Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes
from Film and Television
On 11/29/08 I went to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI (a Detroit Suburb). To be honest I go to the museum fairly regularly to walk through the acres of historical artifacts and memorabilia of Americana. If you're ever in town I recommend it whole heartedly. This trip however was specifically to see a special exhibit that was on loan from the Sci Fi Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, WA. On display were 40 costumes and related memorabilia from some of the most iconic movies and TV shows in the science fiction and fantasy genres. (Yes, that is the some what disturbing actual ad at the top of the page.)
With everything behind glass and flashing lights every where it was nearly impossible to get good pictures, but I took some any way just to give everyone a sense of what was on display. I also couldn't use a flash so the steadiness of my hands was really tested. I hope you enjoy these any way.
The hat belonging to the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. Still in pretty good shape. The same can't be said for Margaret Hamilton. | ||
The vest worn by William Shatner in the Star Trek
episode Mirror, Mirror in which he was transported into an alternate
universe during an ion storm. Captain Kirk was mercilessly
tormented by goatee be-clad Spocks, aggressively goal oriented Chekovs
and seriously scarred Sulus. Mystery Science Theater fans may remember that this particular episode was spoofed during Last of the Wild Horses (611). |
||
A popular nemesis of Captain Kirk was the lizard man Gorn who appeared in the 1967 Star Trek episode Arena. Kirk spent the episode making home made gunpowder to kill his enemy when all Gorn really wanted to do was sun himself on a rock. | ||
This is an original Klingon battle cruiser used during filming of the 1966-67 Star Trek series. Those decals are really hard to get on without rippin'. | ||
Another 1966 fan favorite was Batman. Burt Ward has tried to convince convention goers ever since that the popularity of the show was really him appearing as Robin. Thank God this exhibit didn't try to recreate the massive package that Burt always claims to have been sporting. | ||
Bulging cod piece, molded nipples and a black leather mask. Of course we're talking about Val Kilmer. In this case its the costume he wore in the 1995 film Batman Forever. | ||
Val never got to rest his leather-clad butt cheeks in this version of the Batmobile though. This particular set of wheels was driven by Michael Keaton in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) and then retired. (Apparently Keaton walked off with the keys.) | ||
David Prowse's body and James Earl Jones' head fit snuggly into this Darth Vader costume used in the original Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980). | ||
Here is a storm trooper helmet and blaster from The Empire Strikes Back. I think its the second guy on the right. | ||
Luke's light saber from the original Star Wars AND his severed hand from The Empire Strikes Back. HIS ACTUAL HAND! Is that friggin' cool or what? | ||
Personally I thought this was a very cool costume. This was worn by Bernard Hughes as Dumont in the movie Tron. By today's standards the movie may be a little goofy and melodramatic, but pretty ground breaking at the time of its release in 1982. | ||
Now here's a cultural icon. This is the leather jacket worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Also on display are his whip, the "headpiece" from Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and the actual Holy Grail from the Last Crusade. Nice grouping. | ||
Dr. Ray Stanz (Dan Aykroyd) wore this jumpsuit and proton pack in the Ghostbuster movies. I didn't notice any remnants of slime on it, but I think Aykroyd downed a few burritos before he turned in the suit. | ||
Here is the 1959 Cadillac limo, also known as Ecto 1a, driven to bust ghosts in Ghostbusters II (1989). |
This is only a handful of items at the exhibit. There were also costumes from Blade Runner, Highlander, Battlestar Galactica and even Arnold's leather jacket from the Terminator. I had a great time and was glad to see these pieces of history are being preserved for future generations to enjoy. The exhibit was open from 10/11/08 to 1/11/09. I hope you were lucky enough to make it.