Prop Culture — Season 1
8 Episodes · Premiered May 1, 2020 · Ended May 1, 2020
Episodes
The props, costumes, and music from "Mary Poppins" are beloved by generations. Join movie prop collector Dan Lanigan as he reunites iconic pieces from the movie with artisans from the film. Meet artist Kevin Kidney as he explains the process of recreating Mary's snow globe for "Mary Poppins Returns." Join Jason Schwartzman in Walt Disney's office, which has been restored to its original glory. There, composer Richard Sherman discusses working with Walt and plays a familiar tune. Examine an authentic Peter Ellenshaw matte painting at the Disney Animation Library. The Library's manager of research, Fox Carney, explains the techniques used to bring "Mary Poppins" to life. Take a step back in time with choreographer Dee Dee Wood and a chimney sweep brush. Visit the Walt Disney Archives with sportscaster and TV host Erin Andrews. There, archivist Becky Cline shows iconic pieces from the film such as Mary's carpet bag and the "Jolly Holiday" carousel horses. Reunite costume designer Tony Walton with Mary's arrival dress and his costume design sketches from the film. Take a spin with actress Karen Dotrice as she thinks back on her time working with "Uncle Walt" and reconnects with a piece of her childhood.
Movie prop collector Dan Lanigan steps inside the grid to learn that there's no shortage of creative genius and innovation in the surviving artifacts from "Tron." Discover an iconic set piece in need of restoration at the Walt Disney Archives. Join actor Bruce Boxleitner as he reunites with his costume from the film. Watch the futuristic concept artist Syd Mead take a look back at the designs that defined a new generation of filmmaking. Meet digital effects pioneers Bill Kroyer, Richard Taylor, Jeffrey Kleiser, and Kenny Mirman as they discuss their groundbreaking computer-generated imagery techniques and walk through the process of overlaying film frames with digital and hand-drawn animation. Get a closer look at a jai alai scoop from the film at Prop Store where it's about to go up for auction. Visit the Walt Disney Archives with legendary matte painter Harrison Ellenshaw to see how he used an old film technique in this futuristic story. Meet "Tron: Legacy" producer Justin Springer to learn more about the enduring legacy of the film. Then, watch as Dan sits down with director Steven Lisberger to discuss the original identity disc.
Join movie prop collector Dan Lanigan as he examines Disney's first stop-motion animated feature Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" with masterminds and artisans from the film. Visit Fonco Studios where visual consultant Rick Heinrichs shows the original Jack Skellington maquette from the concept stage. Meet Danny Elfman, the film's composer and singing voice of Jack Skellington. Visit with Chris Sarandon who provided the speaking voice for Jack Skellington. Explore the depths of Jack Skellington with legendary stop-motion animator Tom St. Amand who crafted the armatures of many puppets used in the film. Watch as producer Kathleen Gavin reunites with set builder Fon Davis, and character fabricator Bonita DeCarlo to discuss their work and the pieces they saved from the film. Chat with screenwriter Caroline Thompson at the Writers Guild where her screenplay for the film is archived. Travel to San Francisco and sit down with director Henry Selick whose unique style brought Tim Burton's characters to life.
Embark on an island adventure with movie prop collector Dan Lanigan to discover how "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" was brought to life. Travel to St. Vincent, the island that serves as the Caribbean backdrop for many scenes in the film. Meet legendary costume designer Penny Rose. Visit Tony Swatton at his swordsmith shop where he crafted Jack Sparrow's sword. See early concept art and learn about the process of designing the iconic imagery for the film from concept artists Jim Byrkit and Crash McCreery. At the Walt Disney Archives, watch as model maker Don Bies reunites with a model miniature of one of Jack Sparrow's most treasured, yet elusive, possessions – the Black Pearl. Prepare to climb aboard and set sail on the real ship used in the film, and explore Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride in search of a prop from the film that may be hiding in plain sight.
Join movie prop collector Dan Lanigan at the Walt Disney Archives to examine the shrink-ray from the 1989 family favorite, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." Watch along as Dan discusses the film's centerpiece with director Joe Johnston and visits propmaker Brad Einhorn. Watch model maker and miniatures supervisor David Sosalla share a keepsake from the film, while actors Thomas Brown, Jared Rushton, and Amy O'Neill are reunited with the last remaining piece of their giant insect co-star. See renowned stop motion animator Phil Tippett demonstrate his craft, and sit down with comedy icon Rick Moranis who played eccentric scientist Wayne Szalinski.
Enter the wardrobe and be a part of this fantasy novel's journey from page to screen as movie prop collector Dan Lanigan examines some of the film's most memorable artifacts. Travel to San Diego Comic-Con and share a pair of swords with WETA Workshop founder Sir Richard Taylor. Examine the White Queen's sleigh with actor Kiran Shah. Uncover the details behind the movie's mythical creatures with fabrication department supervisor Beth Hathaway and ACADEMY AWARD® winning makeup effects artist Howard Berger. Visit the Walt Disney Archives with director Andrew Adamson to discuss the wardrobe and a Mr. Tumnus statue. See fellow collector Robb De Nicola's impressive display room filled with Narnia props, and witness an emotional reunion with the Pevensie siblings (Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, and William Moseley) and their most cherished props from the movie.
Watch film prop collector Dan Lanigan uncover the movie magic behind "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." Visit the home studio of Disney Legend Andreas Deja for a lesson on how animated characters were drawn over live-action frames. Examine concept art with Disney animators Chris Buck and Mike Giaimo and hear them describe Roger Rabbit's earliest days. Join Dan as he plays pattycake with the voice of Jessica Rabbit, actor Kathleen Turner, and gets a shave and a haircut with Christopher Lloyd. Watch along as stunt coordinator Charlie Croughwell makes a discovery in the desert while ACADEMY AWARD® winning mechanical effects supervisor George Gibbs demonstrates some of the inventive methods the film's effects team used to create the illusion of animated characters on a live set. Meet Charles Fleischer, the voice of Roger Rabbit, and learn his secret to interacting with his fellow actors from off-screen.
Come along for a road trip adventure with movie prop collector Dan Lanigan to discover the secrets of iconic props from "The Muppet Movie." Visit Jim Henson Studios for a chat with Chairman Brian Henson. Meet Drew Struzan, the painter responsible for the original movie poster, and learn about what goes into dressing fashion diva Miss Piggy with designers Calista Hendrickson and Amy Van Gilder. Travel to South Bend, Indiana with Dan and host/creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Joel Hodgson, to check out Fozzie Bear's one-of-a-kind automobile. In Portland, join the search for a missing prop that was believed to be lost to the sands of time. See The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY, and explore their extensive Henson exhibit. Back on the west coast, we join Dan for a chat with voice actor and puppeteer Dave Goelz, and make a rainbow connection with songwriter Paul Williams and Kermit's legendary banjo.