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Emily Jessup's (Blair Brown) pair of finale energy masks designed by legendary makeup effects artist Dick Smith with Smith's hand-marked and bound first draft script from the production of Ken Russell's Altered States. In the climactic finale, Emily was nearly consumed by the primordial energy Eddie Jessup (William Hurt) unleashed with his psychopathology experiments, reawakening the devolving Eddie's human consciousness and bringing them together in a final naked embrace.
Both Jessups' groundbreaking transformations were brought to life by Smith, whose work for the film earned him a prestigious Saturn Award® for Best Make-Up. To accomplish the classic scene in which energy overtakes Emily, Smith custom-made foam latex masks to match Brown's full-body suit
These masks, as well as the 136-page, metal brad-bound script, originate from the collection of Smith. Both masks are textured to resemble split and cracked skin, while one also features cut-out eye and mouth holes for shots of Emily prior to being fully consumed. The script features a cardstock Artists Entertainment Complex cover hand-marked "#1," "Altered States" hand-marked on its spine, and multiples lines underlined in red marker throughout. The lot shows evidence of wear throughout consistent with on-set use and handling in the case of the masks, such as a blue ink stain on one mask and discoloration on both, as well as tearing to the script's cover. Dimensions: (script) 8.5" x 10.25" x 1" (21.75 cm x 25.75 cm x 2.5 cm)
Estimate: $800 - 1,600
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.