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Freddy Krueger's (Robert Englund) screen-matched distressed fedora from Renny Harlin's A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. Freddy - a vengeful spirit who attacked his victims through their dreams as vengeance for his own murder - wore his signature fedora sans hat band in multiple appearances in the film. Distinctive points of distress in the front crease of this fedora screen-match to when Freddy ran at Alice Johnson (Lisa Wilcox) in their climactic confrontation.
Freddy Krueger remains an omnipresent horror figure in pop culture. His intriguing backstory and sinister ability to attack victims in their dreams made him a unique antagonist, and his severely burned skin continues to haunt the viewing public to this day. While early drafts described Freddy as a more traditional slasher villain, Englund's performance and Craven's evolving characterization transformed him into one of horror's most charismatic antagonists, known as much for his sardonic wit as his brutality.
During pre-production on the original Nightmare, Craven was unsure of Krueger's fedora until actor Englund showed him the shadow silhouettes. Today, alongside his razor-blade glove, Freddy's weathered fedora is among the most recognizable costume elements in horror cinema writ large.
This fedora originates from Academy Award®-winning special effects makeup artist Howard Berger of KNB EFX Group, who applied Freddy Krueger's prosthetics for multiple installments in the franchise. It is also believed to have been used for Wes Craven's Freddy's Nightmares, as New Line Cinema filmed both installments concurrently using many shared props and costumes.
This heavy wool felt fedora - an update from the beaver felt previously used in the third Nightmare film - had its lining and outside hatband removed, while its interior is hand-marked "14" in white by production. Production intentionally distressed the hat to give it an aged and grime-covered appearance. This lot shows evidence of wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age.
Estimate: $20,000 - 40,000
View all lots from NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4, A: THE DREAM MASTER (1988)
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.