If it weren't for Edison we'd be watching TV by candlelight

July 6, 2015 5:04 PM

James Comisar has amassed a collection of movie and TV props which he currently houses in storage while he sets up the actual Museum of Television.
posted by growabrain (9 comments total)

If it took twenty-five years to acquire "the whole set from "Cheers" why did we only get to see a glimpse of just the door? Sheesh.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 6:24 PM on July 6, 2015

Probably so that you'll pony up for admission to the museum. I don't understand the allure of walking around looking at movie props and costumes for hours, but I have no doubt there will be plenty of my fellow Americans willing to pay for the privilege.
posted by axiom at 6:29 PM on July 6, 2015

I do realize that one's affection for a particular prop is dependent on whether one liked the show or not, but I can't understand the collecting of the clothes. So much friggin space. Now, Jeanie's bottle, on the other hand: who would be crazy enough to throw that out?
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 7:05 PM on July 6, 2015

Obligatory.
posted by SisterHavana at 7:38 PM on July 6, 2015

About 9 years ago I wrote an article for Invention and Technology magazine describing the Museum of Television in Toronto. Which mostly features the design history of television sets, not that other stuff.
posted by LeLiLo at 7:51 PM on July 6, 2015

Classic Canada!
posted by rhizome at 7:59 PM on July 6, 2015

Years back I saw a show at the Smithsonian about the original Star Trek loaded with props and costumes. Though I was never a fan of the show it was quite interesting. Seeing the small gray painted block of wood that was a communicator was hilarious. The stripes on the cuffs of the shirts were made from Ric-Rak which my grandmother would buy at Woolworths. I can understand how people would like to see the actual props. But only if they are willing to have the illusion broken.
posted by njohnson23 at 9:17 PM on July 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

I can understand how people would like to see the actual props. But only if they are willing to have the illusion broken.

I collect props, and this is the exact reason that I only collect in-fiction-accurate replicas. My copy of Henry Jones Sr.'s grail diary has a lot more than four pages in it, for instance. And while I'd love to see one of the screen-used ones, I wouldn't trade mine for it in a million years, despite the difference in monetary value.
posted by rifflesby at 10:03 PM on July 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

Now, Jeanie's bottle, on the other hand: who would be crazy enough to throw that out?

I would spend a lot of time, uhhh, polishing it. Yeah, that's it.
posted by pjern at 6:28 AM on July 7, 2015