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“Made From Kitchen Sponges”: 64 Movie Props That Prove Filmmaking Is Full Of Pleasant Surprises
When watching a film, we often focus on the actors, the story, the dialogue, the cinematography, and any special effects. Unless they are elaborate or steal a scene, props can quietly blend into the background, even though they may have required creativity and craftsmanship.
This list should change that perspective. Here are photos of props from some of your favorite films, along with their fascinating backstories. They should provide some insight into how these set pieces came to be.
Enjoy scrolling through, and as always, don’t forget to upvote your favorites!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
In Coraline (2009) The Crew Spent 800 Hours Painting 250,000 Pieces Of Popcorn—Pink On The Outside, Red On The Kernel—To Stand In As Blossoms For The Nearly 70 Trees
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#2
In An Episode Of Mutant X, Jesse Uses A Familiar Looking “Device.” It Looks Like A High Tech Gadget With Buttons, But I Recognized It As The Eyeshadow Compact I’ve Had Since High School
#3
In Dunkirk (2017), Christopher Nolan Used Eleven "Little Boats" That Actually Took Part In The Real-Life Dunkirk Evacuation In 1940, Saving The Lives Of Countless Soldiers
Huddo's sister 1 day ago
I have heard that a lot of people claim their boats (or boats in museums now) were at Dunkirk, but most are unverified
#5
Young Frankenstein (1974) Reuses Many Lab Props From Frankenstein (1931)
Vexed Panda 1 day ago
Mel Brooks had them on an archeological dig to locate them when he found out they still existed but nobody was sure where they'd been stored.
#7
This Transmitter That Cracks Access Codes In Resident Evil (2002) Is A Glucose Meter With An Antenna
#8
Prop: In Phantom Menace, Qui Gonn’s Comlink Is A Gillette Women’s Razor
#9
This Tool In The Book Of Boba Fett Is The Same Torch I Have
Joe Methuen 1 day ago
I saw this and thought "That's a torch. I want one!". Then I realized it's a flashlight. Sorry, dumb American here.
#10
The Chest Thing The First Order Officer Wears In The Kyle Ren Snl Sketch Is A Pack Of Gum
#11
The Muzzle On Max In The Opening Of “Fury Road” Is A Garden Fork Without The Handle. It Works For The Style Of The Wasteland, Where Everything Is Recycled
#12
The Expanse [2018]. The Cryo Chamber Used For Mei Is A Repurposed Thule 624 Cargo Box
#13
I Present To You: Willrow Hoods AKA Ice Cream Man From Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back In The Background Of Cloud City. He Carries A Completely Undecorared Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker. This Previously Unnamed Character Has Spawned A Cult Following, Leading To Books, Comics, And Fan Lore
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 day ago
When you have to escape with no time to pack, you grab the most precious item you can find.
#14
60s Batman’s Utility Belt Pouches Were Sometimes Made From Kitchen Sponges
Howl's sleeping castle 1 day ago
Every new info shared about this movie, supports the 'joke' that it was made with a budget of $50
#15
That’s An Escalator
#16
Long Lost Hungarian Masterpiece Was Accidentally Found In The Background Of The Movie Stewart Little. “Sleeping Lady With Black Vase” By Robert Bereny
#17
Wall Panels On The UK Game Show “Crystal Maze” Are Presswood Shipping Pallets Sprayed Silver
Wonky Donkey 1 day ago
That's the reboot of Crystal Maze. The 90s version hosted by Richard O'Brien was the best.
#20
In The End Credit Scene Of Guardians Of The Galaxy, Taneleer Tivan (The Collector) Drinks His Martini From An Alessi ‘Big Love’ Ice Cream Bowl
#21
Batman’s Boots In Batman Returns Are Just Air Jordan 6s With An Extended Top And Foam Glued On. The Sole Even Still Has The Jordan Logo
#22
The 1982 Movie Poltergeist Used Real Skeletons As Props Because They Were Cheaper Than Plastic Skeletons
Fynnik 1 day ago
In the 50’s when my parents married, dad was training to be a doctor. He had a real skeleton to help with his studies. It was only after they had been living in their new house for a year that he realised that the dog was taking the odd bone and burying it in the garden. We’re still waiting for the news that remains have been found and it’s very weird that they’re fully articulated with wire.Also slightly gnawed.
#23
In Moulin Rouge (2001), A Fake Necklace Was Used For The Scene Where The Duke Rips It From Satine’s Neck. It Had A Magnetic Clasp So It Would Come Away Without Hurting Nicole Kidman’s Neck. The Real Necklace Is Worth $3 Million
#24
The Flight Sticks In The Razor Crest’s Cockpit From The Mandalorian Are Thrustmaster T.16000m Fcses
#25
Cpt. Picard With What Looks To Be A Box Cutter
#26
The Child In The Mandalorian Is In A Us Military Mermite Can With A Some Lights Glued On Front
#28
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) The Snow Speeder Pilot Straps Have Bubble Wrap On Them
#29
The “Gps Transponders” Carried By Faraday And His Science Team On Lost Are Multi-Function Emergency Car Tools
#30
One Of Young Anakin’s Tools Is A Silver-Painted Dog Toy That I Own
#31
Tenet (2020): Christopher Nolan Really Crashed A Boeing 747
Beak Hookage 1 day ago
Reminds me of the joke about how if Nolan ever made a horror movie he'd summon up real demons from Hell and teach them how to act.
#33
That’s An Echo Mic
#40
To This Day I Think About The Seashell E-Reader In It Follows
#41
A Prop Of The Loch Ness Monster From 'The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes' Was Discovered After 50 Years... In Loch Ness
#42
The Cowardly Lion Costume From ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ (1939) Was Made From Real Lion Pelts
#45
In Godfather Movie, They Used Real Horse Cut Head
Beak Hookage 1 day ago
They got it off a horse that had to be put down; it wasn't decapitated purely for the movie's sake.
#46
My Thumb Drive Made It Into The Video Game Call Of Duty Modern Warfare! Had To Call My Mom And Tell Her Right Away
#51
In Pinocchio (2022) Honest John's Fit Is Just As Deceiving As He Is. His "Cloak" Is A Shower Curtain, The Cuffs Of His Sleeves Are Doilies, And The "Buttons" He Wears On His Shirt Are Coins
#52
Sharpay’s Locker In High School Musical 3
#53
Pretty Woman (1990) In The Film, Edward Gives Vivian A Stunning Diamond And Ruby Necklace To Wear Out To Dinner. When He Presents It To Her, He Jokingly Snaps Her Hand With The Box. This Was Actually A Scene Improvised By Gere, And Roberts’s Reaction Was Totally Spontaneous
#55
Hannah Montana Closet Is Still On My List
#56
This Hamburger Phone In Juno (2007)
#57
Don’t Forget The Phone From Cat In The Hat
#58
Spencer Shay’s Sculptures
#63
London’s Mirror In Suite Life Of Zack & Cody & Jenna Rink’s Shoe Shelf (Entire Closet) In 13 Going On 30
#64
Teddy Duncan’s Platform Bed
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What do you think ?
Beak Hookage 1 day ago
In "Hulk" the protagonist hastily swallows a USB drive so he won't lose it when he Hulks out. Later on he barfs it up again and it's fine. My dad owns the exact same USB drive and it went through the laundry in his pocket. I found it in the bottom of the washing machine and found it still functioned fine, which was proof enough to me that you could actually do this.
Auntriarch 1 day ago (edited)
I am tickled by the fact that the spammer following your comment is named Ferrigno
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Ace 1 day ago (edited)
Some of the outright best make-do costumes, not mentioned here, are from Dr Who, through the 1970s and 80s. The original Cybermen costumes used wellington boots, spray-painted silver, for example. And I swear that at some point later in the 1970s they, or another character, used Derri Boots, popular among motorcyclists of the time (can't find a reference thought). Edit: I was wrong, t some point they used Tecnica Moon Boots, still to be found on ( or just off) Alpine ski slopes will into the 1990s and beyond.
Apocalyptic Excavator 1 day ago
Yes, but it was done on purpose and tongue-in-cheek. The whole series was supposed to look cheap and badly made, it was a part of the appeal. I find everyday life objects turned unrecognizable much more impressive.
Load More Replies... Beak Hookage 1 day ago
In "Hulk" the protagonist hastily swallows a USB drive so he won't lose it when he Hulks out. Later on he barfs it up again and it's fine. My dad owns the exact same USB drive and it went through the laundry in his pocket. I found it in the bottom of the washing machine and found it still functioned fine, which was proof enough to me that you could actually do this.
Auntriarch 1 day ago (edited)
I am tickled by the fact that the spammer following your comment is named Ferrigno
Load More Replies... Ace 1 day ago (edited)
Some of the outright best make-do costumes, not mentioned here, are from Dr Who, through the 1970s and 80s. The original Cybermen costumes used wellington boots, spray-painted silver, for example. And I swear that at some point later in the 1970s they, or another character, used Derri Boots, popular among motorcyclists of the time (can't find a reference thought). Edit: I was wrong, t some point they used Tecnica Moon Boots, still to be found on ( or just off) Alpine ski slopes will into the 1990s and beyond.
Apocalyptic Excavator 1 day ago
Yes, but it was done on purpose and tongue-in-cheek. The whole series was supposed to look cheap and badly made, it was a part of the appeal. I find everyday life objects turned unrecognizable much more impressive.
Load More Replies...
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