfilm Ltd. claiming victory – Ainsworth’s SDS today announced the sale of “E11 Blasters”, that boast “all the features of the most complicated blaster used in ANH“. [Read more…]