Movie Props and Firearms Expert (and Martin Scorsese’s Daughter) on What Hollywood Has to Do to Be Safe

Posted on November 5, 2021 at 4:47 pm

The daughter of acclaimed movie director Martin Scorsese has been working with props, including firearms, on movie sets for decades, and her conversation about inadequate safety protections in response to the tragic shooting on the set of “Rust” should be required reading for all Hollywood producers and studio executives.

For years, I’ve been saying there’s got to be a better way to make movies, and everybody’s attitude is, “Well, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but it is broke. It’s very broken, as a matter of fact.

Prop departments are notorious for being the smallest on set and are often asked to cut down on manpower.

Everyone, regardless of department, is overworked. We all work crazy hours for weeks and sometimes months at a time, and it’s hell on our bodies, our minds, our relationships, and our lives.

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Behind the Scenes

Hollywood Treasures Auctioned This Week by Profiles in History

Posted on November 9, 2020 at 1:23 pm

Movie fans will love this catalogue from the latest Profiles in History auction of Hollywood costumes and props. Would you like to have one of the Munchkin costumes from “The Wizard of Oz?” The iconic white Ursula Andress bikini from “Dr. No?” The special Oscar presented to silent movie director Mack Sennett or the prop Oscar “won” by Bette Davis’ character in “The Star?” Costumes worn on screen by Groucho Marx , Errol Flynn, or Humphrey Bogart? Or Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable costumes from “Gone With the Wind?’

There are TV goodies, too, with a Tina Louise (Ginger) costume from “Gilligan’s Island,” a Sally Field habit from “The Flying Nun,” Urkel’s jacket from “Family Matters,” and a Fred Gwynne costume from “The Munsters.” There’s a model of the Ingalls’ home in “Little House on the Prairie” and Mork’s spaceship egg from “Mork and Mindy.”

If you’ve got room in your garage, you can get Luke Perry’s Porsche from “90210” or Boss Hogg’s Caddy from “The Dukes of Hazzard.” And if you’re feeling like a little magic, you can get “I Dream of Jeannie’s” bottle, though there’s no guarantee of any wishes. Same with Thor’s hammer and Wonder Woman’s lasso.

If you are a successful bidder, let me know!

And coming up next, the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer collection!

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Prop Store: Auctioning Props and Costumes from “Robocop,” “Batman,” “Back to the Future,” Pulp Fiction,” and “Star Wars”

Posted on July 26, 2017 at 5:52 pm

I had a blast at Comic-Con talking to Stephen Lane about The Prop Store‘s upcoming auction of movie props and costumes. SDCC attendees loved seeing some of the items coming up for auction, including Samuel L. Jackson’s wallet from “Pulp Fiction” and Matt Damon’s spacesuit from “The Martian.”

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Film History Movie History

Mad Man Props for Sale By Auction

Posted on May 31, 2016 at 2:36 pm

Do you miss “Mad Men?” Would you like to to own Peggy’s typewriter, Megan’s china, Betty’s engagement ring, or Don’s watch? Maybe his office liquor tray? Or a script signed by the cast? Whether you’re looking for some mid-century swank or something from the lives of the engrossing characters in the series, this is your chance. Tomorrow, June 1, 2016, Screenbid is offering props from the “Mad Men” television series at auction. And if you’ve got money and space to spare, you might want to think about the red 1964 Imperial Crown Chrysler convertible, from Season 4, Episode 3, one of only 922 ever built. The New York Times says: “It has power steering, brakes, windows and antenna, plus a 727 TorqueFlite push-button automatic transmission. And, if you’re lucky, a few flicks of cigarette ash from the incorrigible Mr. Draper.”

Right now, it’s a nifty way to reduce production expenses and connect to fans. But if this becomes the prevalent way to dispose of props, with more than $60 thousand for Walter White’s copy of Leaves of Grass in the “Breaking Bad” auction, we might see television series start to look more like infomercials.

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Own a Piece of “Gone With the Wind”

Posted on April 3, 2015 at 8:00 am

Costumes, props, and memorabilia from one of the greatest films of all time will be sold at Heritage Auction’s “Gone With the Wind” sale, April 18-19, 2015.

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