Fun Movie Props

The ring that Bela Lugosi wore in the movie Dracula went up for auction today as part of the Forry Ackerman Estate.  Forest J Ackerman was known his Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine and he even supported Ray Bradbury’s early writing career.  He was also a collector of movie and theatrical props and memorabilia.   Ackerman passed away last fall at the age of 92 and now his collection is up for auction.

The auction items include pictures, scripts, lobby cards and letters. Two Katherine Hepburn sigend photos and letter is estimate to go for $600 to $800 and Handcuffs worn by Harry Houdini should fetch between $3,000 and $5,000.  The Bela Lugosi ring will probably sell for over $30,000!

Dracula Ring - Bela Lugosi

You can download the Catalog and browse all the of the items.  The auction will also take place, May 1st at 11:00am PT.

Robert DeNiro

If you want to see a vast collection of movie memorabilia, a display of Robert DeNiro’s film career is  on display at the University of Texas in Austin.  The memorabilia was donated by DeNiro to the Harry Ransom Center Library and Museum in 2006 and documents DeNiro’s movie career from 1968 through 2005.  Included in the display are scripts, photographs, movie props, costumes and other documents.

There are approximately 8,500 items in the collection and even include the boxing robe that DeNiro wore in Raging Bull.  It took University curators over two years to organize and catalog all of the items.  The estimated worth of the display is $5 million.

If DeNiro is not your favorite actor, you can also see other collections at the Ransom Center from producer David O. Selznick, screenwriter Ernest Lehman and acress Gloria Swanson.

Other substantial film collections at the Ransom Center include those of producer David O. Selznick, screenwriter Ernest Lehman and actress Gloria Swanson.