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Forbidden Planet Crewman Strong (James Drury) Rigged Starship Costume

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Forbidden Planet Crewman Strong (James Drury) Rigged Starship Costume
Forbidden Planet Crewman Strong (James Drury) Rigged Starship Costume - "Forbidden Planet" (1956) is the beloved classic movie that first and forever gave Sci-fi respectability and influenced generations of future filmmakers such as Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, Stephen Spielberg, Gene Roddenberry and James Cameron. Producer Dory Schary, who soon became the head of MGM wanted to make something special. Starting with a grand foundation, Shakespeare "The Tempest", he crafted a film like no other ever seen. Bringing in top talents, everything about the film broke new ground. An intelligent exciting script, amazing special effects, stunning sets, and even the world's first totally electronic film score. In the 23rd Century the Starship C-57D lands on the planet Altair IV to find out what happened to an expedition that disappeared over 20 years ago. The crew headed by Leslie Nielsen (Playing Commander Adams), and such future stars as Earl Holliman, Jack Kelly, and James Drury must fight against a mysterious invisible monster. In one of the most stunning key sequences, Commander Adams orders a force Field fence to be put around their starship, which allows them to "see" the invisible monster. However their weapons have no effect on the monster who kills three of their crew members in the battle. Among those killed is Crewman Strong (James Drury), who is thrown against the mountain by the force of the monster. This is a truly rare and extremely special treasured piece of "Forbidden Planet" memorabilia. Worn by James Drury (who was to go on to a successful career best known in Movie and TV Westerns such as "Ride the High Country", and "The Virginian"). This is his actual screen worn C-57D Crew Jacket and Pants uniform from this battle sequence. What makes it even more special is that the jacket shows signs where it was rigged by special wires to pull actor Drury violently across the screen to simulate the force of the monster. Four reinforced wholes have been created in the back of the jacket, one under the back collar, two more at the base of the back, and a forth at the bottom, so that the wires could go through the uniform and into a rig that Drury wore under the jacket. To hold him through the powerful pull an additional flap has also been installed from the front to the back bottom of the jacket, and held by hooks and loops to secure Drury to the jacket. The uniform also includes the matching uniform pants with elastic cuffs. Both the jacket and the pants have the original Metro Goldwyn Mayer labels with "J. Drury" and the original inventory number written in black ink (the ink printing on the jacket is faded, but is very visible in the pant's label). The pants also include the original orange MGM wardrobe property tag. These crew uniforms are one of the most iconic and recognizable in Sci-Fi film history. MGM loaned out these special uniforms, as well as many of the sets, to be used in the low-budget "Queen of Outer Space" two years later starring Zsa Zsa Gabor. This so upset Stanley Kubrick who loved "Forbidden Planet", and especially the sets and costumes, that when he made his classic "2001" for MGM ten years later he made sure to have as many of his costumes and sets destroyed after production so they wouldn't see the same fate! that is how much he cared about the "Forbidden Planet"! This extremely rare costume set comes from the celebrated collection of Jerry Neeley, well-known film historian, writer, collector and owner of the famous "Jerry's Video" in Los Feliz, CA. Customers, collectors and throngs of famous directors, writers and industry people would come from around the world to talk to Jerry, whose knowledge and memory were encyclopedic and also visit his collection. It also includes a photo of Jerry wearing the outfit next to the original "Robby the Robot" from the production and also includes a Letter of Provenience from Jerry Neeley's widow and co-owner of his various video and memorabilia shops. The costume is in excellent condition. Note that the special filters and MGM's Eastman Color Lap work gives the costume an "otherworldly" blue glow on screen.