By Neena Strichart
Although I am a huge movie fan, I am not one to go to the movies. In fact, I can’t remember the last one I saw at a theatre. My preference is to watch films on television, in my jammies, pausing to start a new load of laundry or grab a snack. These days I’m finding myself recording more and more old movies from TCM (Turner Classic Movies).
Feeling under the weather last weekend, I watched several movies I had saved up for a “rainy day.” I saw Pinky for the first time. It’s a fabulous old black-and-white movie telling a story of racism and starring Ethel Barrymore, Ethel Waters and Jeanne Crain. On a happier note, I also saw The Bride Goes Wild with Van Johnson and June Allyson. What a fun film.
At the end of this month, Mom and I plan to actually venture out and see a movie with the city of Signal Hill’s Community Services Department. They are offering a family excursion to the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood to enjoy the movie Alice in Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Tim Burton, Mia Wasikowska, and Helena Bonham Carter. If you’d like to join us, do reserve your seats now for Saturday, March 27 at 10am. Let them do the driving with a chartered bus and door-to-theatre service. The registration fee includes transportation and admission to the theatre. The cost for residents of Signal Hill is $18 and $23 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required and can be made by check or cash only. Registrations will be accepted until filled. For more information, contact the Community Services Department at (562) 989-7330.
With the Academy Awards coming up this Sunday evening, I thought I’d share some movie-type information I garnered from Antiques Roadshow appraiser Phil Weiss regarding some of the box office’s biggest moneymakers— the props and collectibles associated with Academy Award-winning films and actors. Check this out!
Five of the Highest Value Movie Props from Academy Award-Winning Films
• The Wizard of Oz (the iconic ruby slippers sold for $666,000 in 2000)
• The Maltese Falcon (the Maltese Falcon sold for $389,500 in 1994)
• Star Wars (Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, used in the first two films, sold for $240,000 in 2008)
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (a pink cocktail dress Audrey Hepburn wore in the film sold for $192,000 in 2007)
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (a voodoo doll modeled after Harrison Ford sold for $30,000 in 2008)
Academy Award-Winning Actors with the Most Valuable Signatures
• Humphrey Bogart  ($1,000+)
• Clark Gable ($800-$1,200)
• John Wayne ($500-$1,000)
• Marlon Brando ($500-$1,000)
• Gary Cooper ($500-$1,000)
Academy Award-Winning Actresses with the Most Valuable Signatures
• Grace Kelly ($1,000+)
• Judy Holliday ($1,000+)
• Vivien Leigh ($1,000+)
• Katherine Hepburn ($500-$1,000)
• Mary Pickford ($250-$500)
