Movieland Wax Museum- Cleopatra

The Movieland Wax Museum tableau featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the movie Cleopatra was one of the most popular in the museum. Based on the price her figure went for, there is no doubt that she was truly one of the most popular stars of her era. Here we see her on the throne as Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. Although it took some time for this 1963 motion picture to recoup its $44 million budget, it did become a money maker for the studio.

Ms. Taylor looks older as a wax Cleopatra than she did in the film. This figure proves she was one of the "biggest" actresses at Movieland.

Richard Burton as Mark Antony. His figure played second fiddle to Taylor's for all of its Movieland run.

A clapboard sign detailing the actors and their film.

Elizabeth Taylor's wax figure sold at the Movieland auction for $25,000, while Burton's sold for a mere $5,000. The props sold for $1,500, and the set/stage sold for $200.

Tags: Movieland Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Elizabeth Taylor Richard Burton Cleopatra

Miami Wax Museum- Pope John XXIII and Cardinal Spellman

Popes are a favorite topic for wax museums. Even now, the San Francisco Wax Museum has a display featuring the current Pope and John Paul II. But way back when, the Miami Wax Museum had their own display. This shot shows Pope John XXIII of Italy, and New York's own Cardinal Spellman. These are high quality figures, and have very realistic features. Although their set is far too simple, (curtains often serve as the only backdrop for many wax museum displays) the detail in the figures makes up for it.

(1881-1963)

A close up of the Pope. As you can see, the figure is pretty high quality. The dark circles around the eyes are especially good. Angelo Roncalli became Pope John XXIII in 1958

(1889-1967)

And here's a shot of Cardinal Francis Spellman. He became Cardinal in 1946, and served as such until his death. It's funny that the two are together in this tableau, seeing as he is believed to have not liked Pope John XXII.

Tags: Miami Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Cardinal Spellman Pope John

News- Cameron Diaz at Madame Tussaud's

Along with a Drew Barrymore figure, Madame Tussaud's of London debuted a brand new Cameron Diaz wax figure. She is also sitting in a director's chair with a huge smile on her face. They really did a terrific job recreating her likeness. This shot shows her in front of the Hollywood sign, apparently waiting to be called to set.

I'm not sure how much make-up she needs, but here she is having it applied by a make-up artist in pink.

A close up of the figure. They really hit the bulls eye with her very large smile.

Diaz sits next to Barrymore in this shot. Will they always remain together? And where is Lucy Liu? she would make the set complete.

Another view of the figure.

Both figures need a touch up apparently.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's London website here.

Tags: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum Wax Figure Cameron Diaz

News- Drew Barrymore at Madame Tussaud's

This week, Madame Tussaud's of London unveiled two new figures of Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. Here we see Ms. Barrymore's figure sitting in her Director's chair. The figure isn't quite as good as some of Tussaud's other recent figures, but does resemble her somewhat.

Ms. Barrymore having her make-up applied.

A close up of the figure.

Drew Barrymore's figure sits beside Cameron Diaz's figure.

Another look at the waxwork. They did capture her giddiness.

Both figures with their make-up artists.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's London website here.

Tags: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum Wax Figure Drew Barrymore

Calico Ghost Town- Dentist

Just like Knott's Berry Farm, Calico Ghost Town in Yermo California houses some great peek-in scenes. However, they are not quite as whimsical as some of the Knott's ones. They do have some humor, as today's post shows, but their main focus is informing visitors about they way things were during Calico's boom years.

Here we see the town dentist in what appears to be a tough situation. The dentist drill is of the midieval variety, and I would hate to be the man in the chair.

Here is a better shot of the drill. We complain about going to the dentist today, but there's no doubt which era of dentistry I'd rather be in.

The dentist doesn't look too confident in his tools, and doubt his ability is much greater.

How could he do well when his glasses are broken.

Poor, poor, poor old miner. Although these two guys arn't true wax figures, they do have the same spirit and intent as a regular wax museum would.

Visit the Calico Ghost Town website here.

Tags: Calico Ghost Town Wax Figure Dentist

Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum- Exterior Pt 2

As I continue with the exterior of the Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum, this picture shows the small area that the museum has to draw visitors in. There's no lack of signs pointing to the entrance, and the signs that don't name the museum display facts about what there is to see.

This sign at the top of the stairs is typical of the signage around the museum.

More signs detailing just what you are about to view inside.

Another set of signs on the opposite side.

From near the ticket booth, the wax figures sit and stand in front of the red elevator.

Another view of the two standing figures. The woman with flowers, and the fisherman remind visitors of Monterey's past.

Visit Steinbeck's Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum's website here.

Tags: John Steinbeck Wax Museum Figure Cannery Row Monterey

News- Susan Lucci Premiers at Madame Tussaud's

While the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Washington D.C. was busy unveiling their new Barack Obama figure, the New York museum was debuting a waxwork of their own. This week, a brand new Susan Lucci figure premiered with slightly more fanfare than Mr. Obama's did. Here we see the figure standing alone, and just as with most Madame Tussaud's figures, they did a terrific job recreating her likeness.

Will the real Susan Lucci please stand- er sit down.

The skin tone is just slightly different. Other than that, they are really close.

Here's Susan, and hubby, and Susan.

If they only had two identical dresses, then the illusion would be even more realistic.

Susan seems to be having a great time in the spotlight.

Learn more about Susan Lucci here.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's New York website here.

Tags: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Susan Lucci

News- Obama Elected to Madame Tussaud's

Madame Tussaud's D.C. this week unveiled their wax version of Barack Obama. They have caused quite a controversy, since the figure is standing behind the desk in the Oval Office, and Hillary Clinton is off to the side.

Another view of the politician. It's so amazing how realistic they can make these figures.

Here's a video of the unveiling.

Visit the Madame Tussaud's D.C. website here.

Tags: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Wax Figure Wax Barack Obama

Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum- Exterior Pt 1

700 Cannery Row, Monterey CA, 93940

Somewhat hidden in Cannery Row is the wonderfully entertaining Steinbeck's Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum. Spanning far more than twentieth Century Monterey, the museum highlights the peninsula's first inhabitants, as well as the Spanish discovery. The experience is more of a guided tour of Monterey's history, than it is a typical wax museum. Every scene is narrated by "Steinbeck" himself, and guests must wait for the tour to begin. Each scene is then illuminated as Steinbeck speaks, and certain figures are highlighted during the narration. One must keep up with this narration, or else lose his place in the story of Monterey.

The exterior of the museum is elaborately decorated, and gives guests a sneak peek at a few figures. As expected, the exterior focuses on Monterey's fishing and canning history. These figures are only a sample of the many characters that once called Monterey home.

From the other side, we see the three figure's who greet guests. The sound of water flowing, as well as the wax museum's informative spiel, plays continuously in the area.

A cigarette, and a jug are this man's two best friends.

The fisherman stands, guarding his catch.

A close up of the fisherman. Great detail in his face shows just how hard it was to live in Monterey back then.

Visit Steinbeck's Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum's website here.

Tags: John Steinbeck Wax Museum Figure Cannery Row Monterey

Movieland Wax Museum- Animal Crackers New Home pt 2

In my last post, I shared with everyone what happened to the Marx Brothers set after the Movieland Wax Museum closed its doors in 2005. Blog Reader Bill took great care to carefully reassemble the set in a room at his house. But the figures were nowhere to be found. Nobody had a chance to bid on them because they were never up for sale. Instead, the figures seemed to have found their way up north to San Francisco. In this photo, we can see that they are now housed in a much smaller space that has fall less theming. In fairness, the San Francisco Wax Museum does its best with the limited space they have.

Chico sits just as he had the previous four decades in Buena Park. Notice the Clapboard sign that is a reminder of Movieland.

Groucho stands without his cigar. Bill found it with the golf clubs he purchased as part of the set.

Up on the piano, Harpo plays his "violin".

A close up of the silent one. The Animals Crackers figures are just a few of the old Movieland figures that found a new home in San Francisco.

Visit the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf website here.

Tags: San Francisco Wax Museum Figure Movieland Marx Brothers