5 miniature models from the movies on display...

Today we continue to explore the magic of movie making with these five miniature production models used to bring the worlds of comedy, fantasy, action and horror to life on the big screen.

The Grand Budapest Hotel miniature production model

First up is this spectacular production model of The Grand Budapest Hotel used in Wes Anderson's 2014 comedy about an aging high-class hotel and the working relationship between the concierge and the lobby boy.

The movie was nominated for nine Oscars and took home four, including for Production Design for Adam Stockhausen (with Anna Pinnock for Set Decoration) and Best Costume Design for Milena Canonero.

This screen-used model was photographed on display at the sadly now defunct ArcLight Hollywood cinema in March 2014, so make sure you take a closer look at this miniature model and costumes from The Grand Budapest Hotel on display.

S.S. Venture tramp steamer and Skull Island miniature

from King Kong

Next up is miniature S.S. Venture boat model from 2005's King Kong movie remake directed by Peter Jackson. This tramp steamer sailed to Skull Island, the home of the legendary giant ape.

This model was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on the theme park tour in April 2009.

Mansion miniature model from Downsizing

This next mansion miniature model is from Alexander Payne's 2017 comedy Downsizing. To deal with overpopulation, scientist have started to shrink people down to four inches tall and Matt Damon finds himself starting his life anew in a downsized community.

Be sure to take a closer look at this miniature model from Downsizing that was on display in ArcLight Hollywood's foyer in December 2017.

Miniature WW11 Belgian village

from Welcome to Marwen

The next miniatures are of a slightly different kind. In 2018's Welcome to Marwen based a true story, Steve Carell plays the victim of a vicious hate crime who builds a miniature Belgian World War II town to aid his recovery and help him remember, filling it with G.I. Joes and Barbie dolls which he photographs for therapy.

Be sure to take a closer look at these miniature Marwen buildings that were on display at ArcLight Hollywood in December 2018.

Castle miniature from Bram Stoker's Dracula

And the final dramatic example is from Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 gothic horror movie, Bram Stoker's Dracula.

This miniature castle and home of the vampire lord was created for the film by Matte World.

Take a closer look at this production model and Gary Oldman's bat-form prosthetic makeup from Bram Stoker's Dracula that were photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.

With people getting vaccinated and things slowly starting to get back to normal, I can't wait to see what screen-used costumes and props I can discover in the future on display at movie theatres, theme parks and museums.

Horror props and memorabilia at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas...

The other day I showcased props from sci-fi and fantasy movie props on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas, today it's the turn of props from cult and iconic horror movie favourites.

Skeleton Guard prop from Wishmaster on display

First up is this imposing Skeleton Guard prop used in Wes Craven's 1997 fantasy horror featuring a demonic wish granting djinn.

Wishmaster movie poster

In Stanley Kubrick's iconic 1980 horror movie, The Shining, Shelley Duvall as 'Wendy Torrance' uses this kitchen knife to defend herself from her insane husband, famously played by Jack Nicholson.

Actual knife prop used in The Shining

The Shining movie poster

Next up, I'm not sure I'd want to be sitting too close to this realistic King Cobra model from 1990's horror sequel, The Exorcist III, whilst eating at the Planet Hollywood Cafe, but it is a cool prop to have on display.

King Cobra snake prop from The Exorcist III

The Exorcist III movie poster

In 1991's movie adaptation of the Thomas Harris bestseller, The Silence of the Lambs, Ted Levin used this Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver as psychopathic serial killer and kidnapper, Jame 'Buffalo Bill' Gumb.

Gun prop from The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs movie poster

In addition to sadistic killers and creepy villains with sharp knives, clowns often feature prominently in horror movies as portents of evil. No more so than this scary clown doll that comes to life and terrorizes Heather O'Rourke's young character in Poltergeist, 'Carol Anne Freeling'.

Original clown doll from Poltergeist

Poltergeist movie poster

Next up may not seem like much, but this torch prop was used in the original 1933 black and white King Kong classic, starring Fay Wray, and so is an important piece of cinematic history.

Original torch prop from King Kong

1933 King Kong movie poster

Finally for this installment of original props and models are the special effects appliances used in Turner Network Television's 1994 adaptation of Frankenstein, starring Randy Quaid under the make-up of the classic horror monster.

Frankenstein's special effects make-up appliances on display

And that's all for today folks, check back soon for more original props used in action, historic epics, comedies, romance and western movies on display at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on April 7, 2011.

Planet Hollywood Cafe Las Vegas

If you like these, be sure to check out more film props and costumes on display at the Planet Hollywood store at Walt Disney World in Florida.

SS Venture ship and Skull Island models from Peter Jackson's King Kong...

This model of the 1930's SS Venture boat from Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong remake can be seen on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.

SS Venture ship model from the 2005 movie King Kong

After filming was completed on the movie in New Zealand, the models of the SS Venture and Skull Island were shipped to California to be used as part of the Studio Tour backlot attraction.

Skull Island and SS Venture ship models from King Kong

These pictures were taken on April 13, 2009.

King Kong movie poster