Harrison Ford’s Blaster gun from “Blade Runner” was expected to fetch between $100-150,000. Its actual selling price of $270K almost doubled estimates.
The weapon was used by Ford in Ridley Scott’s epic cult classic sci-fi. Blade Runner employs the Blaster to take out “replicants,” futuristic humanoids intent on sabotaging humanity. The handgun was sold in 2012 at the Profiles in History auction. Private collector and television producer Dan Lanigan won the bid.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) - T-800 Robot: $488.75K
The chrome endoskeleton T-800 robot from the opening shots of “Terminator 2” sold for almost $500,000 at a Calabasas auction house in 2007.
An anonymous bidder via telephone offered more than four times the bid estimates. The legendary sci-fi robot was set to bid at $100,000. The T-800 sold for $488,750 at the Profiles in History auction in December of 2007.
The T-800 Endoskeleton
The Terminator robot is one of the most recognizable bundles of metal and circuitry known to the big screen. Few sci-fi movie props are more sought-after. Director James Cameron tapped Stan Winston Studio, his longtime collaborator, to design the T-800.
Made mostly of chrome-finished resin, movements are partially controlled by cable-controlled puppets. The eyes light up in red and are wired to a hidden switch.
The Blaster
The Blaster is also known as the LAPD 2019 Blaster or the PKD. It was created by prop manager Terry Lewis with specifications by Ridley Scott. Lewis had it built by a gunsmith who assembled a hybrid gun from the Steyr Mannlicher Model rifle and the Carter Arms Bulldog revolver.
Renowned Hollywood gunsmith Branko Wolfheart is credited for engineering the realistic-looking prop that we know as Blade Runner Decker’s trusty Blaster.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Cowardly Lion Costume: $3.1M
Dorothy's pal, the Cowardly Lion, has a special place in many hearts. But what most fans do not know is that the costumed actor Bert Lahr wore a lion costume. It weighed 60 pounds and was made from a lion’s pelt, real lion hair, and skin! A PETA atrocity, we hear the collective roar. Even the tail was real.
Needless to say, it was miserably uncomfortable. It was also unbearably hot. The mask precluded any eating. This actor could have used some workplace protections. It was a different time.