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.

Back to the past with these Universal Studios cinematic treasures...

When most people visit Universal Studios Hollywood it's to ride the attractions and have a fun day out, for me the highlight of the theme park is to see what new delights have materialised in their ever-changing archive exhibit of treasures from the worlds of TV and film.

Latest costumes and props from the archives 

at the NBC Universal Experience exhibit

On my most recent trip to the NBC Universal Experience attraction on January 20, 2015, I was pleased to see many new screen-used costumes and props on display from musicals, comedies, fantasy, sci-fi, period dramas and more genres besides.

One costume which caught my eye again was Marty McFly's atomic Western costume from Back to the Future III, which I'd seen exhibited back in May 2013, but this mannequin seemed to show off the fabulous fringe on the cuffs in greater detail.

Original Marty McFly cowboy costume worn by Michael J. Fox 

in Back to the Future III

If you like this Old West outfit worn by Michael J. Fox when he's stranded in the past, and designed by Joanna Johnston, be sure to also check out more original costumes, props and the DeLorean car from the Back to the Future Trilogy.

Another real highlight of the fresh array of movie memorabilia had to be these costumes from 2003's Love Actually, which is one of my all-time favourite feel-good films and a Christmas viewing essential in our household.

Original costumes from Love Actually on display 

Also designed by Joanna Johnston, this funky suit was worn by Bill Nighy as faded rock star 'Billy Mack' in his Christmas song video accompanied by his video vixens in an homage to Robert Palmer's iconic 80's Addicted to Love music video.

As a complete contrast, beside those costumes is a dress worn by Deanna Durbin as 'Louise Ginglebusher' in 1947's romantic comedy I'll Be Yours, with Costume Design by Travis Banton.

Original costumes from period dramas, musicals, biopics and science fiction films

Be sure to stick around in the days to come for a closer look at all the fantastic costumes and props on display at the L.A. theme park on this visit, including:

Film costume worn by Bruce Willis and props from 12 Monkeys
Tom Hanks tuxedo and props from Charlie Wilson's War
Original Love Actually film costumes
Nathan Lane's movie costume and props from The Producers
TV costume and props from Warehouse 13
Jeremy Renner's costume from Kill the Messenger
Mia Wasikowska's period costume from Jane Eyre
Day of the Dead masks and dress worn by Salma Hayek in Savages
Emma Thompson's costume from Nanny McPhee Returns
Luke Evans Vlad the Impaler costume from Dracula Untold
Motorcycles featured in Inglorious Basterds and The Mummy Returns

And do yourself a favour, if you ever visit Universal Studios Hollywood, don't forget to check out this special exhibition space in the Lower Lot, as you may see a piece of history from a movie or TV show you love, or an outfit worn by your favourite film star.

Marty McFly Western costume and film props from the Back to the Future movies on display...

Ever since the restored original DeLorean time-machine car from Back to the Future went on display at Universal Studios Hollywood last year, there's been a constant supply of different original costumes and props from the science-fiction trilogy on display to accompany the iconic 'hero car' each time I've been back to visit.

Original costume and props from the Back to the Future Trilogy

On this occasion this cowboy poncho worn by Michael J. Fox in the film, by Costume Designer Joanna Johnston, was on display beside authentic screen-used props from Back to the Future II on April 15, 2014.

Old West poncho worn by Michael J. Fox as 

Marty McFly in Back to the Future III

In 1990's Back to the Future III 'Marty McFly' travels back in time to the Old West and meets his great-great grandparents 'Seamus' and 'Maggie', and as he can't tell them his real name, he calls himself 'Clint Eastwood', hence the poncho look.

If you like this outfit, be sure to also take a look at Marty McFly's atomic cowboy costume from the third installment in this time-traveling trilogy, plus check out Mary SteenBurgen's Clara Clayton gowns from Back to the Future III too.

Back to the Future II trashcan movie prop

It may be nostalgic to see these props on display, but it's almost laughable to see what the filmmakers envisioned the future would look like, flying high-tech trashcans, hooverboards and even Mr. Fusion home energy reactors that could turn garbage into clean energy.

Although the scary thing to think about is, in the future there won't be as many of these kinds of props anymore to exhibit, as they'll all be created by CGI special effects.

Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor film prop 
from Back to the Future II

In 1989's sequel Marty McFly travels with 'Doc Brown' from 1985 to the year 2015 to help save his son, so there's not much time for these inventions to become part of everyday life.

Back to the Future III Old West gown worn by Mary Steenburgen on display...

On my most recent visit to Universal Studios Hollywood's archive exhibit, not only did they have the DeLorean time machine on show, but they also had another of Mary Steenburgen's Old West gowns on display from Back to the Future III.

Western festival dance gown worn by Mary Steenburgen 

as Clara Clayton in Back to the Future III

In the third installment 'Marty McFly' travels back to 1885 to help save his scientist friend 'Doc Emmett Brown', who has fallen for Mary Steenburgen's Jules Verne-loving schoolteacher, 'Clara Clayton'.

This festival dance costume was designed by Joanna Johnston and photographed on display on January 23, 2014, and if you like this period look, be sure to also check out this colourful train rescue gown worn by Mary Steenburgen in Back to the Future III.

Back to the Future III movie poster

If you're a fan of the time-travelling trilogy, be sure to also check out this cowboy costume worn by Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, plus the original DeLorean time machine car from Back to the Future on display at Universal Studio Hollywood's NBC Universal Experience attraction.

Mary Steenburgen's Western gown from Back to the Future Part III...

In the third installment of the Back to the Future time-travel adventure trilogy, Michael J. Fox's 'Marty McFly' ventures into the Old West to rescue his mad professor friend, 'Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown' who is trapped in 1885 and working as a local blacksmith.

Original Western gown worn by Mary Steenburgen 

as Clara Clayton in Back to the Future Part III

This vibrant purple Western gown worn by Mary Steenburgen in the movie as Hill Valley school teacher 'Clara Clayton' was photographed on display, alongside some original props from the movie trilogy, at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 30, 2013.

Clara falls in love with 'Doc' when when he and Marty rescue her from an out-of-control horse-drawn wagon and stops her falling into a ravine.

Back to the Future Part III movie poster

The actress wears this colourful costume designed by Joanna Johnston when she's hanging from a locomotive train towards the end of the movie, when she's once again saved by Doc, this time on a futuristic hoverboard.

Clara Clayton Western train dress detail

If you like this Old West dress, be sure to also check Helena Bonham Carter's gown from Disney's The Lone Ranger movie remake.

Plus if you're a fan of the Back to the Future movies, take a look at Marty McFly's atomic cowboy costume from Part III.

Stick around in the days to come for even more classic costumes, props and models on display at the NBC Universal Experience exhibit.