1/6 Hot Toys - MMS 279 - Star Wars Episode IV: 1/6th scale Darth Vader

[ajp4mgs]

Interesting. Can you get a larger picture of the one above, because the chest box looks different than the one posted earlier. Also those pics are taken at a different location judging from the background. Really strange to put a screen used outfit on in a parking lot or against a brick wall.

I just went thru the movie (Vader's opening scene and Leia torture) and for the life of me I can't see any ridged-frame around the green/red badge -- they look like very sharp, square raised blocks like all the other colored blocks on all the other badges worn by Imperials.

Not sure if this is what you were asking for, but I used my phone to get a closer shot of the photos on that page. Hope this helps.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Yes, thank you.

See, no "border" around that badges -- so this is a different chest box than the one cking posted.

The one above looks to be more accurate to the film version.


Both on Kermit, but both are not the same...





Authenticity is a *****.








I've been doing some reading and there is a history where they claim Kermit wore one of the screen used costumes. So perhaps its true.

But Kermit comes from Don Post studios. I got a Vader and Stormtrooper mask from Universal Studios in 77-78 and remember Don Post Studios bragging that these masks were pressed from the actual screen-used masks. Needless to say, even as a child, I could take one look at the mask and know it wasn't screen accurate no matter what they say.

I also found this online just now regarding where they got the mask: Don Post landed the license to do Star Wars masks. “One of the guys working in the lab, a guy by the name of Bob Short, came back from a trip over to Lucasfilm to get a sign-off on a [mask] sculpture. The mask sculpture -- a 'Don Post sculpture' clearly, so not "pressed from the original mask". So this is why I'm so cynical of people claiming authenticity.

 

[ajp4mgs]

See, no "border" around that badges -- so this is a different chest box than the one cking posted.

Actually, the border is there (on the red and green squares), but the image quality makes it tougher to see. If you focus on the red square (especially on the bottom photo of the two), you'll see the border. The squares are "raised" upon the underlying border.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I do see light catching something on top of the red -- but its not there on top of the green. Even if it is there, its much more flush on the cking image than on yours. So different.

Plus, the damage around the sides of the box is different. Pretty sure that's two different boxes. The image isn't that blurry.

Plus the 'border' around the 3 coin slots looks larger in the cking pic than it does in your pic.

 

[cking]

The photos of Kermit against the brick wall and other photos of Kermit are him wearing the actual, screen used, Dave Prowse costume. It's possible to match up paint chips and scratches on all of the components to scenes from the movie. That costume took a beating as filming progressed and you can actually see the chest box and belt boxes getting more scratched depending on what scene you look at (and of course, the sequence in which the scenes were filmed). Of course, there were promotional suits made afterwards but the photos of Kermit in the suit is absolutely the screen used suit.

Those two different photos are of the same chestbox, suit, belt. The whole ensemble. Just different lighting and photo quality playing tricks with your eyes.

 

[Wor-Gar]

The photos of Kermit against the brick wall and other photos of Kermit are him wearing the actual, screen used, Dave Prowse costume. It's possible to match up paint chips and scratches on all of the components to scenes from the movie. That costume took a beating as filming progressed and you can actually see the chest box and belt boxes getting more scratched depending on what scene you look at (and of course, the sequence in which the scenes were filmed). Of course, there were promotional suits made afterwards but the photos of Kermit in the suit is absolutely the screen used suit.

Why the two different boxes? They are different (see my post right above yours).

Perhaps Kermit wore a screen-used suit once -- I'm inclined to agree on the one ajp posted from the book.

But the pic you posted against the brick wall has that odd chest box. Could be a studio made 'touring costume' at that point.

 

[Supes78/Bats89]

I don't mean to interrupt the flow of the conversation, but I have a question for the experienced customizers:

How do you get Vader's headsculpt off without damaging it?

I'm afraid of applying too much pressure and cracking the plastic...

 

[cking]

Please look carefully. Here is another Kermit photo (wearing the actual screen used costume). Observe the weathering patterns at the bottom edge of the chestbox and compare it to the ANH Lobby Card showing Vader (Dave Prowse in costume) on the Tantive IV set. They are not two chestboxes. They are one and the same. Screen used.

Why the two different boxes? They are different (see my post right above yours).

Perhaps Kermit wore a screen-used suit once -- I'm inclined to agree on the one ajp posted from the book.

But the pic you posted against the brick wall has that odd chest box. Could be a studio made 'touring costume' at that point.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Those do look identical when it comes to the wear deco. Agreed. Thank you.

But I just can't make out that border around the badges... that's what throws it for me.

Is there a clear picture of the chest box from the movie anywhere that shows that border? Even HT made that border, so it must be there, I'd just like to see it. You must have a picture somewhere, Chris, I know you're the foremost authority on Vader. If anyone's going to have it, you would.

 

[cking]

I should also like to say that I have personally spoken to Rob Tharp who was an employee at Don Post Studios at the same time as Kermit. He took his own polaroid photos of Kermit getting suited up. I don't think these photos have ever been posted before but Rob Tharp scanned these in for me personally and he confirmed that it was indeed the actual suit used in the movie. The shorter guy wearing the standard Don Post mask is William Malone and that's Kermit next to him in the screen used helmet. Rob is the guy in the Karate tunic being throttled by "Vader". Enjoy.

 

[cking]

Here's a photo of the actual "real world" found part that they used for the buttons on the ANH chestbox. The border is the same colour as the rest of the button but Hot Toys got that wrong on their versions. The border shouldn't be black.

 

[SithThundercracker]

This thread suddenly turned to a goldmine.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Come on, Chris, don't hold out on me. I know you have an on-set picture of the Vader chest box that clearly shows the badges... you must. I need to see it.

Remember, I'm the guy who bought your original Indiana Jones figure that you made with Shawn at Sovereign Studios back in 2002. The one that started it all.

 

[rhboyd]

my mind is melting!!!!! this is ALL GOLD!!!!! MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!

 

[Lejuan]

I don't mean to interrupt the flow of the conversation, but I have a question for the experienced customizers:

How do you get Vader's headsculpt off without damaging it?

I'm afraid of applying too much pressure and cracking the plastic...

Check out Jazzinc’s YouTube tutorial. It’s a step-by-step to making a more screen accurate Vader. Sorry I can’t post the link right now but I think it’s an easy search.

 

[Wor-Gar]

This thread suddenly turned to a goldmine.

my mind is melting!!!!! this is ALL GOLD!!!!! MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!

We must get to the bottom of this mystery of mysteries on badge borders.... we MUST!

 

[ajp4mgs]

When it comes to on-screen views of the chest box, I'm thinking that the destruction of Alderaan would provide the best material when there are close-ups of Leia with Vader right behind her. I couldn't find a definitive view through image searches, but this grainy pic leads me to believe that someone who can get hi-def screen captures of that scene from the Blu-Ray would be able to provide the ultimate view of the chest box. I don't have that capability, though. Sorry.

 

[Wor-Gar]

That's a great idea...

So I have good news and bad news...


The good news is -- the original question was about the stud on the side belts attached to the box and I did find a frame:




You can see it hiding there. So there is evidence of the studs on the side belt. Yahoo!



Now... the Bad news... as you can see above -- I still don't see a border around the badges.


Going further to the scene you suggested:










Vader's box is so often in shadows but here, even with that hard rim light, there's no border catching a peep of light. It's just raised colored blocks.

I'm going to watch the scene right now on HD to be certain.



Here's one more look...

 

[dukefett]

I'm totally happy with what I have, but enjoying the read! I love all the old photos.

 

[cking]

I've presented you with very clear photos of the exact same "found" part that the costume builders simply glued onto the chestbox. There is a border but it's the same color as the rest of the button so that's why you can't see any difference on the screen shots. The Hot Toys sculpt is incorrect because they've added a black border at the base of the buttons. This was never there on the real chestbox. As I said (and showed very clearly), the border is the same color as the rest of the button because it is PART of the button itself.

Putting it into context, here's a photo of a talented prop makers replica chestbox that was assembled using the exact same "found" buttons that were used on the original prop.