This is part of my new, ongoing series of YouTube videos, with this one serving as a direct update to an article published here on the Original Prop Blog back in May of 2010. At that time, there were questions about a prop lightsaber up for auction attributed to the character of Darth Vader in the film, Return of the Jedi. Some of these questions were raised in my article published on May 31, 2010 (Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 40′ Video Preview: Darth Vader Lightsaber Prop from ‘Return of the Jedi’). Don Bies, former curator of the Lucasfilm Archives, has provided some information relevant to those outstanding questions, which is shared in this latest YouTube video. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015: “Secrets of the Cantina” Discussion Panel
The “Secrets of the Cantina” panel at Star Wars Celebration was one of the events that I was most looking forward to, and it did not disappoint. Featuring co-presenters Pablo Hidalgo from the Lucasfilm Story Group and Tom Spina of Tom Spina Designs, they delved deep into the mythos of one of the most popular scenes from Star Wars: A New Hope, talking exclusively about those creatures (and ugly humans) that inhabited that infamous bar. At times playing out like a spoken word CSI: Tatooine, they talked about some of the crazy methods they’ve developed to identify some of the actors behind the monsters, as well as the actors who played parts with make-up but without the masks. [Read more…]
Jason “The Movie Prop King” White Launches Video Prop Blog on YouTube
A long-time principal collector in the hobby, Jason White, also known as “The Movie Prop King“, has started a project of uploading and sharing dozens of historical videos from his decades of collecting which includes some amazing footage for those interested in original movie and television props and costumes. [Read more…]
Tom Spina Designs Video Features Bob Burns and ‘American Werewolf in London’ Restoration
Tom Spina and his amazing restoration of an original American Werewolf in London piece created by Academy Award-winning special effects master Rick Baker and owned by Bob Burns, as covered back in 2008, is now the focus of a new video feature published by Tom Spina Designs on YouTube. [Read more…]
Profiles in History ‘Hollywood Auction 40′ Video Preview: Darth Vader Lightsaber Prop from ‘Return of the Jedi’
This is the sixth in a video series highlighting props and costumes in the upcoming Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 40”. This segment provides Joe Maddalena, CEO of Profiles in History, an opportunity to discuss the provenance of a prop lightsaber attributed to use by the character Darth Vader in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. This is one of many props being sold in the auction event, to be held June 10-12 in Calabasas Hills, CA.
Christie’s Publishes “eVanity” Online Catalog for Original Movie Prop “King Kong” Stop-Motion Armature
As has been covered in prior articles, an original King Kong stop-motion armature movie prop is being offered for sale at auction by Christie’s on November 24th. Christie’s has now published an “eVanity” online brochure promoting this important piece with additional photos and details. [Read more…]
Christie’s Original Prop “King Kong” Stop-Motion Armature – High Resolution Photography
There has been significant interest in the King Kong stop-motion armature that is scheduled to be auctioned in Christie’s “Pop Culture” auction event on November 24, 2009 at South Kensignton, as reported on Monday (see Christie’s November 2009 Entertainment Memorabilia Auction to Feature Original Prop “King Kong” Stop-Motion Armature and UPDATE). Christie’s has since provided the Original Prop Blog with additional high resolution photography. [Read more…]
Christie’s November 2009 Entertainment Memorabilia Auction to Feature Original Prop “King Kong” Stop-Motion Armature
The next Christie’s “Pop Culture” auction event, scheduled for November 24, 2009 at their South Kensignton location in the UK, will feature one of the original stop-motion armatures from King Kong (1933). This piece is expected to realize a very high price at auction, as it is an extremely important artifact from a truly classic film. [Read more…]