After much soul-searching over the past few months during this pandemic I've decided to shutter my costumes and props blog and this will be my final post. Over the years I've really enjoyed sharing the screen-used costumes, props and vehicles I've discovered on my travels to cinemas, museums, expos and theme parks with you all. Sadly it's become financially unviable to sustain this blog, so enjoy this last collection of screen treasures that have special meaning to me before this blog is archived away.
Catwoman costume worn by Michelle Pfeiffer
in Batman Returns
Michelle Pfeiffer and her sewn-together, skin-tight catsuit and whip stole the show for me in 1992's Batman Returns, so I was thrilled to see one of her original latex costumes on display at Warner Bros. Studios VIP Museum in Burbank in July 2014.
If you're a cat lover and DC Comics fan, make sure you take a closer look at her Catwoman catsuit on display.
Wonder Woman costume worn by Lynda Carter
Also on display at the museum tour was this fabulous costume worn by Lynda Carter in the 1970s Wonder Woman TV show.
As a young gay boy growing up in the 70s I loved watching this superheroine twirl and twirl her way to victory and dispense justice every episode.
Silk Spectre II costume worn by Malin Akerman
and Nite Owl costume worn by Patrick Wilson
in Watchmen
Speaking of superheroes, these screen-worn movie costumes from Zack Snyder's 2009 movie adaptation of Watchmen were some of the first I saw in person after I'd moved to L.A. from the U.K. in March 2009.
Even more importantly, these cinematic treasures were exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood cinema out of reflective display cases and you could see them up close in glorious in 360° detail.
Captain America costumes worn by Chris Evans
in Avengers: Endgame
Meanwhile this trio of 'Captain America' uniforms featured in Avengers: Endgame were photographed at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum in February 2020.
I've always loved Chris Evans (and his ass) wrapped in red, white and blue Stars and Stripes in the Avengers movies and his own solo outings, it's a hard costume to translate from comic book page to big screen.
Sucker Punch movie costumes
Zack Snyder's 2011 action fantasy Sucker Punch set in a lunatic asylum may not have been the biggest success at the box office, but I did get to see these cool costumes worn by the cast on display at ArcLight Pasadena cinema before they were put behind reflective cases for the film's theatrical release.
These costumes designed by Michael Wilkinson were worn by Abbie Cornish as 'Sweet Pea', Vanessa Hudgens as 'Blondie', Emily Browning as 'Babydoll', Jena Malone as 'Rocket' and Jamie Chung as 'Amber'.
Mad Max: Fury Road movie costumes
To my surprise I loved the non-stop action of 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, especially Charlize Theron as the War Rig-driving 'Furiosa'.
Jenny Beavan won the Best Costume Design Oscar for her futuristic wasteland costumes and this duo of looks were display at L.A.'s FIDM Museum in February 2017.
Cruella de Vil flame dress worn by Glenn Close
in 102 Dalmatians
Speaking of Academy Award winners, and Anthony Powell scored the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his flamboyant 'Cruella de Vil' designs worn by Glenn Close in Disney's 2000 sequel, 102 Dalmatians.
I first saw this elaborate 'flame dress' on display at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley in July 2012 and then five years later at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim in July 2017.
Alice in Wonderland costumes
worn by Mia Wasikowska
2010's live-action Alice in Wonderland also scored the Best Costume Design Oscar for Colleen Atwood and these gorgeous dresses worn by Mia Wasikowska as the titular Lewis Carroll heroine were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood in October 2010 during awards season.
Grease Lightning 1946 Ford custom convertible from Grease
One of my favourite movies growing up was 1978's romantic musical Grease and so it was so cool to see the Grease Lightning dream car from the film on display at Hollywood's Madame Tussauds, courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum, in December 2012.
Tik-Tok clockwork robot costume
from Return to Oz
And finally, before the TikTok social media app craze, there was the wind-up clockwork robot, the 'Royal Army of Oz', in 1985's Return to Oz.
L. Frank Baum's 'Tik-Tok' character was brought to life by acrobat Michael Sundin squeezed inside the suit, voiced by Sean Barrett, with Tim Rose remotely-operating the head.
I loved this darker Oz fantasy sequel when I was a kid and so was excited to see this shiny suit of burnished copper on display at Disney's D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in August 2013.
Fans of the film can check out more costumes and props from Return to Oz on display.
As you can see I've come across some real wonders living in Hollywoodland and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
So here's to new adventures to come and in the immortal words of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - "Be good!".
