In the crafting of cinematic enchantment, props might just be one of the most crucial components. These seemingly ordinary items perform remarkable feats in movies, shaping memorable aesthetics, defining cherished characters by their unique vehicles, and equipping detestable villains with instruments of mischief. Props often hold such significance in films and popular culture that they become highly sought-after collector’s pieces, fetching substantial sums of money – sometimes even overshadowing the actors themselves as the leading stars in their own narratives. The annals of Hollywood are rife with tales about iconic movie props that have mysteriously vanished, been stolen, or simply disappeared.
Occasionally, reality can be as captivating as a work of fiction. Here’s a look at five legendary missing film artifacts, such as the enigmatic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the swiped James Bond vehicle, and the elusive statue in The Maltese Falcon, among others, and their intriguing stories.
The Maltese Falcon statuette mystery
In the 1941 film “The Maltese Falcon,” starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade, the story revolves around a thrilling chase for a priceless falcon statuette adorned with jewels – the eponymous Maltese Falcon. This classic film, directed by John Huston, is among the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for its National Film Registry due to its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. However, the intrigue lies not just in the movie’s narrative but also in the history of the Maltese Falcon prop. Multiple replicas were created for the film, with various versions appearing over time – including a 45-pound metal prop and lighter weight plaster versions. The heavy lead version was bought by casino magnate Steve Wynn for $4.1 million in 2013, reportedly authenticated as the one used in the movie by a Warner Bros. archivist. Yet, doubts persist about whether plaster birds were used instead or if anyone has the original prop at all. What makes the Maltese Falcon statuette unique is not only its immense value but also the enduring mystery surrounding it.
A new hope for Star Wars’ Death Star
One fascinating aspect of the Star Wars franchise is its extensive use of practical effects, a tradition that dates back to its inception. Interestingly, an important artifact from Star Wars history nearly met its end in a garbage bin – literally! The original Death Star model from Star Wars: A New Hope was initially overlooked as something worth preserving when filming ended. However, a storage employee prevented it from being thrown away. Later, the prop found itself on display in an antique shop, but a fan couldn’t afford to buy it. Eventually, the prop became a trash can for a country western musical show. When that closed, the fan managed to purchase it. After being rescued, the original Death Star model has been restored and is now displayed in museums. A fun trivia: when the fan saw the model in the antique shop, he reached out to Lucasfilm about the prop – at that time, the studio claimed that the prop had been destroyed!
Cattle rustling on the set of World War Z
In the movie “World War Z” (2013), Brad Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator who is drawn back into action to find a cure for an unexpected zombie epidemic. The film, which broke box office records as the highest-grossing zombie movie ever, also saw an extraordinary event: the theft of two fiberglass cows from the set. These cows were used to transform a Scottish field into war-torn Philadelphia, a location in the movie where Pitt’s character resides before the outbreak. Strangely, these cow props, although not exactly realistic-looking cows, were stolen even though there was a security guard on duty during the theft. The heist took place in 2011, and to this day, the whereabouts of the stolen cows remain unknown.
James Bond’s missing Aston Martin’s international adventure
Among the many legendary aspects linked to James Bond, one particularly captivating element might be agent 007’s vehicle – most notably, the Aston Martin DB5 showcased in both “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball”. Out of four produced, two were utilized for filming, while another pair served promotional purposes. Among the movie cars, chassis number DP/2161/1 was customized with various gadgets for the film. Following filming, all weapons and gadgets were removed from it, and it went on to star in “The Cannonball Run” (1981). This is when the Aston Martin embarked on its own exciting journey, having been later sold.
Back in 1986, a businessman named Anthony Pugliese bought a car at a Sotheby’s auction in New York for $275,000. However, this car mysteriously disappeared from a secure hangar at a Boca Raton, Florida airport in June 1997. For the following 25 years, various theories circulated about the car, such as it being stolen by a real-life Bond villain. But its whereabouts remained unknown until 2022 when it was confirmed that the car was found in a private location in the Middle East. The specifics regarding the car’s current location or how it ended up there have not been disclosed, and the vehicle has yet to be recovered. The authenticity of the vehicle was verified by an anonymous source, and according to Christopher Marinello from Art Recovery International who has worked on the case since 2007, it is believed that the current owner of the car was unaware they were in possession of a stolen vehicle when they acquired it.
The long journey of Dorothy’s Wizard of Oz ruby slippers
One of the most intriguing tales surrounding a lost film prop could very well be about Dorothy’s ruby slippers from the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz”. Though each pair of ruby slippers from the film has its own captivating history, it is the pair that was bought by Michael Shaw and exhibited in his Hollywood on Tour show during the 80s that we’re focusing on. Over time, these shoes were lent to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for display, and this was true in 2005 as they were set to be shown during a 10-week period for the annual Judy Garland Festival. However, after being displayed for only one week, they were stolen and vanished without a hint until 2017 when someone stepped forward, revealing to the shoes’ insurer that they knew where the shoes had been hidden all this time.
In 2018, the FBI seized the stolen ruby slippers during a sting operation. Terry Martin, the suspect, was said to have taken them due to a belief that they were made of real rubies and their insured value of $1 million. However, upon discovering that the shoes were actually embellished with sequins, he discarded them. Martin was charged with grand larceny of artwork, but the recovery of the slippers is just one part of the story.
As part of the verification process, experts at the Smithsonian examined the shoes since they have another pair of ruby slippers on display there. This is when a surprising fact emerged: the Ruby Slippers seized by the FBI and those displayed at the Smithsonian are “mismatched twins” – in simpler terms, they are two identical pairs that were produced separately. You can read more about this intriguing discovery directly from the Smithsonian’s account.
In December, the slippers that were found and later sold at auction for an astounding $32.5 million, but there’s a surprising turn of events. Recently, it was disclosed that Jerry Hal Saliterman, the man accused of concealing the stolen slippers for almost 13 years, intends to admit guilt to charges involving the theft of significant artwork and tampering with witnesses in relation to this case. Interestingly, Martin pleaded guilty to his charges back in October 2023 and received a sentence of time served due to health issues, which was handed down in January 2024.
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2025-01-19 01:10