Neglected props of MGM

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Does anyone think the park should maintain a good show for some of the movie props that are within the Backlot Tour and Backlot Express?

This past october I went into Backlot Express which I've never been into and was looking around. After I ate I saw the Toon Patrol's Paddy Wagon from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" I was really excited to see this.....But, when I got pretty close to it paint was chipped off and spider webs were inside. Also The steamroller which was a part of the old ACME warehouse store that had many Roger Rabbit stuff is now a vehichle that sits out on the Tour...even sadder is the chunks of cement they negelectedly never scraped off is still on.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

That is awfully ad.

 

[Mecha Figment]

I haven't done the back lot tour since 89 i believe. are the Flight of the navigator ships still sitting back there rusting?

 

[wannab@dis]

umm... it's called a "boneyard" for a reason...

 

[TheBeatles]

As a Star Wars fan...
Its horrible to see the snowspeeder and sailbarge sitting back there and going to crap. I remember when those were in front of Star Tours. I also believe there was a rebel pilot costume. Maybe this was not a real prop, but the Darth Vader that used to be in the exit of Star Tours has been gone for a while. Was that real?

 

[mousermerf]

Things in boneyards decay until finally thrown out or rehabbed and reused. Some props are "interesting" for various reasons and end up imoortalized in pretty glass boxes, but most things from productions end up in the junk heaps waiting to be reused or tossed. It is far from a tradgedy.

 

[adamthegetupkid]

When you are entering RnRc, the Gibson Les Paul behind the glass. I get shudders just thinking about that. I can only imagine what it would be like to play a guitar like that. Or, to be able to play some of the guitars inside the recording studio. I say this while I hold my hand to my forehead and say "Wait a minute, I love that idea..." (such great acting by Steven Tyler isn't it?)

 

[DisneyFreak529]

umm... it's called a "boneyard" for a reason...

I totally agree, Yes I think they should dust the spider webs off every once in a while. Lets remember not every little or big movie prop can be in a nice place under glass were every one can enjoy. They would run out of room if they did that. I do think that the backlot tour needs some new props to look at, I mean come one they are the same old things..... flight of the navagator..... Star Wars ship.... They needs new stuff.! Even new houses in the little neigborhood, some kids don't even know who the, "Golden Girls" are.

 

[rainfully]

I totally agree, Yes I think they should dust the spider webs off every once in a while. Lets remember not every little or big movie prop can be in a nice place under glass were every one can enjoy. They would run out of room if they did that. I do think that the backlot tour needs some new props to look at, I mean come one they are the same old things..... flight of the navagator..... Star Wars ship.... They needs new stuff.! Even new houses in the little neigborhood, some kids don't even know who the, "Golden Girls" are.

Actually, there won't be any updates of the houses, because they're all gone. They tore down the neighborhood when they put in LMAX.

 

[Master Yoda]

Ironically a decaying and neglected bone yard is accurate to a real bone yard at a movie studio. A few props will be saved and maintained in pristine condition but the majority of movie props go straight to a dumpster when shooting is finished. When examined closely most props are not well made or even attractive. The serve a very limited purpose and it is not necessary to make them durable or to even keep them around.
As a Star Wars fan myself it does pain me to see the skiff and the snow speeder decaying like they are but at least they are still there. The majority of Star Wars sets and props were trashed literally minuets after shooting was complete.
Personally I think the studios are sitting on an untapped gold mine. How much do you think the Mufstar model or Yoda's chair would of fetched on e-bay. I can only hope one day the the studios will realize this and start selling these items to the general public.

 

[DisJosh]

I totally agree, Yes I think they should dust the spider webs off every once in a while. Lets remember not every little or big movie prop can be in a nice place under glass were every one can enjoy. They would run out of room if they did that. I do think that the backlot tour needs some new props to look at, I mean come one they are the same old things..... flight of the navagator..... Star Wars ship.... They needs new stuff.! Even new houses in the little neigborhood, some kids don't even know who the, "Golden Girls" are.

If the houses on Residential St. were still there, there would be no point in adding new ones. The houses there were used in actual productions. They weren't just for the backlot tour. They were built in those spots and used as actual facades for movies and television shows. When they were last standing, I'm pretty sure Disney MGM Studios had already ceased being an actual working studio. Except on occasion.

That being said...

Residential St. was plowed over a couple years ago to make way for LMAX as someone already mentioned.

 

[DisneyFreak529]

Residential St. was plowed over a couple years ago to make way for LMAX as someone already mentioned.

I had no idea Residential street was torn down? Last time I went to WDW Feb03 it was still there. My bad sorry! :wave:

 

[1disneydood]

If they paid me enough (which I know they won't), I'd restore most of the large props/ vehicles for everyone to appreciate. Thing is, I'm so a retentive on my work it'd take to long to do them all.

And yes, I'm confident I could do justice to the vehicles. I know what I'm doing when it comes to bodywork/ custom automotive work. :animwink:

 

[Master Yoda]

If they paid me enough (which I know they won't), I'd restore most of the large props/ vehicles for everyone to appreciate. Thing is, I'm so a retentive on my work it'd take to long to do them all.

And yes, I'm confident I could do justice to the vehicles. I know what I'm doing when it comes to bodywork/ custom automotive work. :animwink:

I'll make sure I get a hold of you if I can talk some sense into this guy with a 57 Chevy for sale.

 

[monorailmike]

I am bummed to hear about the Star Wars vehicles going to pot. I am also a fan of Blade Runner and am saddened to see those cars wasting away with each passing visit.

 

[Frank Stallone]

this thread amuses me...

Last May, I wrote my initials in the dust on one of the cars in the first boneyard, so it was clearly visible. I did it just to prove how long something like that would go unnoticed by the eyes that should have removed it.

It was still there in early January, but was gone when I went back in May.

Side note: One of the other cars had "wash me" written on it, but that was taken away much earlier.

Side note #2: One of the cars still says "vote for pedro" on the front left fender, as of two weeks ago.

 

[DisneySam]

Last time I rode the tour...summer 2003 I think...it was pretty pointless. The Golden Girls house/ Neighborhood was not there, I don't remember the Star Wars props there either, which sucks I would have LOOOOVED to see them! [BTW I think the Darth Vader is at the AFI museum at the end of the ride/ the classic movie shop as I like to call it]. It was just basically Catastrophe Canyon. It really is a waste that they are letting the props just rot away. I did see in August the Roger Rabbit Toon Patrol car and it looked pretty bad. It really is a shame I was like all excited [because I had never seen it/ didn't know they had it] and the kids at the surrounding tables didn't even notice it was there. Bummer.

DisneyDood I will help with the restoration, just let me know