10 screen-worn masks from the movies and TV on display...

With lots of free time on my hands with no movies to watch at the cinema and not madly rushing around store to find Christmas presents this year, I've been scouring my photo archives to see what delights I could unearth from years gone by to entertain myself. With masks in the news so much in the last ten months of the pandemic, enjoy this collection of ten screen-worn masks from the big and small screen on display at cinemas, theme parks and museums in years past.

Minotaur mask from Immortals

First up is this amazing barbed wire bull mask mask from the 2011 fantasy film, Immortals, which saw Henry Cavill's mortal champion 'Thesesus' chosen by the Greek Gods to battle Mickey Rourke's 'King Hyperion' and his 'Minotaur' henchman (played by Robert Maillet).

Eiko Ishioka was Costume Designer on the Immortals and this fierce mask was photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in October 2017.

Lion mask from The Masked Singer

From bulls to lions, and this golden mask was worn by Rumer Willis in the first season of the U.S. version of The Masked Singer.

Marina Toybina was the Emmy-nominated Costume Designer on the costumed celebrity singing competition and this creation was photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in August 2019.

Blue Spirit mask from The Last Airbender

Back in 2010, M. Night Shyamalan tried to bring a live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender to the big screen. Noah Ringer was cast as the elemental master 'Aang' and Dev Patel played 'Prince Zuko' of the Fire Nation (and wore this 'Blue Spirit' mask) trying to enslave the Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom.

Judianna Makovsky was Costume Designer on this film adapted from the first season of Nickelodeon's animated series and this mask was captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood alongside other costumes and props from The Last Airbender in July 2010.

Erik Killmonger tribal mask from Black Panther

In 2018's cultural phenomenon, Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan's villainous 'Erik Killmonger' steals this African tribal mask during a heist on a London museum.

Ruth E. Carter was the Oscar-winning Costume Designer on the Marvel Studios superhero film shining a spotlight on Chadwick Boseman's king of Wakanda, and this outfit and more Black Panther movie costumes were photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in February 2018.

Dark Elf mask from Thor: The Dark World

Keeping to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this Dark Elf mask and dagger were featured in 2013's Thor: The Dark World, in which Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder faced off against Christopher Eccleston's Dark Elf, 'Malekith', ruler of Svartalfheim.

Wendy Partridge was Costume Designer on Thor's movie sequel in which the Dark Elves wore these sinister masks. This example was photographed on display at Marvel's Treasures of Asgard temporary exhibit at Disneyland in November 2013.

Catwoman mask from The Dark Knight Rises

It's no surprise that masks feature heavily in comic book adaptations and in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, Anne Hathaway sported this high-tech mask as the cat burglar, 'Catwoman'.

Lindy Hemming was Costume Designer on all three installments of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy and this mask and accompanying cat-suit was snapped exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood in July 2012.

Bane mask from Batman & Robin

Keeping to Batman foes, and 1997's Batman & Robin featured a very different 'Bane' to Tom Hardy's incarnation featured in The Dark Knight Rises.

Pro-wrestler Jeep Swenson played the henchman of Uma Thurman's 'Poison Ivy' in Joel Schumacher's movie sequel and wore this more comic book-inspired mask, which was on display at Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour Museum in July 2014.

Deadshot mask from Suicide Squad

A few years later and Will Smith's 'Deadshot' mask with monocle was on display at the same museum location from the 2016 movie, Suicide Squad.

Kate Hawley was Costume Designer on the DC Comics movie about a group of assassins, mercenaries and supervillains working for a shadowy government agency in exchange for a reduction in their prison sentences.

Enik the Altrusian mask from Land of the Lost

In 2009 Will Ferrell starred in a big screen remake of Sid and Marty Krofft's 1974 television series, Land of the Lost.

This prosthetic head from the movie was worn by John Boylan as 'Erik the Altrusian', leader of the 'Sleestak' lizard humanoids and photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in April 2011.

Venetian masquerade masks from Eyes Wide Shut

And finally for this assortment of screen-worn masks, this quintet of Venetian masquerade ball masks were featured in 1999's erotic psychological mystery drama from director Stanley Kubrik, Eyes Wide Shut.

Marit Allen was Costume Designer on this film starring Nicole Kidman (who wears the feathered mask) and Tom Cruise, and these masks were photographed at Stanley Kubrick's exhibit at L.A.'s County Museum of Art in January 2013.

I hope you've enjoyed these cinematic and TV treasures. Stay safe this festive season and make sure you wear an appropriate mask to protect yourself and others.

Cool treasures going under the hammer at Prop Store's Rick Baker live auction...

This Friday May 29, 2015, our friends at Prop Store will be hosting a live auction featuring the works of the legendary makeup effects artist Rick Baker. Nominated for an outstanding twelve Oscars, he's taken home seven Academy Awards for work on films ranging from 2010's The Wolfman, 2000's How The Grinch Stole Christmas, 1997's Men in Black, 1996's The Nutty Professor, 1994's Ed Wood, 1987's Harry and the Hendersons and 1981's iconic An American Werewolf in London.

Mikey alien costume from Men in Black

Now preparing to retire from the film biz, he's auctioning off amazing items from his career-spanning creature collection. Here's a selection of the amazing prop masks, puppets and costumes that caught my eye that are up for grabs.

Included in the auction which takes place at 11am Pacific Standard Time on Friday is this 'Mikey' costume from Barry Sonnenfeld's Men in Black. This original on-the-run reptilian alien, who was voiced by John Alexander, is expected to sell for $20,000-$30,000.

Hammerhead alien from Men in Black II

Another alien piece I love is this 'Hammerhead' alien from the 2002 sequel which is expected to fetch $6,000-$8,000.

Personally I love that these full-size creature props exist, as I think modern cinema relies too heavily on CGI effects.

Frozen Frosty thug statue from Batman & Robin 

Another prop which made me chuckle was this frozen 'Frosty' statue from 1997's Batman & Robin. In the movie sequel from Joel Schumacher, this full-size henchman character, played by Joe Sabatino, was frozen in place by Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Mr. Freeze' villain.

If you like this prop, which could be yours for $2,000-$3,000, be sure to check out more original film costumes and props from Batman & Robin on display here at Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props.

Mechanical Bat Gremlin and Daffy Gremlin puppets from Gremlins 2

Next up are two fantastic puppets from a comedy horror franchise I love and the 1990 sequel, Gremlins: The New Batch.

This follow-up entry by Joe Dante was much more of a parody than the original and I personally loved when the 'Bat Gremlin' bursts through the window to make the Batman sign (because everyone was still in awe of Tim Burton's 1989 movie and Batman logos were everywhere from t-shirts to fridge magnets).

Being auctioned as different lots, this mechanical bat Gremlin is expected to go for $6,000-$8,000, whilst the 'Daffy' marionette Gremlin puppet will set you back $4,000-$6,000.

Harry and the Hendersons head, hands, feet and muscle suit

In 1987's family comedy Harry and the Hendersons, the infamous 'Bigfoot' befriends a family after they knock him down with their car returning from a vacation. This hairy creature costume won Rick Baker an Academy Award and now you can own a piece of history for as little as $6,000-$8,000.

The Grinch Santa costume worn by Jim Carrey

People are forever asking if the costumes and props I feature on this blog are for sale, and sadly I say that I only feature exhibits that I come across on my travels.

One of the most frequent requests, especially around the Holidays, is for The Grinch's Santa suit worn by Jim Carrey, so now yes, you can actually own an original costume from Ron Howard's 2000 Oscar-winning live-action movie. This ensemble is expected to sell for anything from $6,000-$8,000, so maybe it's time to write that letter to Father Christmas now.

In addition to these top picks, the auction will also have an eclectic mix of authentic items from films like 1984's Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes, 1988's Gorillas in the Mist, Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller music video and Moonwalker fantasy movie, 1995's Batman Forever, 2003's The Haunted Mansion, Tim Burton's 2001 Planet of the Apes, 2004's Hellboy and more besides.

Be sure to check out the PropStore website for full details of this exciting event and how to own a true collectible from one of your favourite films.

Alicia Silverstone's Batgirl movie costume and more from Batman & Robin on display...

Aside from the dumbed-down plot and high-camp performances, one of the many problems with the fourth entry in the Batman franchise was the inclusion of too many characters, as not only did 1997's Batman & Robin feature three supervillains ('Mr. Freeze', 'Poison Ivy' and 'Bane'), but it also introduced a third hero into the mix in the form of 'Batgirl', played by Clueless star Alicia Silverstone.

Original movie costumes from 1997's Batman & Robin

In addition to Uma Thurman's Poison Ivy movie costume and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze cyro-suit costume, the 75th Anniversary Batman Exhibit at the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour Museum on July 29, 2014 also featured the superhero costumes worn by Alicia Silverstone, Chris O'Donnell and George Clooney (as the latest actor to play Batman).

Not only does the exhibition have fantastic costumes and props from all seven Batman movies, but many of the display mannequins even feature waxwork likenesses of the actors, complete with hair and special effects makeup, especially important in the case of villains like The Joker, The Penguin and Two-Face, which really help to complete their on-screen looks.

Batman & Robin movie poster

Ingrid Ferrin and Robert Turturice were Costume Designers on Joel Schumacher's second Batman movie which introduced Batgirl as the newest addition to the caped and cowled family, as the infamous Dynamic Duo became the Talented Trio, Tremendous Trio, Terrible Trio?!? You decide.

Original Batgirl costume worn by Alicia Silverstone 

in 1997's Batman & Robin

In the movie the actress played 'Barbara Wilson', the niece of Bruce Wayne's butler, 'Alfred Pennyworth'. Attending an English boarding school after the death of her parents in a car accident, she chooses to visit her uncle when she discovers he has a rare, life-threatening disease.

She wears this Bat-suit, designed for her by Alfred, and defeats Poison Ivy to save Batman and Robin. All three join together to help prevent Mr. Freeze's new ice-age and in the process discover a cure for Alfred's illness. Although, it must be hard fighting crime (and running) in those high heels.

Original Batman and Robin movie costumes 

worn by George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell

In this fourth installment Chris O'Donnell reprised his role as 'Dick Grayson', aka Batman's sidekick 'Robin', although this time his costume bears more of a resemblance to his Nightwing alter-ego from his DC Comics adventures.

If you're a fan of the actor and the character, be sure to check out his red-breasted Robin costume from Batman Returns on display too.

Meanwhile George Clooney became the third actor to play the Caped Crusader after Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer in the first three movies, and sported this all-black Bat-suit in this film sequel.

Batman & Robin movie poster

Every Bat-Hero's utility belt needs a selection of Bat-themed tools and the exhibit for this movie also had a cool selection of screen-used props to peruse.

Screen-used Batman & Robin movie models and props

There was a Batmobile model hanging on the wall, plus props used by Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze in the film, plus various tools, Bat-Cuffs and throwing weapons used by our heroes in their efforts to defeat their enemies and save Gotham City.

Batman & Robin may not have been the best movie to watch (and almost killed off the Batman film franchise), but seeing all these authentic costumes and props up close and mostly out of display cases was a real delight.

Stay tuned in the days to come for more amazing costumes and props from Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.

Uma Thurman's Poison Ivy costume from Batman & Robin on display...

Following Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman, plus Batman's male arch-foes The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman was only the second woman to play one of the Caped Crusader's female enemies in 1997's Batman & Robin.

Original Poison Ivy costume worn by 

Uma Thurman in 1997's Batman & Robin

This fantastical flora-inspired costume was photographed alongside many other costumes and props from the overly camp Joel Schumacher movie at the 75th Anniversary Batman Exhibit at the Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour Museum on July 29, 2014.

Batman & Robin movie poster

In Batman & Robin, the Kill Bill actress played a nerdy botanical scientist named 'Dr. Pamela Isley' working at a South American lab funded by Wayne Enterprises. Experimenting with rattlesnake venom and other deadly fluids to help plants fight back against mankind's aggression against nature, the scientist is almost murdered by her boss, 'Dr. Jason Woodrue', but is instead transformed into the deadly 'Poison Ivy' via a volatile combination of plant toxins, venoms and poisons.

The slightly unhinged villainess travels to Gotham City to continue her warped fight for Mother Nature and forms an alliance with 'Mr. Freeze' (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to take on the Dynamic Duo.

Poison Ivy movie costume in more detail

Ingrid Ferrin and Robert Turturice was responsible for creating this emerald green leaf creation, which regardless of the poor reception of the movie, has been recreated at conventions and Halloweens many times by fans and cosplayers alike. And hopefully if you are trying to make your own Poison Ivy outfit, then these detail photos will help you.

Animal plant hybrid prop from Batman & Robin

Just from the look of this genetic animal/plant hybrid created by Poison Ivy, you can tell the movie didn't take itself too seriously, as it's almost like a mini 'Audrey II' alien plant from 1986's Little Shop of Horrors.

Bane mask from 1997's Batman & Robin

We may all now be more familiar with The Dark Knight Rises 'Bane' played by Tom Hardy, but in the 1997 movie the hulking Bane was played by pro-wrestler, Jeep Swenson. In the film Bane became Poison Ivy's thug henchman after being created via an injection of an experimental drug called Venom by Dr. Jason Woodrue.

If you like this mask, be sure to also compare it to Tom Hardy's Bane costume from The Dark Knight Rises on display.

If you like these looks, stick around for more original Batman & Robin costumes, including Alicia Silverstone's Batgirl costume.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze sub-zero armour from Batman & Robin on display...

1997's Batman & Robin killed the film franchise for several years, mainly caused by Joel Schumacher's camp-factor going into overdrive, the inclusion of too many villains and heroes (a problem rife in the comic book movie genre), plus yet another newcomer playing the Caped Crusader, in the form of George Clooney. But of all the costumes and props on display at the Batman 75th Anniversary Exhibit at Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour Museum on July 29, 2014, the fantastical creations from this fourth movie installment were still by far my favourites.

Original sub-zero suit of armour worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger 

as Mr. Freeze in 1997's Batman & Robin

The costume that really captivated my attention though was this illuminated massive suit of armour worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger as 'Mr. Freeze' in the movie, now this is one original film costume I would love to wear for Halloween or at a convention.

Batman & Robin movie poster

Ingrid Ferrin and Robert Turturice were Costume Designers on this movie sequel and apparently it took Arnold Schwarzengger around six hours each day to get into his makeup and wardrobe for the role. Let's face it, when you're being payed $25 million to star in a movie, you have to put up with a little discomfort.

Mr. Freeze sub-zero movie costume detail

In this movie version 'Victor Fries' aka 'Mr. Freeze' is a Nobel-winning molecular biologist who has turned to a life of crime, armed with his freezing gun, in order to cure his wife 'Nora' of her terminal illness.

Even though the super villain looked incredible in his cryo-suit and is supposed to be a brilliant scientist, it doesn't stop him from spouting ridiculous corny one-liners during the entire movie, like "All right everyone, chill" and "You're not sending me to the cooler".

If you're a fan of the action hero and former Governor of California, be sure to also check out this life-size Arnold Schwarzenegger cyborg from Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

Stay tuned for more awesome movie costumes from 1997's Batman & Robin in the days to come.

Batman & Robin movie poster