Most Iconic props of all time?
- Thread starter GeneralFROSTY
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blubeetle3
Well-Known Member
No. No. The most ICONIC prop in Britain has to be the TARDIS itself.
Think about it. When Doctor Who started, it was just a police box. But now, people see that blue box and think "TARDIS" not "police box".
To change people's perception of an item... THAT is truly ICONIC!
Think about it. When Doctor Who started, it was just a police box. But now, people see that blue box and think "TARDIS" not "police box".
To change people's perception of an item... THAT is truly ICONIC!
I've got to go with maltese falcon on this one. Even if you haven't seen the movie, people recognize it instantly.
Dororhty's shoes were wardrobe. Don't care who made them
Tardis is a pretty solid one... for the UK. Truth is. DW just hasn't really caught on in the US like it has over there.
I can't really think of one that comes close to the falcon for global, cross-generational appeal.
Dororhty's shoes were wardrobe. Don't care who made them
Tardis is a pretty solid one... for the UK. Truth is. DW just hasn't really caught on in the US like it has over there.
I can't really think of one that comes close to the falcon for global, cross-generational appeal.
I've got to go with maltese falcon on this one. Even if you haven't seen the movie, people recognize it instantly.
Dororhty's shoes were wardrobe. Don't care who made them
Tardis is a pretty solid one... for the UK. Truth is. DW just hasn't really caught on in the US like it has over there.
I can't really think of one that comes close to the falcon for global, cross-generational appeal.
I completely agree. Although, Dorothy's slippers are wardrobe, they were so central to the story I have to consider them their own prop.
Bilbo Baggins
Well-Known Member
The slippers were used as props in the scene where we see that the house landed on the witch, and her legs curl under it.
then the slippers appear on dorothy's feet.. and become wardrobe.
Vaderman
Sr Member
I think the TARDIS is more recognized now because there hasn't been a police box in England for, what, 30 years or more?
This is a toughcall, primarily becuase the criteria is so malleable.
I think a lit lightsaber is very iconic. The Maltese Falcon certainly has longevity. Rosebud is a great surprise reveal but not what the film was about nor something you think about until the very end.
The one ring is certainly very iconic, but who would ever recognize it?
The flip open TOS communicator is a great one as well.
The Lost in Space Robot is another one that many people recognize (even when it's Robby.)
So, yeah, I would probably have to go with the TOS Saurian Brandy bottle.
This is a toughcall, primarily becuase the criteria is so malleable.
I think a lit lightsaber is very iconic. The Maltese Falcon certainly has longevity. Rosebud is a great surprise reveal but not what the film was about nor something you think about until the very end.
The one ring is certainly very iconic, but who would ever recognize it?
The flip open TOS communicator is a great one as well.
The Lost in Space Robot is another one that many people recognize (even when it's Robby.)
So, yeah, I would probably have to go with the TOS Saurian Brandy bottle.
I thought to pose this question to my wife. She loves films, imagery, etc, but is not a prop person. She wouldn't know a lightsaber from a flash gune. Her answer as to the most iconic/universally recognizable prop:
Darth Vader's helmet...... People may not know, or have seen Star Wars..... May have effectively lived in a closet as far as these films go, but will still likely recognize Vaders ominous visage... After listening to her argument, I cant help but see her point.
-Adam
Darth Vader's helmet...... People may not know, or have seen Star Wars..... May have effectively lived in a closet as far as these films go, but will still likely recognize Vaders ominous visage... After listening to her argument, I cant help but see her point.
-Adam
Jaruemalak
Well-Known Member
Well, going by that logic, Luke's lightsaber was a prop when he turned it on, and it became wardrobe when he hung it from his belt.
Jumpin Jax
Sr Member
I'd go with Lightsaber. It could be made of a rusty metal tube with a twig stuck in it and the average guy on the street would recognize it. Every dowel handled over the last 30+ years was waved around at least once by someone between the tree and final resting place.
In fact, the more vague the look of it, the more recognized it seems to be. People know the gist of a poor duplicate quicker than an exact replica.
JJ
In fact, the more vague the look of it, the more recognized it seems to be. People know the gist of a poor duplicate quicker than an exact replica.
JJ
defstartrooper
Sr Member
TOS communicator everyone knows that prop.
The show is still rerun on tv even now after all these years, show someone a TOS communicator and they will say " Beam me up Scotty " and yes i know those words were never used before someone says it
I can't think of another TV show or Movie thats had as much coverage over such a long period of time as ST TOS.
I can't go with the Maltese falcon because honestly unless you're a film buff or really old you probably haven't watched the movie and would probably just see a statue of a bird and not know what it was.
The show is still rerun on tv even now after all these years, show someone a TOS communicator and they will say " Beam me up Scotty " and yes i know those words were never used before someone says it
I can't think of another TV show or Movie thats had as much coverage over such a long period of time as ST TOS.
I can't go with the Maltese falcon because honestly unless you're a film buff or really old you probably haven't watched the movie and would probably just see a statue of a bird and not know what it was.
gmcseph
New Member
I agree, while the Maltese Falcon (Great Film) is a really distinctive item, the straw poll amongst my not completely cinema ignorant circle of friends (but they're well on the way!) had less than 50% recognise. Also agree that most people can't recognise a lightsaber hilt when unlit - if we included the noise and effects, then definitely, but people recognise the concept of the lightsaber, more than the actual metal item.....
Darth Vader's Helmet - great call, that profile is unmistakable, even for the few people in the world who haven't seen the trilogy..... (and frankly, i'm not qualified to comment on the wardrobe/prop debate!)
I think the bat-symbol's fairly recognisable.... every TV/film incarnation has had it so far, and most non-superhero fans can still pick it......
Darth Vader's Helmet - great call, that profile is unmistakable, even for the few people in the world who haven't seen the trilogy..... (and frankly, i'm not qualified to comment on the wardrobe/prop debate!)
I think the bat-symbol's fairly recognisable.... every TV/film incarnation has had it so far, and most non-superhero fans can still pick it......
DrStranglove
Sr Member
Lot of great choices here. I'll add:
The chair???
Jumpin Jax
Sr Member
Hmm, thought it was a Charlie Chaplin thing.
No?
Jumpin Jax
Sr Member
That's kind of my point. It's more iconic than the actual form of the prop itself, maybe a cheat but no less memorable. Flashlights, broomsticks, any stick frankly is a lightsaber to the average whomever.
Iconic doesn't require accuracy :thumbsup
00MrNotWrong00
Sr Member
I think that Dorothy's Ruby Slippers are most likely number one. But you'd have a hard time finding some one that doesn't know what the governor of California is best known for.
WOWZER!
When I started this thread, I had no idea it would get such a response! Thank you everyone for offering your input - all points made seem very valid, and YES, the Ruby Slippers should fall into this category because they are integral to the plot.
I would not categorize miniature models as props, unless we see an actor interact with the model on-screen (like the miniature town in Beetlejuice)
But the Vader helmet is another wild card because it is technically part of a costume, but the helmet itself is instantly recognizable, even by non-star wars fans so I think it qualifies.
As far as multiples of props made and thier inherint 'value' to collectors - this has no relevence to what makes a prop Iconic in any way. (one of)Vader's helmeta is iconic weather it's valued at a million or five dollars.
Ok, so how about a list for fans? What props do fans remember the most? What props are the most crucial to the story of thier respective movies?
-Handbook for the recently deceased
-Gray's Sports Almanac
-The Loki Mask
-Book of the Dead (the mummy AND Evil Dead)
-Goonies skull key
-Proton Pack
-Hoverboard
-Han frozen in Carbonite
-Golden Ticket (both versions)
-Wonka Bar (especially the classic version)
-MIB Neuralizer and Noisy cricket
-Original communicator and Phaser
-Ron Jeremy's penis
-Bill & Ted Phonebooth
-Tardis
I'm sure I missed a bunch, so let's establish the crietria:
1. Must be a a physical prop used on set and interacted with by the actors.
2. Must be important to the plot or have frequent on-screen use by a main character
3. Cannot be a set piece, unless that set piece is an object that (A) Falls into the parameters of these listed rules, and (B) is not a piece that is 'indegenous' of the set - example, Han in carbonite
4. Cannot be a vehicle. Other 'personal transportation' devices would be acceptable, such as the Rocketeer rocket pack.
Sound fair?
When I started this thread, I had no idea it would get such a response! Thank you everyone for offering your input - all points made seem very valid, and YES, the Ruby Slippers should fall into this category because they are integral to the plot.
I would not categorize miniature models as props, unless we see an actor interact with the model on-screen (like the miniature town in Beetlejuice)
But the Vader helmet is another wild card because it is technically part of a costume, but the helmet itself is instantly recognizable, even by non-star wars fans so I think it qualifies.
As far as multiples of props made and thier inherint 'value' to collectors - this has no relevence to what makes a prop Iconic in any way. (one of)Vader's helmeta is iconic weather it's valued at a million or five dollars.
Ok, so how about a list for fans? What props do fans remember the most? What props are the most crucial to the story of thier respective movies?
-Handbook for the recently deceased
-Gray's Sports Almanac
-The Loki Mask
-Book of the Dead (the mummy AND Evil Dead)
-Goonies skull key
-Proton Pack
-Hoverboard
-Han frozen in Carbonite
-Golden Ticket (both versions)
-Wonka Bar (especially the classic version)
-MIB Neuralizer and Noisy cricket
-Original communicator and Phaser
-Ron Jeremy's penis
-Bill & Ted Phonebooth
-Tardis
I'm sure I missed a bunch, so let's establish the crietria:
1. Must be a a physical prop used on set and interacted with by the actors.
2. Must be important to the plot or have frequent on-screen use by a main character
3. Cannot be a set piece, unless that set piece is an object that (A) Falls into the parameters of these listed rules, and (B) is not a piece that is 'indegenous' of the set - example, Han in carbonite
4. Cannot be a vehicle. Other 'personal transportation' devices would be acceptable, such as the Rocketeer rocket pack.
Sound fair?
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