10 picture cars from the big screen on display...

With museums, cinemas, exhibitions and conventions shut down for the past eight months and likely for the foreseeable future, I thought it would be fun to revisit some of my previous finds from the big and small screen. Today I thought we could enjoy ten famous picture cars from the movie world of road trips, musicals, sci-fi, crime, comedy, action and super-heroics.

Grease Lightning 1946 Ford custom convertible from Grease

First up is the fantasy Grease Lightning from one of my all-time favourite musicals, 1978's Grease big screen adaptation. This cool car featured in the romantic comedy-musical's Greased Lightning dream sequence and at the end when Olivia Newton-John's 'Sandy' and John Travolta's 'Danny' miraculously fly off into the sky.

I snapped this fabulous auto on display at Hollywood's Madame Tussauds on loan from L.A.'s Petersen Automotive Museum in December 2012.

Optimus Prime Peterbilt Model-375 truck

from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Next up is the leader of the Autobots, 'Optimus Prime', in truck mode from the 2009 live-action sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

This big rig truck and other vehicles from the movie were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema and beside the Cinerama Dome in June 2009, plus Optimus Prime and Bumblebee could also be spotted in a similar location in June 2011 for Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

1970 Ford Escort RS1600 from Fast & Furious 6

Back in May 2013, Universal Studios Hollywood theme park had the cars from Fast & Furious 6 on display, including this blue and white beauty driven by Paul Walker in the high-octane movie sequel.

Fans of the film franchise can also enjoy these other cars, costumes and props from the Fast & Furious movies.

Interpol Le Maximum car from Muppets Most Wanted

Next up is this fun little car prop from 2014's Muppets Most Wanted movie, driven by Ty Burrell's French Interpol agent 'Jean Pierre Napoleon'.

Make sure you check out more screen-used costumes and props from Muppets Most Wanted on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre around the film's U.S. release.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS from Jack Reacher

In December 2012 Tom Cruise starred as the titular 'Jack Reacher' in the movie adaptation of Lee Child's literary character.

He drove this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS car in the film and it was photographed on display outside ArcLight Hollywood cinema that Christmas.

1963 VW Beetle from Herbie: Fully Loaded

In 2005 Lindsay Lohan starred in the movie Herbie: Fully Loaded, in which the Volkswagen Beetle with a  personality of its own headed to NASCAR with the actress for all-new adventures.

This 1963 VW Beetle was photographed alongside another 'Herbie' race car from 1997's made-for-TV movie, The Love Bug, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in July 2009.

1949 Jaguar from Gangster Squad

2013's period crime drama, Gangster Squad, was set in L.A. during the 1940s when mob boss Mickey Cohen caused all kinds of trouble.

This sexy 1949 Jaguar driven by Emma Stone in the film was photographed at an exhibit to promoted the movie's theatrical release at the Petersen Automotive Museum in January 2013, and if you like this sleek motor be sure to check out more cars, costumes and props from Gangster Squad on display.

DeLorean time machine from the Back to the Future Trilogy

One of the most iconic cars from the world of cinema is undoubtedly the souped-up DeLorean from the Back to the Future movies, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

This restored 'hero car' from the trilogy which spanned theatrical releases from 1985 to 1990 was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood's Lower Lot in May 2013.

1966 Ford Thunderbird from Thelma & Louise

Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon made cinema history in the 1991 female buddy road trip to end all road trip movies, Thelma & Louise, when they cruised on their misadventures in this Thunderbird convertible.

This iconic movie car was spotted at the Petersen Automotive Museum in December 2012.

Stark Formula 1 race car from Iron Man 2

And finally for this collection of movie memorabilia, this Stark F1 race car was featured in Marvel Studios Iron Man 2 racing through the streets at the Circuit de Monaco in France, where Robert Downey Jr.'s genius inventor playboy 'Tony Stark' was attacked by supervillain 'Whiplash'.

This sporty race car was part of the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibition at The Reagan Library in August 2012.

I hope car enthusiasts and movie aficionados alike have enjoyed this eclectic collection of picture cars. Stay tuned in the future for another look at more cool screen-used costumes and props that I've spied on my travels over the years.

Cool picks from Prop Store's December 2020 Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction London...

Visitors to my blog, old or new, will surely get the impression that I have an appreciation for the craftsmanship, ingenuity, expertise and creativity that goes into the costumes, props and sets featured here. I like to celebrate the costume designers, seamstresses, tailors, artisans and production designers that help magic the magic come to life on the big and small screen. Another company that appreciates the artistry of the entertainment industry is Prop Store, and they are holding their seventh Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in London on December 1 and 2, 2020, with over 900 rare and iconic lots from cinema and television for you to bid on. I've perused the latest Prop Store auction catalogue and these are some of my top picks that you may like to add to your collection of screen-used treasures from sci-fi to romantic comedy, supernatural fantasy to fairytales.

Headless Horseman costume worn by Christopher Walken

in Sleepy Hollow

First up is this exquisite 'Headless Horseman' costume from 1999's Tim Burton fantasy horror, Sleepy Hollow film.

Colleen Atwood was Oscar nominated for her designs on this movie and you can really see why with this ornate outfit, from the floor-length cape, to the double-headed dragon motif on the chest to the thigh-high boots, large patterned belt buckle and demonic-looking boot spurs.

This costume is truly haunting and is estimated to sell for between £30,000 to £50,000 when auctioned.

Book of the Dead prop from The Mummy

Keeping to the supernatural theme and another movie from 1999, this Book of the Dead hero prop was used in Stephen Sommers' action-adventure, The Mummy. This Egyptian artifact was accidentally used to raise the ancient priest 'Imhotep' from the grave.

I've actually seen this Book of the Dead prop from the treasure hunting movie on display at Universal Studios Hollywood back in 2009, alongside other costumes and props from the film.

This impressive book prop features ornate vulture-like clasps, twelve tablet pages covered in hieroglyphics and scarab beetle key lock design is expected to reach an estimated £20,000 to £30,000.

Peter Banning's Pan costume worn by Robin Williams

in Hook

The next costume comes from Steven Spielberg's 1991 fantasy adventure Hook, in which Robin Williams played a grown up 'Peter Pan' named 'Peter Banning' who had forgotten his magical youthful spirit.

There's something nostalgic and simple about this leafy costume design by Anthony Powell, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on this fairytale movie.

This suede costume is a must-have for fans of the beloved comic actor and is expected to sell for £10,000 to £15,000.

Fans of the movie can also check out this cool Bowling Ball Kid prop from Hook that I once saw on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas.

R5 Droid from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The next amazing prop comes from a galaxy far, far away from the recent Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker installment, and it's a remote-controlled, light-up R5 Droid.

Alongside a working Dalek from Doctor Who, this would be a wish list Christmas present considering I was huge Star Wars fan growing up in the 1970s and 80s and I always loved all the other background Driods featured in the cinematic universe.

This working orange, white and blue R5 astromech Droid from the 2019 movie could be yours for £20,000 to £30,000.

Juliet's wedding dress worn by Keira Knightley

in Love Actually

At this time of year my mind always turns to the films I'll rewatch over the holiday season, and Richard Curtis' 2003 romantic comedy, feel-good festive movie, Love Actually, is always top of that must-see list. That's why this wedding dress outfit worn by Keira Knightley as 'Juliet' stood out in the auction catalogue.

Joanna Johnston was Costume Designer on this film and this organza and lace outfit was custom-made for the production, including a feather headdress.

This piece of cinema history could be yours for £3,000 to £5,000, and you can see more Love Actually movie costumes when they were on display at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Times are tough for many at the moment, but these items are one-of-a-kind treasures and I know how passionate collectors can be about their favourite movies and TV shows.

2020 has been a miserable year, so if you wanted to splurge on something fun that has special meaning to you and would make you happy, why not.

More costume delights from Disney's D23 Expo 2019 on display...

Disney's 2019 D23 Expo may seem like a distant memory now, but with the pandemic still raging it's been nice to reminisce about the costumes and props that were on display at the biennial fan convention. Here's five more film and stage costumes that were photographed as part of the Walt Disney Archives Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume exhibition on August 23, 2019, in Anaheim, California.

Letha Wedge costume worn by Bette Davis

in Return from Witch Mountain

First up is a costume from one of my childhood favourite films, Return from Witch Mountain, which saw the psychically-powered alien twins, 'Tony' (Ike Esienmann) and 'Tia Malone' (Kim Richards) face off against the schemes of Christopher Lee's 'Dr. Victor Gannon' and Bette Davis 'Letha Wedge'.

Bill Thomas was the Costume Designer on the Disney movie sequel, which was a follow-up to 1975 Escape to Witch Mountain based on Alexander H. Key's 1968 sci-fi novel.

Return from Witch Mountain movie poster

Fans of iconic Bette Davis can also enjoy these Emmy-nominated costumes from Feud: Bette and Joan on display.

Dr. Hans Reinhart costume worn by Maximillian Schell

in The Black Hole

Another sci-fi favourite from my youth was the futuristic film, The Black Hole, from 1979. In the movie Maximillian Schell played the deranged and brilliant scientist 'Dr. Hans Reinhardt' aboard the long thought lost USS Cygnus spacecraft.

The Black Hole movie poster

Chuck Keehne and Bill Thomas were responsible for Costume Design on the outer space movie directed by Gary Nelson.

Dorothy Gale costume worn by Fairuza Balk

in Return to Oz

The expo also had Fairuza Balk's 'Dorothy Gale' costume from 1985's Return to Oz fantasy film on display.

Based on L. Frank Baum's Oz novels, this sequel saw the 10-year-old actress discover fantastical new friend and enemies in this outfit designed by Raymond Hughes.

Return to Oz movie poster

Fans of this movie sequel can also enjoy these other screen-used costumes and props from Return to Oz on display.

Ben Gates costume worn by Nicolas Cage

in National Treasure

In 2004's National Treasure, Nicolas Cage played treasure hunter 'Benjamin Franklin Gates' and Judianna Makovsky was Costume Designer on the historical mystery adventure movie.

You can also take another look at this costume and props from National Treasure at previous Disney exhibits.

National Treasure movie poster

Plus this particular D23 Expo also showcased Nicolas Cage's Balthazar Blake costume from The Sorcerer's Apprentice on display.

Elsa stage costume from Broadway's Frozen musical

Christopher Oram was Costume Designer for Frozen: The Broadway Musical, based on Disney's animated 2013 box office smash, and actresses like Caissie Levy, Ciara Renée and Caroline Bowman have donned the princess of Arendelle's dress to tread the boards on Broadway and on tour.

And sadly that's the final installment of the costumes and props I saw in person at last year's D23 Expo.

Make sure you also check out all the other costumes and props at the Walt Disney Archives Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume exhibition, plus enjoy a look at these Hulu show costumes and props, Marvel Studios costumes and Star Wars universe costumes that were on display for attendees to see.

Here's hoping we'll be able to attend conventions, exhibitions, museums and cinemas again in the near future when this pandemic is under control.

Frozen musical billboard