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A mummy mask and gloves from Tony Scott's The Hunger. Miriam Blaylock (Catherine Deneuve), unable to part with her aged lovers, kept them locked in coffins in her attic, amassing a collection of still-living mummies. At the end of the film, after Dr. Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon) stabbed her own throat, Miriam carried Sarah upstairs, intending to lock her away in a coffin, when she was attacked by her desiccated lovers, driven over the edge of her balcony, and aged rapidly, summarily turning the mummies to dust.
This lot originates from the collection of Dick Smith. It consists of a foam latex overhead mummy mask with "REJECT" hand-written on the interior in black ink, and a pair of latex and foam latex gloves intentionally distressed by production to appear desiccated. The gloves show aged and stiff materials that should be handled with caution, as well as tearing along the neck and the eyes. Dimensions: (largest) 8.5" x 16" x 7.5" (21.25 cm x 40.75 cm x 19 cm)
Estimate: $800 - 1,600
View all lots from HUNGER, THE (1983)
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.