Is there a way for a stuntman to do a platform/drop hanging safely? I know in the movies they always put the mask on and then drop a dummy, but how about in a stage production of some sort?
Oh yeah, it can be done. Alice Cooper did it in his show for years. He’s stopped now for two reasons.
For one thing, it’s a heck of a jerk when you hit the end of the rope. Even though he wore a body harness, he was finding that it was really bothering his back. Second, one night there actually was a snag. He hung for several seconds before they got him down. I think he’s just plain scared of it now. Heck, I would be!
It’s also not an urban legend that a fourteen year old boy in Toronto died trying to copy the stunt. I’ve heard Alice confirm that himself in an interview and on his radio show. It’s also mentioned in the SickthingsUK archives, the most reliable of the fansites. Sobering thought, eh?