Saturday, March 7, 2020

It's Alive! - Part II

More fun from the It's Alive exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art.

This replica figure was created in 2011 but is wearing an original collar by Paul Blaisdell for Invasion of the Saucer Men, 1957.
Art Director, Robert Kallis of American International Pictures, and his team would create film titles and complementing artwork, occasionally sending them to movie studios. If the studios were excited by what they saw, they created a movie around it. I think this explains why some of the movies were wacky!


Costumes have come a long way over the decades! This green number was from Invaders From Mars, 1953.

Worn by a 7 foot actor made for an imposing figure.

When I first caught a glimpse of this Frankenstein toy I thought "Oops, his pants fell down".

Blushing Frankenstein, Lewis Galoob Company, 1960s

Apparently that is what is supposed to happen!


Here we have the Great Garloo.

The Great Garloo, Louis Marx and Company, c. 1961

Toys for the mellow child like myself. Puzzles and paint by numbers.


Dracula Paint by Numbers, A.A. Gaffney and Sons, 1960s

This Zapatron Prop was used in mad scientists labs to create cool crackling and lightening effects.

Zapatron, Kenneth Strickfaden, mid 20th century
Bela Legosi's jacket and vest from White Zombie, 1932. The silicone figure was created by Mike Hill in 2010.
Below is Boris Karloff's suit from The Black Cat, 1934. Edgar Ulmer, the director, wanted Karloff for this film but had a feeling he would not want the role since it was sadistic. However he was able to lure him in with his stylishly designed fashions for the character. This silicone figure was also created by Mike Hill.


This gorgeous artwork is Dracula Meets the Wolf Man by Frank Frazetta, 1966.


Horror is not my favorite genre since I watched too many scary films at inappropriately young ages. One being The Shining. I never expected to ever see Jack's ax in my lifetime but here it is! Made of foam, metallized sheeting, foil tape and wood grain paint, it was lightweight so it could easily be swung in mad ways to scare the audience.


Some of Kirk Hammett's guitars are also on display. These custom lovelies were created by the ESP Custom Shop in Japan. The artwork featured is from the amazing posters.

Part of the exhibit allows those musically inclined to play 1 of 2 of Hammett's guitars in the museum auditorium for just $5.

Due to the exhibit's connection with music, here is one of my favorite haunting Metallica tunes. Hammett's guitar playing in the beginning came to mind while enjoying the exhibit.


Leaving you with this photo taken while strolling through Soda City that day. Perhaps the most adorable canine outfit ever made, overalls.

If you go, located at 
1515 Main Street
Columbia, SC
open daily 10am - 5pm (closed Mondays)
general admissions is $10 ($5 during Soda City Market on Saturdays)
Exhibit runs thru May 17, 2020.

Thank you for stopping by! ~Val 

26 comments:

  1. Fascinating! Especially the axe from The Shining. Very cool!

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  2. Thanks for the tour, Val. This is a whole world about which I know nothing. I would imagine that parents looking for ideas for Halloween costumes could have a field day here!

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    1. It really is a perfect exhibit for Halloween ideas! Although I am not into horror or sci-fi myself I found the exhibit very entertaining for its film and cultural history.

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  3. Beautiful art and pieces right there.Thank you for this colorful post with lots of historical exhibits.

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  4. i would totally enjoy visiting this museum. The wolfman and dracula - ...love it.

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  5. Dracula looks real!
    Oh, the doggy's outfit is so cute!

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    1. The dog was so cute to watch since he was strutting his stuff and he knew people were watching him.

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  6. Its a Alive, so funny but so cool. What a great exhibit to attend. Thanks for sharing : )

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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    1. It really is quirky and fun! I hope it makes its way to you Allie!

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  7. This is SUCH a cool exhibit! I love the sculptures and the interesting ephemera. I'd love this one.

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    1. It is a great exhibit even for someone who may not be a fan of the genres or classic films!

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  8. Really enjoyed your photographs, this looks a great exhibit.

    All the best Jan

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  9. toys and customs are unique and antique….
    yes, dogs outfits are adorable....love it.

    Have a wonderful spring

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  10. Um, not my taste in exhibitions but glad you had a good time! Dogs are cute ;-)

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    1. The dogs at the weekly market are so cute and well behaved! :)

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  11. What a cool tour Val! I think Soda City is canceled for the rest of the month because of the Coronavirus concerns. I think that's what I heard on the news tonight.

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    1. I will have to check out the local news. We were planning on going to an art crawl in Cottontown this weekend. I hope that it still happening. It is getting scary out there.

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  12. So cool!! Especially the axe from The Shining!! Wow!! Big Hugs!

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Thank you for stopping by! I love reading visitor comments! ~Val