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Three reference maquettes for Eddie Jessup's (William Hurt) devolved makeup from Ken Russell's Altered States. In the film's most memorable sequence, the camera traveled into psychophysiologist Jessup's throat as his experiments with deprivation tanks devolved him into a writhing, misshapen primordial creature.
Jessup's groundbreaking transformation was brought to life by legendary SFX makeup artist Dick Smith, whose work for the film earned him a prestigious Saturn Award® for Best Make-Up. These three hand-sculpted plaster maquettes - created as reference for the misshapen Jessup's makeup and later used to help get the film greenlit - originate from Smith's collection.
Each is textured to appear muscular and malformed and hand-painted to resemble bronze. Following production, one of the maquettes underwent sympathetic restoration to reattach its legs at the knee. The set shows evidence of wear consistent with handling and age, including green patina from oxidation. Dimensions: (largest) 13" x 7" x 8" (33 cm x 18 cm x 20.5 cm)
Estimate: $1,500 - 3,000
View all lots from ALTERED STATES (1980)
View all lots from Dick Smith Collection
Regarded as "The Godfather of Makeup," renowned special makeup effects artist and author Richard Emerson Smith, known professionally as Dick Smith, was a pre-med student at Yale University when he encountered the theatrical makeup book Paint, Powder and Makeup that changed the trajectory of his life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Smith began his illustrious career in television as the first makeup director of WNBC. Entirely self-taught, Smith pioneered the development of prosthetic and practical makeup with techniques that are now considered the standard in film and television, such as making prosthetics in multiple pieces to allow actors full range of facial expression. He is also credited with creating realistic age makeup as an alternative to prosthetics, blending special effects with hidden bladders and squibs, and for innovating the combination of makeup with on-set "practical" effects, as seen in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973).
In a time where makeup artists were secretive about their techniques and unions purposely suppressed the sharing of knowledge, Smith proved to be a generous soul, mentoring and training many younger artists who went on to accomplished careers in cinema, including Rick Baker, Mike Marino, Greg Cannom, and many more. Smith went as far as publishing an instructional book in 1965 titled Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Smith is today best known for his work on such classics as Little Big Man (1970), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Altered States (1980), Scanners (1981), The Hunger (1983), Starman (1984), and Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1985, he won an Academy Award® for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus, as well as a BAFTA® the following year. He was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences twice with special tribute ceremonies in 2009 and again in 2011, the latter including an Honorary Academy Award® presented by his most acclaimed protégé, Rick Baker. Smith left an indelible legacy in film and television, represented by a curated collection he carefully maintained throughout his career. Propstore is pleased to present these select artifacts from this legendary artist's personal collection, reflecting a distinguished career spanning decades in Hollywood and beyond.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.