(January 8 1815)
Jackson standing with his folding spyglass, apparently enjoying the final major battle of the war.
For fun, here is the pile of round shot Cannonballs. I wonder how many it took to fend off the British?
This Movieland Wax Museum scene is from the Stan Laurel (1890-1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892-1957) film The Perfect Day. Next to them is Edgar Kennedy (1890-1948). The picture is a typical Laurel and Hardy film. They try to have a relaxing outing, but nothing goes according to plan and hilarity ensues. I've scene the picture, and I don't remember it having the car crash into a theatre. Although it has been years since I've watched it. With good lighting the figures look incredibly lifelike.
A close up of Laurel and Hardy. When the auction was held, two different figures were sold off in place of these two "original" figures. They took in $10,000! Not bad for replacement figures.
They Keystone cop that somehow does not pay attention to the car accident next to him. I do not know if he had always been part of the set. An old postcard I have does not show him in the scene. This figure sold for $1,500.
A close up of the figure shows his badge as Movieland Security Walter 2. He may be a tribute to the live Keystone cops the museum once had. They would pretend to be wax figures, then move and startle visitors. They also would perform magic tricks for guests.
The clapboard which shows information on the film. Laurel and Hardy are a popular choice for wax museum characters. The Edgar Kennedy figure sold at auction for $550. The Model Tee sold for $3,750. While the set sold for $1,500.
Disneyland is not the only amusement park in Southern California that overlays existing attractions for Christmas. Knott's "Merry" Farm has a Christmas version of their critically acclaimed Timber Mountain Log Ride. The attraction already has many figures throughout, and they add even more for Christmas. Elfs have overrun the mountain, and are spreading Christmas cheer. This shot shows three existing figures and the road sign to Mrs. Claus' kitchen.
This figure is a young logger. He is strong and able, and has no problem swinging along this log.
Not as young and vibrant, this guy prefers to stand and hold a rope. He looks like he has already paid his dues.
As promised, here is another shot from the National Wax Museum of Lancaster County Heritage. This scene, the Amish barn raising, is considered the highlight of the museum. Barn raising has been a tradition in the United States since the 18th Century. Nowadays, it is primarily used by the Amish community (Hence the inclusion in the Lancaster County museum). This scene displays so much of the action one would see in a traditional barn raising.
This gentleman is probably the crew chief. He most likely has the most experience at raising barns.
This man is log carrying guy. Someday, if he raises enough barns, he'll be able to be the big fat man on the box.
This is an interesting shot from the Louis Tussaud's London Wax Museum. I love it when wax museums have a regal and distinguished feel to them. It portrays the museum as serious and deserving of people's attention (which most are). I suppose this museum was attempting to establish itself as very British. I mean, it is a Tussaud's after all. The collection of figures was fairly diverse; from world leaders, to American history, to religion. That ship outside of the building is the worlds largest replica of the Queen Mary. From this far away it looks like a boat from Disneyland's Jungle Cruise.
Here is the sign outside of the building. The Big Ben design also reflects the English style of the museum. When the place was under the name of Josephine Tussaud's, the sign was similar yet slightly different.
This is a shot of Kystyne Kolorful, the world record holder for most tattooed woman. It is estimated that she has over 95% of her body covered. Some of the exhibits here at the museum are not quite up to date, and I do not know if the record still stands. It is reported that she shares the record with Julia Gnuse, and that they are tied in the percentage of coverage.
Kind of a strange figure. Not exactly wax, but still fits the category. Her hair is sort of strange, but it goes well with the rest of her style.
(1800-1859)
"They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew. . . "
"His soul goes marching on. . . "
Here is a picture of the Preying Mantis Manny from the movie A Bugs Life. several statues were added to the Bountiful Valley Farm section of Disney's California Adventure when it was believed that the area lacked theming. These figures are kind of cool looking. They're well detailed and people seem to enjoy them. They caught my eye back in 2003 when this picture was taken.
Madame Tussaud's London unveiled a Christina Aguilera figure on November 30th. Included with the figure is a set that is supposed to resemble the 1920's dressing room from her music video for the song "Ain’t No Other Man". I do like the wallpaper. It reminds me of the background wallpaper for a certain Wax Museum Blog.
Here's a close up of the former Mouseketeer.
Wow! Is she checking herself out in the mirror? What a shock! I suppose we caught her mid glance.
I guess she wanted to see how that Tattoo on her lower back looks. When you start looking like your drag queen impersonators its time to go home.
Here is are some cool shots of the wax figure of Tom Hanks from the motion picture Cast Away. This is the first scene you encounter once you enter the museum (there are a few different movies represented outside the museum). A pretty small set, it consists of the wax figure and sand. However, it is still pretty neat.
Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a Federal Express employee stranded on a tropical island. Unfortunately, there is no secret hatch on this island, or any smoke monsters, not even the DHARMA Initiative. But there is a volleyball named Wilson, and Chuck is so enthralled with it that he never moves his eyes off of it.
Tom Hanks, Born 1956, acting more like the title of his first movie He Knows You're Alone.
Never has an inanimate object gained so much stardom as Wilson did in this movie.
Our Gang is one of the most popular short film series of all time, and its characters are all just as famous. The scene here at the Movieland Wax Museum is from the 1938 film "The Awful Tooth". In this picture we see Alfalfa, Painless Parker, Darla, and Spanky. Some trouble appears to be brewing.
Another view shows Buckwheat, Pete the Dog, Alfalfa, and Painless Parker. This was a fairly large set with six figures. It had terrific lighting and great atmosphere.
This clapboard sign shows the movie as being from 1937, but all the resources I've used says that it is from 1938. I would say that they are correct and this sign is not accurate. Antique props from the set sold for $3200, and the set itself sold for $1200 at the infamous Movieland auction.
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, his figure sold at auction as part of a lot of five for $5000.
George "Spanky" McFarland, one fifth of the $5000.
Darla Hood doing her thing.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas and Pete the pup.
This might be Jack Norton as Painless Parker, also credited as Dr. Schultz at IMDB.com. His figure sold individually for $700.
(1890-1976)
A close up of Dame Agatha Christie shows her late in life.
Located in the Old Towne Mall in Torrance California, the Turn of the century Wax Museum featured over 35 scenes and 70 figures. The museum opened Thanksgiving week 1973 and closed some time after. This picture shows the Gibson Girl sitting at her window. A creation of the illustrator Charles Dana Gibson, and Known for their hour glass shape and big hair, Gibson Girls idealized beauty during the turn of the century. Today, perhaps the most famous Gibson girl is the Ice Cream Parlor at Disneyland's Main Street USA (at least it is for me).
The shot here shows the hard working Postal worker from the Knott's Berry Farm Ghost Town Post Office. He has been sorting mail for the past umpteenth years, and the poor guy has lost one of his much needed fingers. This scene is actually really neat looking, as are all of the "Peek-in" town displays.
This is the Post Office building's exterior. Sometimes you do not know if you are walking into a store, or one of the themed scenes. Although many of them do not actually have a door you can enter through.
Our Postal worker stands behind the counter waiting for someone, anyone to stop by and say hello.
(1890-1969)
The Hawaiian Wax Museum focused its collection on Hawaiian history from the early settlers (around 500 A.D) to annexation by the United States of America (1898).
(1967-2006)
Quite an unusual place, the Guinness World Records Museum in Hollywood houses several wax figures, and Michael Jackson just happens to be the very first one presented. Jackson holds quite a few world records in the music category. The museum shows many of his achievements; records sold, etc. Apparently, Michael Jackson was once very popular. Notice his strange outfit and its "Bad" belt buckle.
Another view shows Michael up close. This figure is not exactly the most recent "version" of Jackson, but represents perhaps the MJ that most people remember. He looks so confident and cool, not freaky and eccentric.
This vintage ad from 1978 previews the addition of the now famous Abominable Snowman who resides inside Disneyland's Matterhorn Mountain. Although not made of wax, Harold, as he is often referred as, is a beautifully designed figure. For nearly three decades He has been scaring unsuspecting guests who pass by in their bobsleds.
Here is the Yeti himself. Not the most animated animatronic ever built, but the addition of a strobe light helps create perceived motion. Basically, the effect tricks you into thinking more is going on than really is. Actually there are several Abominable Snowmen in the attraction, each with its own degree of fluidity.
Though he rarely leaves the mountain, here is a cast of a footprint "found" at the base of the south slope of the mountain.
And yet another footprint, this time from the North slope.