Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Movieland Wax Museum- Vintage Michael Jackson

In what should be my last tribute post to Michael Jackson, we see another version of the Movieland figure. This stylized, and dramatic photograph shows the King of Pop in a cloud of fog as if in a music video. It's the same exact figure that we've seen twice before in these tributes, but the artistic nature of this shot shows the figure in a whole new way.


A close up of the pop star. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; Lighting makes all the difference in a wax museum display. Michael Jackson's influence will continue to be felt for a long time to come.


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Monday, June 29, 2009

Madame Tussauds London- Michael Jackson

This vintage shot from Madame Tussaud's in London shows Michael Jackson in what looks like his "Thriller" phase. Unlike my previous posts, this shot shows an even younger Jackson figure. It is sporting the trademark white sequined glove, and has far less realistic expression in the face. Although this was a "performing" Jackson, they didn't quite get the figure right, and the newer versions are far more accurate.


What I do like about this shot is the way the light behind the glove makes it look like the figure's hand is glowing. Of course that's just the angle, right?

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

World Wax Museum- Michael Jackson

In my first Michael Jackson post I showed pictures from Movieland Wax Museum of the King of Pop. Here we see the exact same figure after Movieland closed. It was moved to the World Wax Museum exhibit in South Korea. Along with several other Movieland figures, Jackson entertained people on a whole new Continent.


A close up of the figure. It stands the same here as it did in Buena Park for all those years.

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Guinness World Records Museum- Michael Jackson

The Guinness World Records Museum had a small display about Michael Jackson. The record breaking musician's record "Thriller" has sold more copies world wide than any other album. Like several other museums, they have Jackson during his "Bad" phase.


A close up of the figure. The large Bad belt buckle is a nice touch.


A side view with the museum's actual lighting. The lighting makes a lot of difference in the presentation of the figure.

The tribute will continue as we have more pictures of the superstar to share.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Madame Tussauds Vegas- Michael Jackson

As fans across the country begin to cope with Michael Jackson's death, we continue our tribute to the King of Pop. This Jackson figure is from Madame Tussaud's Las vegas, and shows an older, more recent Michael. Its hair is longer, and the outfit reflects a more modern look.


A closer view of the figure. Its skin seems darker than Jackson's actual skin. Although, he must have been a very difficult figure to get right.


Tussaud's always does a good job when they attempt motion in a figure. It looks as if it is in mid glance.


The figures are around for people to get a picture with, though any picture with Michael Jackson would not look quite right because of that expression. He would seem to be looking away from the camera.

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Movieland Wax Museum- Michael Jackson

In what is a very sad and tragic day, Michael Jackson has passed away. This will be the first of several tributes that Houses of Wax will give to the King of Pop. Here you see Michael dressed in his original and authentic "Bad" outfit. He was a very popular figure in wax museums, which is very telling of his enormous talent and status. If the large crowds outside his hospital are any indication, he will be missed for a long, long time.


Another view of the figure. It shared the stage with other iconic wax musicians.


Even John Lennon could not hold a candle to Michael Jackson. John also died young.


A close up of the figure.


A clapboard sign giving information on the star. He was on hand to unveil his figure.


This less detailed, and lower quality figure sold at the movieland auction for $900. The actual figure moved to the World Wax Museum in South Korea.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Miami Wax Museum- Columbus in Spain

This image shows Christopher Columbus Dressed as a votary of St. Francis. Beside him is his son Diego. They have arrived at the convent of La Rabida, in Spain in 1485. Columbus sailed in the Mediterranean for years before his famed voyage in 1492.


A closer view of the two wax figures. This is not the usual portrayal of Christopher Columbus, as most views show him landing in the new world.


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Monday, June 22, 2009

American Historical Wax Museum- Revolutionary Scenes

Today's post is another treat from reader Purple peanut, as he gives us a photo of three different scenes from the American Historical Wax Museum in Gatlinburg Tennessee. On the left is a meeting of Revolutionary War generals. In the middle are two officers leaning over a general's body. And on the far right is Molly Pitcher loading a cannon.


The generals off in the corner.


This might be Brannock in the French and Indian War. This is a "vintage" photograph, so the information is limited on the tableaux.

Thanks again to Purple Peanut for this and the many other pictures that I will post soon.

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Guinness World Records Museum- World's Oldest Man

A figure of Shigechiyo Izumi sits at the Guinness World Records Museum in Hollywood as the representation of the world's oldest man to ever live. The Japanese man lived from 1865-1986, a total of 120 years and 237 days. To date, he is the oldest living man to be verified, and the second oldest person behind Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment. She lived to be 122 years and 164 days.


A closer shot of the figure. Next to him are pictures of historic events which happened during his lifespan. These include such things as the invention of the light bulb and telephone , to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.


A close up of the figure. They did a great job making him look old.

Visit the Guinness World records website here.

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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Potter's Wax Museum- John Wycliffe

(1320s-1384)

This vintage wax figure from the Potter's Wax Museum in Florida shows English theologian John Wycliffe. He was critical of the Roman Catholic church and papal authority. He also believed in having the Bible available to the common man, a major issue of the upcoming reformation. Because he was the earliest reformers he is known as "The Morning Star of the Reformation". His English translation of the Bible is one of his biggest and most historical achievements.


A close up of the figure of John Wycliffe.

Visit the Potter's Wax Museum's website here.

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Madame Tussaud's- Nastassja Kinski

In the old Madame Tussaud's London Conservatory we find German born actress Nastassja Kinski standing near the stairs. A model and actress in her teens, Nastassja Kinski became famous for her stunning good looks and has performed in dozens of movies. Here she shares the stage with many other notable celebrities such as the Beatles and Agatha Christie.


A close up of the actress. They did a fairly decent job with the figure, and having it hold on to the post is a great touch that must have been difficult to accomplish.

View more on Nastassja Kinski here.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's London website here.

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Monday, June 08, 2009

Disneyland- Main Street Cinema

At Disneyland, with all of its animatronic figures and characters, some of the best features of the park are the simplest ones. Here, we see Main Street Cinema, a small building which shows classic Mickey Mouse cartoons. In front of the entrance is a ticket booth with a figure of "Tilly", a cast member who is originally from Walt Disney's home town of Marceline Missouri.


A view of the ticket booth with Tilly sitting inside. There's no movement to the figure, but the detail is fairly good.


A closer view of the figure shows more of its features. Notice the name tag. I guess that makes it an honorary cast member.


From straight on you can see not only the figure's hat hanging up, but also photographs of many famous individuals. I'm not sure what their significance is with either Disney or Missouri.


And from another angle.


Some of the signs around the entrance advertise the movies inside.


And on the other wall is more of the same.


And the star of the cinema himself, Mickey Mouse.

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Thursday, June 04, 2009

Hawaiian Wax Museum- Captain James Cook Discovers Hawaii

(1779)

This intriguing scene from the Hawaiian Wax Museum shows the meeting between Captain James Cook (1728-1789) and Hawaiian King Kalaniopuu (1729-1782). The two exchanged gifts, of linens, cloaks, sugar, fruits, sabers, etc. But soon the relations with the Hawaiian peoples became strained, and a fight resulted between them, ending in Cook's death. However, this scene highlights the historic nature of the first meetings between the explorer and the inhabitants of Hawaii.


Captain James Cook holding what looks to be the saber that he gave Kalaniopuu.


Kalaniopuu preparing to receive the gift.


A crewman holding a linen shirt, one of the gifts for the king.

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Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Stars Hall of Fame Wax Museum- Little Caesar

With its bloody arm, the wax figure of Edward G. Robinson at the Stars Hall of Fame Wax Museum warns us of the perils of the mafia. Here, we see him shot, probably about to die alone. Little Caesar was released in 1931, and also starred Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Glenda Farrell. The figure is a copy of the one from the Movieland Wax Museum, and was virtually identical to its southern California counterpart.

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