Props used in movies and theme parks have become a hot commodity for both collectors and retailers. Auction houses all over the U.S. are venturing into the entertainment world and finding an endless stream of customers.
In my own humble collection I have several pieces used in movies and theme parks, most notably the movie “The Absent Minded Professor” from 1961. In the early 90’s I was on the backlot at the Disney Studio the day the old street set was being torn down to make way for a new soundstage. I asked “hey, can I have that?”. “Sure”, I was told. “It’s all going to the landfill anyway”. If only I owned my truck back then, I would have grabbed a lot more of that set.
Others take this obsession to extremes like veteran collector Richard Kraft. He has thousands of objects and recently made a documentary based on his ongoing quest.
Mostly Disney stuff, but a lot of American pop culture items as well.
Other items find their way into retail spaces and restaurant environments like Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock. The original Star Ship Enterprise is the centerpiece of the retail store at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C.
There are several T.V. shows themed around this subject. The best one is Hollywood Treasure on the Syfy Channel.
A 2.9 million dollar Godfather prop can be found here. http://www.moviepropcollectors.com/magazine/2011/01/23/paramount-pictures-the-godfather-house-still-available-for-sale/
So keep a look out at those garage sales, you never know what you’ll find.
