Disneyland- Tarzan's Treehouse pt 3

Here's the lovely couple now. Jane is sketching the ape man, while he seems to be concentrating on how wonderful he thinks Jane is. The big sketchbook in the center of the picture draws the sketches sort of like an Etch A Sketch does.

A close up of Jane. She looks very much like the cartoon character she is. The Imaginears weren't going for realism on this attraction.

Freeze! Tarzan's figure looks pretty good. Nice detail in the feet and upper torso.

The book detailing this scene.

Find more information on Tarzan's Treehouse here.

Next time. . . Let's dance the Swisskapolka.

Tags: Disneyland Tarzan's Treehouse Adventureland Figures

Disneyland- Tarzan's Treehouse pt 2

The next room in the treehouse shows Kala as she begins taking care of Tarzan. I would have like it if there was some kind of movement to the figures, but I suppose that static scene gives us a freeze frame of the life of the characters.

Outside, in the trees, we hear baby Tarzan. His famous yell calls from the cradle.

Another book explaining the scene.

We see that they're watching TV. Actually, there's a couple of these screens in the attraction. They show drawings of the characters. That's where the motion is.

Find more information on Tarzan's Treehouse here.

Next time. . . Me Tarzan, you Jane.

Tags: Disneyland Tarzan's Treehouse Adventureland Figures

Disneyland- Tarzan's Treehouse pt 1

Although Disneyland is famous for their impressive attractions that take guests to other worlds using state of the art technology, some simpler attractions feel more like wax museum displays than thrill rides. Tarzan's Treehouse, for example, is a pleasant walk though attraction that offers guests a glimpse into the world of Edgar Rice Burrough's famous character. Each room in the house shows a loose recreation of a scene from the movie. The characters are more fiberglass than wax, but they do offer the same feel and atmosphere that one could find in a wax museum.

This book, as well as others, move the story along as guests walk through the treehouse.

Sabor not only scares visitors with his razor sharp teeth, but when people peek inside the room, he releases a loud roar. This effect always startles the young and old alike.

Find more information on Tarzan's Treehouse here.

Next time. . . more inside the treehouse.

Tags: Disneyland Tarzan's Treehouse Adventureland Figures

Palace of Living Art- The Three Graces

One tableau at the Palace of Living Art that surely must have caused much commotion was the display of the Three Graces. This former addition to the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park California housed many exotic, as well as thought provoking reproductions of famous artistic subjects. I'm not sure if this scene is reproducing a specific work, or since the Three Graces were a popular subject in Greek mythology, they created they're own version. There are many artistic visions of the Graces, and figures look like they come from a painting, so there is probably a specific work that they are based on.

A close up of the Three Graces; Aglaea, "Beauty", Euphrosyne "Mirth", and Thalia "Good Cheer". The Palace of Living Art closed in the early 1980's, and some of the figures moved to the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf in San Fransisco. Unfortunately, it is a smaller section than it was at Movieland, and the Three Graces are not there.

Visit the Palace of Living Art in San Fransisco here.

Tags: Palace of Living Art Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Three Graces

Movieland Wax Museum- The Lucy Show

A very simple display of Lucille Ball stands unassumingly off in a corner. I suppose the figure itself is the main focus of this set. It would have to be. Lucy was born in 1911 and died in 1989. She is definitely considered one of the greatest female comics of all time. Her career spanned decades and this redhead became the top draw on television. This figure honors the contribution she made to the fields of television and comedy.

A close up of the wonderfully sculpted Lucy figure. It looks as though she is ready to spend a night on the town, as she has her pocket book along to pay for all of it. Don't tell Ricky. Actually, the figure is supposed to represent her later series, The Lucy Show which ran from 1962-68.

A fairly dark picture of the clapboard sign shows information about when this three dimensional representation is supposed to take place. The Lucy figure was not sold at the auction, but the small set sold for $300.

View the filmography of Lucille Ball here.

Tags: Movieland Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Lucille Ball

Hollywood Wax Museum- Batman

Capitalizing on the first three Batman movies, the Hollywood Wax Museum has a display featuring the caped crusader along with three of his most popular villains. On the bed, flaunting her sensuality, is Michelle Pfeiffer as the Catwoman. While her reluctant movie partner the Penguin, played by Danny Devito, hides behind the bed.

Next to the bed is Jim Carrey as the Riddler. His question mark scepter serves as a reminder of his enigmatic personality.

Our hero himself emerges from out of the shadows, all too willing to save Gotham City from these fiendish foes.

With lights on, we see the Dark Knight in all his glory. Which actor is playing Bruce Wayne's alter ego? Michael Keaton, or George Clooney?


A close up of Catwoman.


And of the Penguin. He's perhaps the creepiest of all these movie villains.


And the least menacing? Bruce almighty he's expressive!

Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum's website here.

Tags: Hollywood Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Batman Catwoman Penguin Riddler

Paris Spectacular Wax Museum- Joan of Arc at the Stake

This French Heroine was born in Dompremy in 1492 in the land of Champagne and Lorraine. France was very unhappy. The English troops were constantly threatening, and they occupied Calais and were about to take foothold in that Kingdom, when Joan, inspired by God, leads her countrymen in defeating the invaders and driving them out of Orleans and other towns. This action enabled the French Dauphin to be crowned Charles VII in the Cathedral of Reims. But the following year the French were defeated by the English, and Joan was taken prisoner, declared heretical, and condemned to be burnt alive. She was lead to the stake in May 1431, and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1922.

Joan praying as she is about to be burnt alive.

Bald guy. Not sure what he is doing. He has no fire, so perhaps he's going to whack her on the head with his big cross.

View my previous post on Joan of Arc here.

Find information on Joan of Arc here.

Learn about the Seattle World's Fair here.

Tags: Paris Spectacular Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Joan of Arc World's Fair

Paris Hilton Jailbird Wax Figure at Madame Tussaud's

Earlier this week, Madame Tussaud's New York changed Paris Hilton's clothes to more accurately fit in with her new jail experience. This figure, which is not new, only newly redressed, is an obvious exploitation of someone else's rough situation. I don't know what to think about this one, but if she can profit off of her jail time, why not the museum.

So strange to see her in such a fashionable pose with this outfit.


a close up of the figure.


Is she supposed to be showing off her clothes?


Doesn't she know that horizontal stripes aren't flattering.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's New York website here.

Tags: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Paris Hilton Jail Release

Brand New Feature

I have been working on a new feature to Houses of Wax. It's called Houses of Wax Facts, and essentially it's a separate website that will give a brief history of the wax museums featured here. The main page will include a list of the wax museums, and links to information about them. I do not have every museum up yet, but many of the "important" ones are there. Each page will include an exterior picture (if possible), slogans, history, and any information I can find. This way I will be able to have all information about the museums in one place.

Visit Houses of Wax Facts here.

Tags: Houses of wax Waxworks Wax Museum