I was fortunate to have had an opportunity in 1995 to see a very special exhibit of original props, costumes, models, and other assets from Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Entitled “The Art of Star Wars”, the pieces were provided by Lucasfilm and the event was hosted by the Center for the Arts in Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco. [Read more…]
G4TV Coverage of Prop Store of London Exhibit at San Diego Comic Con
G4TV has some video coverage of the Prop Store of London exhibit on their website as part of their “Comic Con 09 Floor Tour” from San Diego Comic Con. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic Con 2009: Event Recap, Impressions, Experiences, Perspectives
As with last year’s event, I thought I’d share my own personal impressions and experiences about Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego, to close out my series of articles and features on the event (see San Diego Comic Con 2009). [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: 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…]
Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 35 & 36″ Catalogs Available Online
The Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 35 (Hollywood Wax Museum)” and “Hollywood Auction 36 (The Forry Ackerman Collection, etc.)” catalogs are now available (as a download in PDF) for their next auction, to be held at their offices in Calabassas Hills, CA on April 30th and May 1st, 2009. [Read more…]