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Jack Crabb's (Dustin Hoffman) pair of makeup appliances with a Dustin Hoffman lifecast and mold from Arthur Penn's Little Big Man. Framed as a story within a story, 121-year-old Jack Crabb told his life story to a historian spanning from 1859 to 1876.
Legendary makeup artist Dick Smith created Crabb's revolutionary old age makeup, including inventive false eyelids. The makeup involved a five-hour application with 14 overlapping appliances which completely covered Hoffman's face, head, neck, ears and the top of his hands. A foam hump under his costume was also used. Life magazine famously devoted a three-page story to Smith's groundbreaking work on the film. Lifecasts such as this were often created on productions to test special effects, prosthetics, and makeup without the performer needing to be present.
This pair of appliances, original plaster-cast bust of Hoffman, and mold originated from the collection of Dick Smith. The appliances consist of a foam latex nose and a foam latex chin. Created by Smith, the lifecast has a wire threaded through the back for wall mounting, and is accompanied by a silicone mold with plaster shell hand-marked "Hoffman." This lot shows wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age. Dimensions: (largest) 10.25" x 6.5" x 5" (26 cm x 16.5 cm x 12.75 cm)
Estimate: $1,200 - 2,400
View all lots from LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)
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.