10 cool screen-used props from the movies on display...

In recent months I've collected together costumes, cars and motorcycles that I've come across on my travels, but I've also seen some amazing screen-used props from the movies on display. So, here's ten cool movie props to enjoy that really stood out when I started looking through my archives. 

Noisy Boy robot from Real Steel

First up is this 'Noisy Boy' robot from 2011's sci-fi movie, Real Steel, where robot boxing is the biggest sport of the future.

This purple and yellow, kanji-adorned robot was photographed on display in the foyer of Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in October 2011.

Victor Martinez was lead concept artist and robot designer on the movie and the live-action robots in the film were created by Animatronic Supervisor, John Rosengrant, and the team at Legacy Effects.

And if you like this life-size prop, make sure you take a closer look at the animatronic robot Atom from Real Steel too.

PASIV dream machine from Inception

Next up is the high-tech equipment used in 2010's sci-fi thriller Inception to help Leonardo DiCaprio and his team to enter other people's dreams to steal secrets and extract information.

This futuristic-looking PASIV (Portable Automated Somnacin IntraVenous) prop was photographed on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema in July 2010.

Fans of the Christopher Nolan movie can also enjoy more screen-used costumes and props from Inception.

Communicator from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

One prop I remember fondly from my childhood was the communicator assembled by 'E.T.' in Steven Spielberg's beloved 1982 science fiction film about a stranded alien who befriends a boy named 'Elliott'.

This makeshift device comprised of an umbrella with tin foil, a coffee tin, record player, a Speak & Spell and other wires and electronics was used by the Extra-Terrestrial to "Phone home" in the movie.

This classic movie prop was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in April 2009.

Giant egg from Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Another prop which made me go "Wow" when it was on display at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park was this giant clock steampunk-inspired egg from the 2008 Hellboy sequel.

Fans of Guillermo del Toro's comic book adaptation can also enjoy these other costumes and props from Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

Phasers from Star Trek

I've always been a fan of Star Trek, so I enjoyed seeing these updated Phasers from J. J. Abrams 2009 rebooted Star Trek film franchise, referred to as existing in the 'Kelvin Timeline'.

These screen-used props used by the crew members of the USS Enterprise were photographed at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in May 2009 alongside other original costumes and props from Star Trek.

Chilled monkey brains from

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

One prop which made me laugh and shudder a little (I'm not a fan of snakes) was this chilled monkey brains prop from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

This ghoulish prop from the 1984 sequel when 'Indiana Jones' and his friends were served a stoamch-churning feast of bugs, eyeball soup and more at the Pankot Palace, was photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.

Giant CIA badge from Muppets Most Wanted

One of the things I liked about 2014's Muppets Most Wanted was the simple, funny visual gag where 'Sam the Eagle's' CIA agent tries to outdo Ty Burrell's French Interpol inspector with the size of his badge, getting more and more over-sized until this giant monstrosity arrives.

This fun screen-used prop was photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in March 2014, exhibited alongside other costumes and props from Muppets Most Wanted.

Automaton prop from Hugo

In Martin Scorsese's 2011's fantasy-adventure, Hugo, an orphaned boy who lives in a 1930s Paris train station tries to solve the mystery of his late father and a mechanical automaton.

This mechanical man prop was captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood in November 2011 alongside other movie costumes and props from Hugo.

Bug extractor prop from The Matrix

1999's genre-defining sci-fi movie, The Matrix, not only brought the action and "bullet time", but also some funky futuristic contraptions like this bug extractor prop which Carrie-Anne Moss's 'Trinity' uses to remove the robotic bug from the belly of Keanu Reeves 'Neo'.

If you like this prop photographed on display at Warner Bros. Studios Backlot Tour in June 2016, be sure to check out these other models and props from The Matrix movies.

Black Pearl miniature pirate ship

from Pirates of the Caribbean

And finally for this eclectic selection of film props, here's a miniature 'Black Pearl' pirate ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie sequels.

This spectacular scaled-down pirate ship was photographed on display at Disney's D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in August 2011.

Plus be sure to also check out the HMS Endeavour filming model from Pirates of the Caribbean on display at The Reagan Library in July 2012.

You can see from this small selection why I love getting a glimpse at all the magic that goes on behind-the-scenes in Hollywood.

That's why I love showcasing all the makers, propmasters, set designers and production teams who turn fantastical ideas into reality for the big and small screen (who don't usually get credited as part of these exhibits in the same way that Costume Designers do).

10 wedding dresses and costumes from the movies and TV on display...

With Valentine's Day fast-approaching and love in the air, today I thought we'd have a look at some screen-worn wedding costumes from the big and small screen. Whether it be a look for a royal wedding or an Indian wedding, the bride always wants to feel special, so enjoy these gowns and outfits from the worlds of comedy, period and romantic drama. 

Edward Rochester costume worn by Michael Fassbender

and Jane Eyre wedding dress worn by Mia Wasikowska

First up are some wedding outfits from 2011's adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel Jane Eyre, with Mia Wasikowska as the titular heroine and Michael Fassbender as 'Edward Fairfax Rochester'.

Michael O'Connor was the Oscar-nominated Costume Designer on director Cary Fukunaga's interpretation this literary classic and these garments were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in February 2011.

Fans of Charlotte Bronte can check out these other screen-worn costumes from 2011's Jane Eyre on display.

William Cavendish costume worn by Ralph Fiennes

and Georgiana Spencer wedding dress worn by Keira Knightley

in The Duchess

The next set of period costumes are from the 2008 British historical drama directed by Saul Dibb, The Duchess. 

The film chronicles the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgina Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, played by Keira Knightley, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life.

Ralph Fiennes plays her husband, William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire.

Michael O'Connor was the Oscar-winning Costume Designer on this lavish film and these costumes were captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood in September 2008.

Claire Fraser wedding gown worn by Caitriona Balfe

in Outlander 

The next wedding gown is from the television adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's best-selling Outlander historical romance book series.

The series follows the adventures of 'Claire Randall' (played by Caitriona Balfe), a 1940s combat nurse who is flung back in history to the Scottish Highlands where she meets and falls for and weds Sam Heughan's rugged highlander, 'Jamie Fraser'.

Terry Dresbach was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding period Costumes on the series and this wedding dress and more were photographed on display at The Grove shopping mall back in May 2015.

Fans of the time-tossed romantic drama can also enjoy these other Outlander costumes from across the ages.

Queen Elizabeth II wedding gown worn by Claire Foy

in The Crown

Keeping to television and Claire Foy wore this wedding gown as Queen Elizabeth II in the first season of Netflix's British Royal Family drama, The Crown.

Michele Clapton was the Emmy-winning Costume Designer on the lavish historical series tasked with recreating the monarch's the dress from her wedding to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on November 20, 1947.

This wedding gown and more costumes from season one of The Crown was photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in August 2017.

Princess Margaret wedding gown worn by Vanessa Kirby

in The Crown

Meanwhile in the sophomore season of the Netflix drama we also got to see the wedding dress worn by Vanessa Kirby playing Princess Margaret when she wed photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones on May 6, 1960.

Jane Petrie was the Emmy-winning Costume Designer on this season of The Crown and you can see more of her costume designs that were on display at L.A.'s FIDM Museum in August 2018.

Annie Banks wedding dress worn by Kimberly Williams

in Father of the Bride

In the 1991 remake of Father of the Bride, Kimberly Williams wore this wedding gown as 'Annie Banks' the on-screen daughter of Steve Martin's 'George'.

This wedding dress with its customized sneakers were designed by Susan Becker for the romantic family comedy directed by Charles Shyer.

Lillian Donovan wedding dress worn by Maya Rudolph

in Bridesmaids

In 2011 Maya Rudolph played the bride-to-be in the hilarious comedy, Bridesmaids. She played 'Lillian Donovan' and tried on and quickly rejected this heavily ruffled Lady St. Petsios JuJu-designed wedding gown (a fictional fashion label) in the film.

Leesa Evans was responsible for the Costume Design of this over-the-top wedding dress from Paul Feig's movie and it was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on January 2014.

Sunaina wedding sari worn by Tina Desai

and Sonny Kapoor costume worn by Dev Patel

in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 

In the 2015 heartwarming comedy, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Dev Patel's 'Sonny Kapoor' finally married his love 'Sunaina' (played by Tina Desai) as he expanded his dreams of opening another living place in Indian for the elderly.

This sequel to the adaptation of Deborah Moggach's 2004 novel, These Foolish Things, was directed by John Madden and Louise Stjernsward was Costume Designer on the film.

Make sure you take a look at these Indian wedding costumes from The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that were on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema in February 2015.

Fatima wedding sari worn by Rakhee Thakrar

in TV's Four Weddings and a Funeral

In 2019 streaming service Hulu aired the mini-series adaptation of the 1994 British romantic comedy classic, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

In the television series one of the weddings was for Rakhee Thakrar's 'Fatima' and she wore this traditional red wedding sari.

Make sure you also take a look at Rebecca Rittenhouse's wedding dress from TV's Four Weddings and a Funeral on display at Disney's D23 Expo in August 2019.

Miss Piggy's Vivienne Westwood wedding dress

from Muppets Most Wanted

And finally for this collection of movie wardrobes, here's a fun wedding gown worn by the muppet 'Miss Piggy' in the 2014 movie, Muppets Most Wanted, when she finally tried to marry 'Kermit The Frog'.

Even though it's made for an infamous muppet, this wedding dress was designed by none other than iconic British fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood, as was photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in March 2014.

Hopefully you've enjoyed a glimpse at all these wedding outfits, with all the cinemas, museums, conventions and exhibitions closed to the ongoing pandemic, what costume genre roundups would you like to see next - fairytales, science fiction, superheroes, supervillians or something else?

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.

Fun screen-used props featured in Muppets Most Wanted on display...

Muppets Most Wanted may not be setting any U.S. box office records compared to the 2011 The Muppets big screen revival, but I thought this latest cinematic outing of Jim Henson's creations was great fun, with all your favourite Muppets in character and with some stand out musical numbers, like 'The Big House' and 'I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu)'.

Original movie props from Muppets Most Wanted

Having seen the comedy crime caper it was also pretty cool to see these screen-used props from the film in person, on display with Miss Piggy's couture costumes from Muppets Most Wanted at the infamous El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on March 21, 2014.

Muppets Most Wanted movie poster

In the Muppets newest adventure, after their comeback the gang are convinced to go on a world tour by Ricky Gervais' 'Dominic Badguy', who is in league with a 'Kermit the Frog' imposter and master criminal, 'Constantine'. Meanwhile whilst Kermit is thrown into a Russian Gulag where Tina Fey is the warden, the diabolical duo use the Muppets stage shows to distract from their crime heists, with the ultimate goal to steal England's Crown Jewels.

With no Kermit to manage the show, all kinds of things go on that would never have happened, like an extra long sleep-inducing music gig by 'Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem', including fan-favourite 'Animal' on drums.

Animal's drum set props from Muppets Most Wanted

Here's Animal's percussion drum set on display from the movie, plus the band's colourful loudspeakers.

The Muppets world tour takes them to Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London, and here's Miss Piggy's Berlin dressing room set on display. The German translation of The Muppets makes for a nice visual language gag with the 'Die Muppets' venue sign.

Miss Piggy's Berlin dressing room set from Muppets Most Wanted

Even though this Berlin set doesn't appear in the movie for long, it goes to show how much work and effort, and the little touches, that go into creating the Muppets world.

If you like this fun backstage room set, be sure to check out these recreations of Kermit's office and Miss Piggy's dressing room from The Muppets movie in 2011.

Authentic Muppets Most Wanted movie props

Constantine and his henchman's crime spree through the galleries and vaults of Europe is actually a quest to find clues to help them steal the British Crown Jewels. To do this they steal a painting of 'Colonel Thomas Blood' which has a secret treasure map on the back, which leads them to a golden locket and key in the Irish National Bank in Dublin.

Ricky Gervais bust from Muppets Most Wanted

The bust from Madrid's museum is actually an ancestor of Dominic Badguy and the coins at the base are the calling card of his criminal persona, 'The Lemur', which he leaves at the scene of a crime.

By thew way the knight statues above are from the Tower of London vault where the Crown Jewels are kept.

In the movie Ty Burrell plays a French Interpol inspector, 'Jean Pierre Napoleon', trying to solve these crimes with the aid of the CIA's 'Sam the Eagle'.

Badge credential props from Muppets Most Wanted

These I.D. credential props are from a fun scene where the international law enforcement agents try to one-up each other with the size of their badges, and you can also see more if you take a look at Ty Burrell's Interpol badge costume from Muppets Most Wanted on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema. As you can see, Sam the Eagle wins this battle of wills when his giant CIA badge arrives via UPS carrier.

Le Maximum Interpol car prop from Muppets Most Wanted

And finally, another one of these tiny green Le Maximum Interpol car props was on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks, but the El Capitan Theatre also had one in their foyer for cinema goers to enjoy.

As you can see there was a wealth of fantastic props to enjoy and you can see them all in person at the Hollywood venue, along with the costumes and Miss Piggy's Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, until April 17, 2014. 

Muppets Most Wanted movie billboard