Fun Movie Props

Where The Wild Things Are is scheduled to open in theaters around the country this Friday, October 13th and is sure to be a hit. Based on the popular children’s book by Maurice Sendak, the big characters come across as lovable and friendly. The movie features a disobedient child named Max who, after being sent to his room for misbehaving, imagines that he is transported to a forest bordering a sea where he sets sell for the land of the Wild Things. It is in this place that Max is king and mischief reigns.

Popular vinyl collectibles are being molded of the main characters: Max and Alex, K.W., Ira, Douglas, Judith, Bull and Carol.

Each vinyl collectible can be pre-ordered for the price of $39.99 and is estimated to ship soon. These are great collectibles for fans of Where The Wild Things Are!

Watch the trailer:

I recently posted that 20th Century Props, one of the largest prop houses, would be closing its doors. Now they have announced a webcast auction. The webcast auction will take place on July 28th through August 1st starting at 9:30am PDT. Preview dates are scheduled for July 25th and 27th from 9:00am to 4:00pm PDT and on the dates of the sale at 8:00am PDT.

A catalog for each day of the auction is available from the Great American Group where you can also register for the webcast auction and get additional details.

Day one of the auction includes such items as a spaceship used in Men In Black 2, a chair from Malcolm in the Middle, a red lips couch from That 70s Show, Swordfish wall art from General Hospital, plus MUCH, MUCH more!

Over 200,000 sq ft of Movie Props. 93,752 Pieces Will Be Sold to the Highest Bidder. Categories include: Antiques – Appliances – Architecture – Art – Bedroom Furniture – Church & Religion – Christmas & Holidays – Costumes – Crates – Barrels & Trunks – Electronics – Food – Futuristic – Hand Props – Household Items – Industrial – Lighting – Medical – Mannequins – Musical Instruments – Office Furniture – Outdoor Items – Plants – Pipes & Electrical – Phones – Restaurant Equipment & Furniture – Rugs – Sporting Goods – Seating – Signage – Store Displays – Sets – Statues – Street Scenes – Toys – Taxidermy – Tables – Themes – Specialty Items & So Much More! Plus Large Scale Miniatures – Prototypes – Items from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and the Future!

Now you can have a chance to own a piece of Hollywood!

20th Century Props has decided to close its business. After 40 years, the owner states that he can no longer make a profit. According to the Los Angeles Times, the company will hold an auction sometime in late July to sell off the remaining props.

The prop shop, which supplied the chandeliers in the blockbuster “Titanic” and futuristic furniture in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” has been a fixture for two decades. It operates out of a 118,000-square-foot warehouse near Lankershim Boulevard.

20th Century Props also supplied items to the television show Ugly Betty, but that production moved to New York this year.

Due to the recession, fewer feature films are being produced and budgets are tighter. Many businesses are still trying to recover from the writer’s strike last year and a dispute between the actors union and the studios.

The King of Pop passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 5, 2009. He was only 50 years old. Although I was not a big fan of Michael Jackson’s music (I did enjoy some of his stuff), I still believe that he was a very talented man. Unfortunately, his bizarre lifestyle and quirks made him fodder for the entertainment and gossip tabloids.

The next few weeks will see a wide range of Michael Jackson Memorabilia being sold. One of the most popular items, are newspapers from around the world announcing Michael Jackson’s death.

Another popular item is a Michael Jackson handbag. You can get various pictures or album covers.

My favorite is the Thriller Handbag. It is made from the actual Thriller album cover. The album covers are lined with thick poster board and then laminated with thick 5 ml lamination for strength. The bottom is double lined for durability and the sides are sewn vinyl.

Original autographs are also a great collectors item, but may be hard to come by. Make sure that you check for authenticity.

Michael Jackson had millions of fans around the world. Collector’s items are a way that they can still feel connected to this musical genius.

You can find some interesting movie props for sale on eBay. But, if you are looking for Harry Potter originals, you will be sorely disappointed. It seems that it is hard to get your hands on an original Harry Potter movie prop, maybe because the many props won’t be for sale until after all of the films are completed.

If you are looking for movie memorabilia, then eBay is the right place. You can find hundreds of items for any Harry Potter fan. If you are planning on attending a Harry Potter party to celebrate the opening of the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, eBay is the place to find the right accessories!

Star Trek is hot these days. The new movie was fantastic and new fans are discovering the joy of Star Trek. The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has just opened up a new exhibit Star Trek: The Exhibition.

STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION features the world’s most comprehensive collection of authentic Star Trek objects and transports visitors into parallel universes of the future and past. This 12,500 foot exhibition, an amalgamation of all five television and ten film series spanning over 40 years, is the ultimate opportunity to connect with iconic Star Trek moments and characters, while celebrating the creative spirit of science fiction and science that gave rise to many of today’s modern marvels. From the Next Generation Bridge, to the Engine Room, to sitting in Kirk’s original captain’s chair, STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION not only relives the legacy but invites you to be a part of the Enterprise!

The exhibit runs from May 16th to September 20th and is open Monday through Wednesday from 9:30am to 5:00pm; Thursday through Saturday from 9:30am to 8:00pm and Sunday from 9:30am to 7:00pm. Ticket prices for daytime is $23.75 for Adults and $15.50 for Children ages 4-11. The price also includes admission to The Franklin.

The new Star Trek movie has received some great reviews. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to dash off to the movie theaters to see it. I have been watching all the trailers and looking at the movie stills though.

If you are looking for an official Star Trek movie prop, you need to look no further than your local retail outlet. It seems that part of the bridge was made from hand held scanners. The Symbol M2004 from Motorola is a hands free bar code scanner that can switch to hand held mode. Just another example of everyday products being used as movie props!

I recently came across Tektonten Papercraft Blog.  Offered on this blog on more than a dozen papercraft movie props, masks and other items that you can create.  Since my son loves Raiders of the Lost Ark, I thought I would download the free Headpiece to the Staff of Ra from the film.  Here is Indiana Jones using the Staff of Ra in the movie:

After unzipping the file, I was able to open the PDF file, print the page on cardstock and begin to assemble.  The graphics are great and the instructions are very clear.

Other paper projects offered by Tektonten Papercraft include: Spider-Man Mask, Lord of the Rings, Uruk-hai Sword, Darth Maul Pizza Papertoy and the HAL 9000 interface.  These would be great projects for kids!

X-Men Orgins opened on Friday, and all things X-Men will see an increase in sales over the coming weeks.  One eBay, one seller is auctioning off a signed Wolverine claw.  According to the listing:

This claw was made for the first X-Men film.  It is made from a light weight aluminum which has been painted and is 11 inches long with a moleskin hand grip. I am not sure when this Claw was used on screen. I do know, Hugh Jackman used it to promote the film during a publicity tour during which time it was acquired and signed by Hugh. I have spoken with the gentleman in charge of making all Wolverines claws even in the ones for new film.  He confirmed with me it was one of the earliest claws made. The hand grip was changed in all the later versions and resin was used as well.

The item is shadow boxed with a signed mini poster.   A great item for the X-Men enthusiast!

Having a household full of Harry Potter fans, I wish I lived closer to Chicago so that I could attend the Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry.

If you visit the exhibit you will be able to see the Sorting Hat and Platform 9 3/4, and that is just the start of the fun.  You won’t see fully reconstructed sets here, but you will be able to meander through themed displays with actual movie props.  Since I haven’t see the exhibit, I am relying on Cheryl Bowles descriptions of her visit to the Museum.  Some of the things she found most interesting included:

1. Triwizard Tournament gear

2. Wands: Everyone’s wands are here.

3. The Marauder’s Map

4. Voldemort’s robes

5. Hermione’s Time Turner

6. Remus Lupin’s shabby robes

7. Hagrid’s hut

8. Quidditch

And, of course, there is the gift shop!

Where: Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive; 773-684-1414, msichicago.org.

When: 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.; April 30 through Sept. 27

Cost: During regular museum hours (includes general admission): $26 for adults, $25 for seniors and $19 for children 3-11. After regular museum hours and on free days: $18 for adults and seniors and $15 for children.