Questions have recently been raised among collectors about attributions made on a Spider-Man costume described as “worn on screen in the 70’s TV Series SPIDER MAN“, which is slated to end at auction on eBay tomorrow morning. Prop dealer Star Wares today added information to the marketing description which, following research, would seem to indicate that the suit was not made for and used in the series, but a promotional suit used for publicity and advertising. [Read more…]
Academy Award winning special effects pioneer John Dykstra was featured in the December 2008 issue of the UK’s SFX magazine. It is a great little interview and covers his many years in the industry, working on films such as Silent Running, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Lifeforce, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Spider-Man, Hancock, and more. [Read more…]
Stand Up To Cancer (see StandUp2Cancer.org) listed on eBay today an auction listing for a set visit, walk on role, and more for the production of the film Spider-Man 4. The 10-day auction is slated to end September 5th. Per IMDb (LINK), the film is anticipated for a release in May of 2011. [Read more…]
There is an interesting article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review by “retired business editor” and columnist Jack Markowitz – “Pop Culture Collectors Really Need to Take Stock” – which essentially denigrates the entire pursuit of collecting and preserving original movie and television props and costumes, as well as those who participate in the hobby. This is my first exposure to this journalist’s work, but his premise seems to be that if something is not a Rembrandt or otherwise predate the invention of automobiles, film, and television, it is of no value – though value and money seem to be the focus of his feature. [Read more…]
The L.A. Times website features a short video featurette and story on the upcoming Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 32” (LINK): [Read more…]
This is a continuation of the first article looking at the “SCREEN-USED ENDOSKELETON HEAD FROM THE 1984 FILM “TERMINATOR” STARRING ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER”. I have compiled high resolution screen captures from The Terminator Blu-Ray Disc. I have also researched the great detail about the development and filming of the Terminator endoskeleton and skull by Stan Winston Studios in the book, “The Winston Effect” (see Book Review: The Winston Effect). These images and information are compared and contrasted with the endo skull offered at auction that is “MADE COMPLETELY OUT OF METAL”. [Read more…]
I’ve received a number of inquires about the authenticity of the metal Endo skull on eBay, so I thought I would post a response here and archive the auction for future reference. I have not researched the piece beyond the auction listing, and from my point of view, it has not been proven authentic nor inauthentic, so I would personally view authenticity as inconclusive. [Read more…]
A trend that comes and goes with the theatrical release of hit films (and sometimes not so “hit” films) and “hot” films (i.e. a small but enthused following) is that of “Hype Premium”. This trend manifests itself in conjunction with the theatrical release of films that include complimentary promotion in the form of prop offerings by the studio or studio affiliate. Well, I just now made up the terminology – “Hype Premium” – but it’s descriptive enough…
This is an oft discussed trend – even in the midst of it actually occurring – but it rarely fails to deliver.
Companies like Hollywood Vault and Premiere Props often schedule auctions by 1) offering props from films at the time of the theatrical release and then, 2) offering additional props later, at the time of the DVD release.
This is done to maximize promotion of the film (in theaters and for home video release) via the sale of props and wardrobe pieces.
So what does this have to do with the “Hype Premium”?
The “Hype Premium” is the difference in price realized for the same or similar items offered at the theatrical release compared with the home video release. [Read more…]