Questions tagged [props]
Inanimate objects used in film or tv productions to propel the storyline or that help to define a character by association.
193
questions
4
votes
1answer
167 views
Electric portable lamps in 1917 - how realistic is this depiction?
I've just seen "1917" and when Schofield and Blake were in enemy trenches - the rat tripwire scene - they were using some portable lamps.
My question is - how realistic is this depiction and if it ...
35
votes
1answer
6k views
What exactly is ALF?
We all know and remember the 1980's family sitcom ALF. He is a cat-eating, food-loving alien from the planet Melmac.
One thing that I have always wondered: what exactly is ALF? He is not a puppet, ...
7
votes
1answer
326 views
How was the Etch a Sketch art of Mona Lisa made for Elf?
In the movie Elf, at one scene an Etch a Sketch is shown with an amazingly accurate rendition of the Mona Lisa drawn on it. Of course, it's really hard to draw on an Etch a Sketch, so I was wondering ...
8
votes
1answer
374 views
Do Harry Potter scarves in the movies have house emblems?
I've bought officially licensed Harry Potter scarves (the kind the kids wear, which have different colours for each house), however they come with a house emblem patched on the front of each.
I don'...
6
votes
3answers
670 views
Why are needles pushed in so far in movies?
Having seen a lot of needles used in movies I've always wondered why they are inserted so deep - it's like they're trying to inject stuff into the bones!
Why aren't needles used the way they should ...
2
votes
0answers
70 views
What is the red cord around the chest of Shaolin fighters?
Two Champions of Death (1980) made me wonder why one of the Shaolin fighters has red cords tied all around his chest over his jacket. I've seen this before in other Kung fu movies and always wondered ...
6
votes
1answer
324 views
Was the HBC (Hudson's Bay Company) mug a deliberate prop in “The Princess Bride”?
In "The Princess Bride", Peter Falk is seen holding an HBC mug with the distinctive green/red/yellow/indigo stripes of the Hudson's Bay Company:
Was this prop a deliberate insertion, or did this "...
6
votes
1answer
184 views
Why is Darkman being “rotated”?
In 1990 movie "Darkman", after the protagonist is seriously injured, he is put on some rotating machine, as the other patients of the hospital.
What are these machines? Are these things really used ...
6
votes
1answer
340 views
Why do cars in movies set in earlier eras always look brand new?
Whenever I watch a movie or TV show set in an earlier era, all the cars look brand new. In fact, better than brand new; the paint is rich and deep, highly polished. They all look as though they ...
0
votes
2answers
198 views
Was Geordi's VISOR ever spelled lower-case in “Star Trek: TNG” scripts?
Reference materials for Star Trek spell the visual aide used by character Geordi LaForge as the acronym VISOR, instead of the word visor. Was this also the case in the scripts for the television show?...
10
votes
1answer
655 views
What gadget does Will have on his wrist in “Stranger Things” S03E08?
Here are two screenshots from Stranger Things S03E08 with the gadget in question:
It does not look like a wrist watch. Is it maybe some kind of portable video game?
1
vote
0answers
440 views
What's the significance of this wearable item on Hanna?
In Midsommar, (2019) Hanna (played by Louise Peterhoff) appears to be wearing some kind of modern ankle strap/support. The item is black with red or orange trim and not in keeping with the rest of her ...
3
votes
1answer
548 views
Does the Rube Goldberg machine used in the Elementary intro credits fully exist (and work)?
The intro sequence for the CBS show Elementary has a Rube Goldberg machine that actually captures the general flow of an episode quite well:
I was wondering if there ...
23
votes
1answer
3k views
Why is Havana covered in 5-digit numbers in Our Man in Havana?
In the 1959 film version of Our Man in Havana, the streets of Havana are littered in signs with 4- and 5-digit numbers on them.
Here's an example:
Notice the "00260", "19072", and "42857" left of ...
9
votes
3answers
3k views
What is Thanos's weapon called?
In Avengers: Endgame, Thanos wields a kind of "double sword". I have no idea what this weapon is.
(Image source: Thanos' new Avengers: Endgame weapon has been revealed）
I'm wondering what kind of ...
3
votes
2answers
236 views
Was this miniature in “Requiem for Methuselah” ever used to portray the Enterprise in space?
In the Star Trek: TOS episode "Requiem for Methuselah", the title character shrinks the Enterprise. You can see Kirk inspecting this miniature Enterprise on a table:
Was this particular prop ever ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
What is this round thing on the pantry door in The Shining
When Wendy locks Jack in the pantry, there is a round object on the door.
I thought that it was something to help out if someone gets trapped in the pantry, but based on the scene, it seems like that'...
23
votes
1answer
3k views
Did Kevin spill real chili?
In the Office season 5 episode 26 in the cold open Kevin makes a big pot of chili and spills it all on the office floor when bringing it in.
Is it real chili? I am wondering if there is any episode ...
12
votes
1answer
2k views
How did the original lightsaber prop work?
The original (non-animated) lightsaber was apparently a wooden slat that could rotate covered with a reflective tape:
What kind of reflective tape are we talking about here? The light is so intense ...
2
votes
0answers
32 views
What is the meaning of the smoking hair in Yellowbeard?
I have watched Yellowbeard countless times and tried to place a meaning on the smoking hair ends used twice in the film. I have heard reference to an inside joke amongst the cast and crew, but never a ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the difference between the beige and orange prison uniforms?
In Orange Is The New Black, what is the difference between the beige prison uniform and the orange prison uniform? I've noticed some prisoners have beige and some have orange and the beige are only ...
1
vote
0answers
120 views
Flags in Kim Possible (2019)
In a scene near the end of the TV movie Kim Possible (2019), two flags are seen on two different flag poles outside of the Middleton high school. I don't remember, but they might also be seen in ...
3
votes
0answers
439 views
Is the video game played by Roland Schitt in S4E4 of Schitt's Creek real?
In S04E04, Girl's Night, of Schitt's Creek, Roland Schitt plays a video game.
If it is a real one, what's the name of this game?
If it's not a real video game, it looks like a lot of effort was ...
5
votes
1answer
610 views
What is the logic behind Nadia bribing the secretary of the Temple with a mango?
So I just finished watching the dramedy TV series Russian Doll (2019) and have a question about a seemingly simple thing that maybe I am not understanding.
In the third episode (“A Warm Body”) what ...
4
votes
1answer
178 views
Is the rowboat painting in more than 2 episodes and does it have multiple meanings?
I know the rowboat painting first appears in Breaking Bad in the fugue state episode and shows a man rowing away from his family, and then appears again when Walt is hiring Jack for the prison hit. ...
6
votes
3answers
909 views
What's the matter with Captain Boomerang's pink unicorn?
When preparing for their first mission, the Suicide Squad are given access to their personal belongings. Among the various weapons and custom outfits, there's also a pink unicorn plush toy that ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views
What was the respiratory system Dhawan used?
In Inside Edge, Dhawan frequently uses this respiratory system:
Others shots of the system:
But what is this? What does it represent for his character?
12
votes
2answers
6k views
Why didn't Rami wear colored contact lenses in Bohemian Rhapsody?
In the movie Bohemian Rhapsody actor Rami Malek is portraying Freddie Mercury, brilliantly, if I may add. Rami and the crew put a lot of effort to make him look and act like Freddie. He had singing ...
8
votes
0answers
8k views
What book is Rachel reading?
The Friends episode "The One with Rachel's Book" has Joey mock Rachel about an erotic novel he found in her room.
But is this just a prop book with the few excerpts Joey reads out being provided by ...
40
votes
6answers
12k views
What was the significance of the deep fried kebab poster in Infinity War?
In Avengers: Infinity War, we see a poster about Scotland's deep fried kebab for a significant amount of time:
Is there any significance to it? Or is it just random?
Note: Inspired from CinemaSins
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Does Will Ferrell use the same dog in his roles?
In the scene from The Office where Will Ferrell is training Andy Bernard how to be a good salesman, he is holding a dog that looks very similar to Baxter from Anchorman. Is Will Ferrell partial to ...
8
votes
3answers
14k views
What does SNIOKAH mean?
Spoilers for anyone who hasn't watched Bodyguard TV Series yet.
In the last episode, David Budd is seen going on a trip with family and the license plate of his car reads SNIO KAH.
Does this hold ...
-1
votes
2answers
406 views
Weed Smoking in This is the End
This is the End (2013) features scenes where Seth Rogen smokes weed. It's no secret that Seth Rogen likes to smoke weed, and from this link, it would seem they often did it off camera.
On camera; is ...
4
votes
1answer
186 views
What was Ryan holding near the start of Doctor Who S11E1?
In Series 11, Episode 1 of Doctor Who, entitled "The Woman Who Fell To Earth", there's a scene near the start with Ryan holding an object. Here's a screen clip taken a little over 3 minutes from the ...
5
votes
1answer
419 views
What if an actor doesn’t smoke? [duplicate]
What if a scene calls for an actor to pull out a cigarette and light up? But the actor isn’t a smoker?
Are there fake cigarette props? Vapor cigs that don’t have any nicotine or harm to the lungs?
...
4
votes
0answers
139 views
What's the weapon Nadia Fierro/Baldwin uses in Counterpart S01E08 to kill the guy in his flat?
In episode 8 of the first series of Counterpart, Nadia Fierro uses a kind of automatic strangling device, she puts it over the head of her victim, he struggles and dies. Is this original to the series ...
9
votes
1answer
275 views
What is the significance of this photo?
In The Wire Season 2 Episode 7 "Backwash." in Frank's office there is a dart board with a black and white photo of someone. This implies the photo is someone that Frank hates/despises.
Who is the ...
1
vote
2answers
510 views
Who designed the original Star Trek's communicator? [closed]
The communicator in the original Star Trek TV series is very similar in design to a flip phone? Was there product development done for the communicator before it was made? Who designed and created the ...
7
votes
1answer
198 views
Why is there a Madonna of Hans Holbein in You Only Live Twice?
In the 6th Bond film, You Only Live Twice (1967) , one of Blofeld's possessions is a Madonna of Hans Holbein, best exemplified as the Darmstadt Madonna:
What is the reason it is in the film? I know ...
5
votes
0answers
279 views
What's this winged toy figure in Ant-Man? [closed]
I don't recognize it, but it shows up in two very different places in the movie.
It appears in Hank's junk drawer at 00:24:35
And earlier in the Baskin-Robbin's manager's office at 00:05:28
25
votes
1answer
5k views
What are the towers on Tatooine?
In the Star Wars movies, in many locations on Tatooine we can see these towers, shown below. Tatooine was the home for Luke, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan & many more.
As per above pictures can any ...
4
votes
1answer
558 views
Do movies and TV shows use extra-bright flashlights?
Movie sets are very brightly lit, even for scenes that appear dark onscreen. This is because the more light there is, the better the final picture quality is.
Common flashlights are not particularly ...
9
votes
2answers
17k views
What was on Debbie's list?
In the Ocean's 8 movie, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has a list of 15 items. The piece of paper is shown a couple of times in the movie. Once, when Debbie and Lou (Cate Blanchett) are sitting in ...
5
votes
0answers
263 views
What is the significance of the sketch of Lenin on Clouseau's apartment wall in The Return of the Pink Panther?
I was recently re-watching The Return of the Pink Panther when I noticed a sketch of Lenin on the wall of Clouseau's apartment (early in the film, about 10 minutes, I think). Does anyone know why it's ...
2
votes
1answer
324 views
Why was the New Orleans flag altered in NCIS New Orleans?
In the season finale "Checkmate Part 2" May 15, 2018, a flag was flying from a small rod attached to the upper railing outside the building were Pride's bar was located.
The flag resembled, but was ...
32
votes
1answer
10k views
What kind of gun did Robocop use in the first movie?
What kind of gun did Robocop use in the first movie? I know it was a triple burst handgun with a single shot capability.
7
votes
2answers
9k views
Does the wooden puzzle from Tomb Raider really exist?
In the film Tomb Raider (2018) there is a wooden puzzle with rotating sections. See this section of the trailer.
Is the one featured in the trailer built in the style of/based on a real puzzle?
See ...
90
votes
3answers
17k views
How accurate is this computer hardware in the movie Wall Street?
In the movie Wall Street, there are two monitors that look like some kind of computers with funny looking keypads. What are they? Did they really use this kind of equipment back then?
3
votes
1answer
290 views
At how many different scales were starship Enterprise models produced?
My question is about models of the original series Star Trek Enterprise, both shooting models produced by the studio for the original series run, as well as licensed model kits ever available for ...
4
votes
1answer
156 views
Is there a specific set of Hinduism emotions Gotham was attributing with those acupuncture needles?
In Gotham we meet The Shaman who was conditioning Bruce into emotionless puppet and used acupuncture needles with the Hindi words on the non-pointy end which Bruce called symbols:
They were clearly ...
