Most Iconic props of all time?

[SingleSeat]

Since we've already crossed the wardrobe line, of course we can mention almost any Star Wars helmet. I just noticed the artwork on the C5 page, and Sir Fett himself finds a way into over half of them :love. Not so with other helmets. I'd call that iconic.

(and I'm not even counting all the C5 Fett-derived logos, haha)

 

[Mr Webber]

The Mad Max sawn off shotgun, Blade Runner Spinner, Bonds Walther PPK and a Vodka Martini, shaken not stired are the first things that pop in my head.

 

[Phelyx]

I know someone else already mentioned this one, but the more I think about it... "Rosebud" in CITIZEN KANE is pretty iconic in several ways. Not only is the entire film about the quest to discover the identity this particular prop, but it represents the entire underlying theme of the film itself. CITIZEN KANE is literally "about" that one simple item and what it represents. KANE tops many "best films" lists, and to many people it's a film icon itself. So I'm thinking that might be my other choice... the giant KANE campaign poster is pretty awesome, too.
Everyone has memories of items in films that are personally meaningful - to me it just might be the portrait of Barnabus Collins that was used in the old DARK SHADOWS TV show.... or the Golden Fleece from JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS.

 

[monsterbob]

Number one prop is Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, hands down.

As far as those Chaplin color shots, I believe those pants to be GRAY and not blue. I have found (in original costumes) that gray is probably the most touchy color to identify on film, as it doesn't translate well on film. I assume because it is neutral, it tends to pick up/be affected by ambient backround colors on film. As a side note, gray fabric (also black and blue) are also the most likely colors to change overtime, esp. in non-colorfast material, which of course most old handmade, hand dyed costumes were made of. Black and blue often turn pinkish or purple, gray usually turns yellowish or pinkish (mauve). I have seen gold satin turn a pinkish also, and blood red (esp. satin) will turn an orangish-rust color.

 

[Roush9855]

Dorothy slippers are in itself an iconic prop...but what about the wicked witches hat? It was recently put up for auction after many years. I mean because of that witch, every other little girl during Halloween mimics her. She was in my opinion just as iconic as Dorothy.

 

[monsterbob]

Ever since they topped the 1970 MGM auction, the ruby slippers are THE prop that all others are measured by. They say the next pair that goes to auction could bring $1.5-$3 million. The last pair that sold (many years ago) went for $660,000+. The witch hat went for less than half of that last year.

The witch hat may be iconic to prop collectors, but to little girls? Most little girls (including mine) go through a "Dorothy" phase at about 2-4 years, wanting their own dress and ruby slippers. I don't know of one that wanted to be the witch, except perhaps at Halloween, (even then, I don't recall knowing one personally). "A" witch, maybe, but specifically the OZ witch?

I used to attend the Wizard of Oz fest in Indiana every year, and 99% of the little girls in attendance were absolutely TERRIFIED by the witch (as was mine), and there must have been 500-750 little Dorothys showing up every year.

The witches' hat is a great (even iconic) prop for sure, but nothing stands up to those ruby slippers.

 

[Vandark]

Gotta be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

 

[Posaune16]

Everyone has memories of items in films that are personally meaningful - to me it just might be the portrait of Barnabus Collins that was used in the old DARK SHADOWS TV show...

I'm with you, Phelyx - I would like to add Barnabas Collins's cane and ring, as well. If there are more iconic items from that wonderful show, I don't know what they'd be.

I always wear a big, onyx ring on my right forefinger - when I carry my own silver-handled cane and wear my Inverness cape, I am stopped by little old ladies constantly. They always want to tell me what a crush they had on Barnabas Collins...

 

[Fenris]

Since we're crossing over from props to wardrobe, I'd say any of the following would easily be recognizable by young and old:
- Batman's Cowl
- Superman's Cape
- Vader's Helmet
- Storm / Clone Trooper Helmet
- Zorro's Hat and Mask

I think if the movie is filled with out of this world costumes, the props wouldn't be that recognizable to average movie-goers... All they'd notice are the costumes. The actual props wouldn't be that noticeable.

 

[Jack T Chance]

So we don't distinguish between models and props.

I would never think of the Death Star as a prop. It's a miniature. A model. An effects item.

Props are on set, held or interacting with actors.

Not the same.

:rolleyesOh for the love of god...! :rolleyes

Quitcher belly-aching and rule quoting!

And throw out the ruby slippers then since they were WARDROBE and not PROPS! :angry

Actually, something I learned recently is the origin of the word prop... it is short for PROPERTY, and referred to the theater company's PROPERTY which was used in the production of plays... from Dictionary.Com...

prop2

[prop]

–noun Theater. property ( def. 8 ).



Origin:
1910–15; by shortening

—Related forms prop·less, adjective
---------------------------------------------------
property

[prop-er-tee]

–noun, plural -ties.

8. Usually shortened to: prop any movable object used on the set of a stage play or film.

Now, given THAT definition, I would think that the term could be applied to MANY items used in the production of plays, movies and TV shows! Certainly some wardrobe items fall into that category, as would some set pieces.

And a MODEL used for filming would surely be MOVABLE in most cases, would it not?

Now then, given some of this summer's big movie releases, here's some of my picks... these have long been iconic in the 4-color world of comic books, and are FINALLY being seen as props on the BIG SCREEN this summer!

1. The Most Powerful Weapon in the Universe...
   
   
2. Said weapon's power source...
   
   
3. The Hammer of a God...
   
   
4. And a very patriotic Shield...
   
   

Any questions?

 

[PHArchivist]

There is a VERY EASY way around the debate about "Prop", versus "Model" versus "Wardrobe" versus "Set Piece"...

FILM MEMORABILIA...

 

[SupermanCantFly]

Flux Capacitor

Agree!!!

 

[SloeDjinn]

In no particular order, I'ld have to say the ruby slippers as well as the hourglass from WoO, along with Mary Poppin's umbrella, and of course Jeannie's bottle (don't think it's been mentioned yet).

And there's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the original Batmobile (from the 60's).

Then there's the two-headed turtle from "The Addams Family", along with several other props from the series - including the house itself. (What town doesn't have a big old, mansard-roofed, towered, Victorian house that's referred to as that "Addams Family lookin' place"?).

 

[Wickerness]

Call me crazy, but I have no clue where this is from, lol.

If that pic had been in B&W I might have thought of Charlie Chaplin sooner, but it didn't pop in my mind as soon as it should of. Maybe a fake mustache laying there would have been a give away. I think the character's image is more iconic than his prop though.


I think that the TOS communicator would be iconic. Heck it inspired the flip phones of today.

This might be considered a piece of wardrobe, but Dick Tracy's two-way radio wristwatch would be considered iconic.

Question... If you saw silver bullets would you think of the Lone Ranger first or some werewolf movie first? If I saw them next to his mask I would definitely know what they were from, but his mask would be wardrobe.


As for the Ruby Slippers... Weren't they in the hands of the Good Witch (or on a pillow, been awhile since I've seen it) before they appear on Dorthy's feet? So for a short time they could of been considered props. Assuming the pair she holds is the same pair that goes on Judy Garlin's feet. If they weren't then they would definitely be considered props.

 

[mgbeach]

Gonna have to go with David Bowie's crotch-goblin from Labyrinth

 

[jedi5150]

I'm suprised no one has mentioned:

The Ark of the Covenant
R2-D2

I'd also still have to go with a lightsaber. I've had multiple experiences with people who aren't prop geeks who have instantly recognized my lightsaber hilts, including a door-to-door salesman, the owner of a company I worked for, neighbors, and my kids' friends. Sure it might look like a piece of pipe, but you throw grips and a d-ring on it, and people know what it is.

After that, I'd have to go with Vader's bucket, a stormtrooper helmet, the flux capacitor, and the headpiece to the staff of Ra.

 

[Rusty85]

Didn't read through every post but I'm sure Indiana Jones' whip is up there.

 

[Indys brother]

The fridge from Crystal Skull. Say whatever you want, it's now a notorious piece of film history, and a permanent part of the Indy canon. I've been trying to acquire one (it doesn't take much to modify the original to get it SA), but every time I find one, it's either the right price(free-$150), but too far away, or close by but the price is astronomical (I've seen $5,000).

Sure the crystal skull itself is infinitely cooler, but nobody ever said "Nuked The Skull", now did they? In fact, I struggle to think of another film prop that has generated it's own catchphrase. (are there any?)

 

[88reaper88]

Easy, the Knife from Pycho.
Name me one person that hasn't picked a big knife up and gone "Eeh, Eeh, Eeh, Eeh!!!"

 

[Godsmulligan]

Shoe phone...