Two days before Michael Jackson’s public memorial ceremony at Staples Center, dealer Ray Lopez unveiled his vast private collection of memorabilia relating to the King of Pop at the Pasadena City College Flea Market. That was at the peak of Jacko hysteria but there was still plenty of hype the following weekend at the Rose Bowl so he once again brought out his 300+ items. ”I started collecting it around 20 years ago because I like his music,” said Lopez, who normally sells glassware and smalls. He decided that it was time to sell when he got news of his death. The Japanese shoppers were some of his biggest customers when it came to his Jacko Pepsi cans, posters, silver sequined gloves and dolls. He even offered a plastic Halloween mask, souvenir spoons, and a cardboard cutout from the singer’s “Bad” years. A framed poster and CD from Jackson’s Dangerous Tour (1992-93) walked on the edge for $75. Lopez was such a big fan that he made the trek all the way out to Neverland Ranch just to have lunch with his family in front of the Amusement Park. ”I never made it behind the gates,” he admitted. Lopez also stopped in Garey, Indiana at took a look at Jackson’s childhood home during one of his cross country RV trips.
Category Archives: Entertainment
Former Soupy Sales star's estate props
Connie Porter’s space was a tribute to actor and artist John Deaven who used to be on “The Gong Show,” “Soupy Sales” and “Sonny and Cher.” ”He also had his own theater company in Hollywood called ‘John’s Place” said Porter, a specialist in Disney props. The paper Seven Dwarves, Wicked Witch, and Prince Charming, all theater props, went off to work for $75. His message hearts, signed and dated 1999, warmed up to $5 each. Porter also offered an animated jack-o-lantern sign that Deaven carried at the last writer’s strike before his death. Deaven died around five years ago, but his wife, Nancy, finally decided to clear out some of the house after sending their child off to UCLA. ”He had all kinds of movie props in his garage,” said Porter, adding that his widow cried as she helped load up some of his props into her van. She purchased the items on the second day of the estate sale held in early May. Along with props, olfferings at the Los Angeles estate included high end furniture, including a Chippendale vanity and highboy, Ronson elephants, lava lamps, 1970s German Olympics memorabilia, Bicentennial wood table lamps, and a huge collection of miniature hotel soaps.
dexter buys $100 formica table
Reading about Jeanne Little’s grandson Dexter reminding Torrance Antique Fair producer Julie Randall about her own eerie Dexter experience. While watching actor Michael Hall getting carjacked and attacked on Six Feet Under (on DVD), she received a phone call from the actor who currently plays Dexter on the Showtime series by the same name. He announced that he wanted to buy a 1950s formica table that he had seen in her store. She sold it to him for $100 plus $45 for the delivery. She couldn’t resist bringing the piece of furniture over herself. “When he answered the door, I said ‘It’s my favorite serial killer.’ I watch Dexter too,” she said. Randall even got a shot of herself with Hall and the table as a memento of her brush with a serial killing cop.
waxing Nostalgia
What some are calling the first really creepy auction of the 21st century, Profiles in History is auctioning nearly 200 celebrities from the Hollywood Wax Museum on May 1st. Critics say that the creepiness level of this auction is nothing compared to the creepy factor of the auction three years ago when the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park went out of business. That one included frightening tableaus of Jack Nicholson with an ax, from the Shining, the Creature from the Black Lagoon rising from a swamp, Frankenstein, Aaron Burr as Perry Mason losing a case, Brad Pitt as a blonde-haired woman, and an excited Little Richard at the piano. At the Hollywood Wax Museum auction, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and the cast of Star Trek will be beaming down for the landmark’s first auction in its 44-year history. Unlike the last liquidation at the Buena Park wax museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum is not closing its doors despite the rumors. It is simply making room for new additions to their collection. Some of the figures that had early interest included the Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy (est. $8,000-$10,000), as well as the Wicked Witch and Nikko the flying monkey (est. $3,000-$5,000), All three of the Stooges ($3,000-$5,000), and Christopher Reeves as Superman ($2,000-$3,000). Expected to bring the highest amount in the “Found Innocent” category is Michael Jackson’s costume from the “Bad” music video. It is expected to bring between $30,000 and $50,000, five times more than any other item in the auction. There will be several sightings of the pop star. Other Jackobilia includes a wax Michael from his video “Bad.” With wax head sculpted by Hollywood Wax Museum curator Ken Horn, the pop star wears a replica of the iconic outfit (the original is also being auctioned). The “Bad” wax figure is estimated to perform for $3,000-$5,000. Marking an earlier point in his career, a Zombie Michael from his video “Thriller” (paired with two additional zombies) hopes to scare up a final bid of $4,000-$6,000. Fans can bid on political figures such as George Washington ($2,000-$3,000) and John F. Kennedy ($2,000-$3,000); athletes like Tiger Woods ($2,000-$3,000) and Michael Jordan ($2,000-$3,000); and musicians such as Cher ($2000-$3,000), Stevie Wonder ($2,000-$3,000), and the Fab Four ($8,000-$10,000). Television and film personalities that will hit the block include Lucille Ball ($5,000-$7,000), Johnny Carson ($2,000-$3,000), Mel Gibson ($2,000-$3,000), and Charlie Chaplin ($2,000-$3,000). Marilyn Monroe ($2,000-$3,000) and James Dean ($3,000-$5,000) represent “The Young and the Dead,” since they both died at the peak of their careers. In the science fiction category, there will be several wax Star Trek characters, including Leonard Nimoy as Spock and William Shatner as Captain Kirk from the 1982 Paramount movie ($4,000-$6,000). Before he became the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger was part human and mostly machine as “The Terminator.” With simulated blood stains and exposed interior metal skeleton, the cyborg is estimated to come back for $2,000-$3,000. There are plenty of beautiful celebrities transformed into fish wives, like in the case of the incredibly frumpy Nicole Kidman ($1,000-$1,500), Julia Roberts, who looks more like a pre-makeup Princess Leia ($2,000-$3,000), and Kate Winslet from “Titanic,” posed as if she’s challenging onlookers to figure out who she’s supposed to be ($4,000-$6,000 with Leonardo DiCaprio). The Oprah Winfrey figure bears only a slight resemblance to the self righteous talk show host, but looks more like Diana Ross fresh out of rehab, ($2,000-$3,000). Fitting into the worst costumes category better than they fit into there outfits, is the Beatles. Their brightly-colored Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band outfits are hanging off their lifeless bodies. The Fab Four is expected to play for $8,000-$10,000. Skinny Bill Clinton stands alone in the Impeached President category. Although his estimate is only $2,000-$3,000, the interest so far suggests that he might soar past “Zombie” and “Bad” Michael Jacksons. Honorable mention in this category would have to go to Richard Nixon, who resigned before he was impeached. Tricky Dick looks a little bit puzzled in his likeness ($2,000-$3,000). The auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. on May 1st. An 18% buyer’s premium will be added to each lot. Profiles in History is located at 26901 Agoura Rd. suite 150 in Calabasas Hills. Call (310) 859-7701 for more information. Hollywood Wax Museum History The museum was the brainchild of entrepreneur Spoony Singh and was opened in 1965. It makes the bizarre claim in it’s promotional literature to be the only wax museum dedicated solely to celebrities. All wax museums have always been dedicated to celebrities because why would they spend the time and money eternalizing someone that nobody has ever heard of. The lobby and most of the inside was renovated in 2006, and a new neon sign containing 1,532 incandescent light bulbs and 1,189 feet of neon was erected in honor of the museum’s 40th anniversary. After Singh’s death, his sons and grandson continue to own, operate and further the Hollywood Wax Museum’s legacy. The group built a Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson, Missouri in 1985, which is currently undergoing a renovation scheduled for completion in the Spring of 2009. The newest Hollywood Wax Museum was opened in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in 2007.
Cedric Gibbons Oscarworthy design
Just in time for the Academy Awards, Dennis Boses unveiled a pair of lamps with cubist figural bases that looked very reminiscent of the Oscar statue at the Palm Springs Modernism Show. That is because they designed by the famous Irish American art director Cedric Gibbons, who designed the Oscar statuette in 1928. ”They have a cubistic look so I would guess they were made at around the same time as he designed the Oscar,” said Boses. The regal-looking lamps would accept an offer $2,200. Designing lamps and statues was not Gibbon’s primary accomplishment. He was very active in the golden era of cinema. He was one of 36 founding members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and oversaw the design of the Academy Awards Oscar statuette in 1929, a trophy for which he himself would be nominated 39 times, winning 11
Blonde Cher
Gloria Crane considers herself a blonde Cher. She admits she can’t sing like Cher, but she can dance, wear wild clothing and grow her hair nice and long. ”I imitate her hairstyle, and style of clothing, but I’m still myself,” she said. Crane has decided to remain blonde rather than go brunette, since she has such light blue eyes
1949's big Screen
Although juke box and radio dealer Murray Clark felt that watching the tiny screen on his 1949 Pilot television would be ridiculous, it is all rage today. With the widespread availability of smart phones, like the I-phone, people are watching their favorite television shows and full length movies on comparable size screens. Clark’s Pilot television. priced at $149, is housed in a Bakelite style plastic case flanked on either side with speakers. It has four knobs on the bottom for volume and tuning.
Groucho's You Bet Your Life
Groucho Marx
