You might not recognize him with his shirt on, but this figure from the Hollywood Wax Museum is movie star Matthew McConaughey. This is the Hollywood gathering section of the museum, perhaps an awards show, or a movie premiere, and Mr. Maconahay stands ready to get his picture taken.
Another view of the figure.
Fantasy is an often overlooked subject for wax museums, and the genre has slowly been removed from most museums. However, here we see Alice in Wonderland represented at the Louis/Josephine Tussaud's London Wax Museum in St. Petersburg Florida.
The evil Queen of Hearts.
The King of Hearts along with the back of Alice's head. It's unfortunate that there's not more scenes like this around anymore.
This tableau from the Plymouth National Wax Museum shows the Pilgrims on their way to the new world. Before they celebrated their first thanksgiving, they had to withstand a grueling and deadly trip to America. Many people died, and their arrival only brought them new challenges.
A couple wax figures on the boat.
A few more reading the Bible.
An old woman and a child.
In this scene from the National Presidential Wax Museum, Presidents Martin Van Buren and John Q. Adams are attending a white house reception.
Here we see President Van Buren and his daughter in-law Angelica.
John Q. Adams with possibly Daniel Webster standing behind him.
One of my personal favorite tableaux from Movieland Wax Museum is this magnificent display of Gene Kelly from Singin' in the Rain. With actual water falling from the ceiling, the scene is far above most wax museum scenes. The famous song plays as people view the figure.
A shot with flash shows more detail, but has less atmosphere.
A close up of Mr. Kelly.
One of the ever present clapboard signs detailing information on the movie. Notice the sign says Singing not Singin'.
Here's an artist's rendition of the Williamsburg National Wax Museum building. Featuring over 40 scenes of American history, the museum focused on Colonial America.
This is the exterior of the drug store in Calico Ghost Town. Behind the windows lies a small scene of what a shop like this would have looked like back in the silver mining days.
This figure doesn't look much like a pharmacist. Perhaps he is waiting for his medicine.
A close up of the figure.
The medicine bottles sitting on the shelf.
Information on the drug stores in Calico.
Prices of medicine in Calico.
In the Falling Darkness, this young Greek hero wounded a hind with an arrow, and was stricken with grief when he realized what he had done. On the point of committing suicide, Cyparisse was saved by Apollo, who gave him the shape of the eternally green cypress tree. Ever since, the cypress has been symbolic of grief
(1712-1759)
In this shot of from the National Civil War Wax Museum, we see a typical scene of the American South before the Civil War. Slaves are picking cotton for the wealthy slave owners. The crop of cotton was a driving factor in the "need" for slaves, and the export and use of the material only drove the south further into the slave trade. As more territories became states, the balance of Slave and free states became harder to control.
Sitting at a table at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Las Vegas is Gerard Depardieu. The French actor has appeared in both English language and French films.
Another view of the actor.
And a close up of the figure's face.
I really like this image of the Musée Grévin in France. The architecture looks so Art Deco and European. Who would not want to enter this historical museum and see the wonders it holds. The entrance still looks similar today as it did in this photo, but the figures atop the balcony are gone and the facade has been painted.
Thanks to Purplepeanut for this shot of The Wizard of Oz from the Stars Over Gatlinburg Wax Museum. Just about every entertainment based wax museum has a Wizard of Oz display, and this one is no exception. The Scarecrow looks decent, but I have seen better Dorothys. We'll have more images from this museum soon.
(1412-1431)
A closer view of the figure.
(1912-1996)