# How Long Do Movie Studios Keep props/Costumes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772 "2015-06-17T18:38:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/1 "2015-06-17T18:38:21Z")
I know that big movie studios have massive warehouses where props and costumes are kept. This is to save money and time-why make new when you can use the stuff from a movie made years ago? My question is: how long do they keep this stuff-would it be unusual to find costumes from the 1920s still around? I recall that when MGM went bankrupt, they auctioned off the props and costumes, and they still had the stuff from the 1942 movie “The Wizard of Oz”. These warehouses must be chock full of interesting stuff-is there a chance some of the really old stuff is still being used? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/2 "2015-06-17T19:24:20Z")
I just went to an exhibit at EMP in Seattle with costumes from the Star Wars movies - so quite a while. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/3 "2015-06-17T19:37:29Z")
I think all the old-time movie studios sold off props and costumes around the time MGM did. All the good stuff has been to auction several times. [Commercial](http://moviepropwarehouse.com/) [prop](http://www.propstore.com/) [houses](http://www.reelclothes.com/) exist. And the whole world is out there from which to buy props, if you don’t want to go CGI. Of what possible value would a warehouse of moldering props be to a modern studio? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/4 "2015-06-17T19:45:24Z")
I used to follow the Hollywood auctions carefully, and more than once items came up that had been identifiably used in more than one film. Stuff from “King Kong” seems to be particularly prone to that; the same native shields and drums can be seen in three or four or more movies. Elaborate things like jewel-encrusted thrones show up in multiple films, too. The space suits from _2010_ were repainted and used in _Babylon 5_. And so forth. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/5 "2015-06-17T19:46:29Z")
_The Wizard of Oz_ was made in [1939](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_%281939_film%29). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/6 "2015-06-17T20:02:16Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I think all the old-time movie studios sold off props and costumes around the time MGM did. All the good stuff has been to auction several times. > > [Commercial](http://moviepropwarehouse.com/) [prop](http://www.propstore.com/) [houses](http://www.reelclothes.com/) exist. And the whole world is out there from which to buy props, if you don’t want to go CGI. Of what possible value would a warehouse of moldering props be to a modern studio? The Universal Studios prop warehouse is still part of the back lot tour there. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/7 "2015-06-17T20:17:57Z")
Debbie Reynolds bought out a lot of MGM’s warehouse back in the 70s when they auctioned it off. I remember reading recently that she was putting a lot of it back up for auction because she needed money. The poor woman REALLY has a problem picking trustworthy men to have in her life… ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/8 "2015-06-17T20:41:54Z")
The Debbie Reynolds auctions (there were two of them) were in June and December of [2011](http://www.deepglamour.net/deep_glamour/2011/06/debbie-reynolds-hollywood-costume-prop-and-memorabilia-auction.html). So not so recent. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/9 "2015-06-17T21:45:22Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > The Debbie Reynolds auctions (there were two of them) were in June and December of [2011](http://www.deepglamour.net/deep_glamour/2011/06/debbie-reynolds-hollywood-costume-prop-and-memorabilia-auction.html). So not so recent. Eh. Less than five years. Recent enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/10 "2015-06-17T22:15:30Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The Universal Studios prop warehouse is still part of the back lot tour there. From its website, it appears that it is a prop house itself, not one limited to the studio. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/11 "2015-06-18T01:05:45Z")
I read an article on Cracked recently that showed several props being used over decades. Wait, turns out it was a video. [Linky](http://www.cracked.com/video_19332_7-recycled-props-you-didnt-know-you-saw-in-multiple-movies.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/12 "2015-06-18T01:22:18Z")
I’ve seen Robbie the Robot, originally from Forbidden Planet in lots of programs. Star Trek reused lots of models and props. I’ve seen lots of masks/puppet heads originally from Twilight Zone/Outer Limits reappear in other stuff. Young Frankenstein had the lab equipment from a much earlier Frankenstein. And on Big Bang Theory, I’ve seen George Pal’s time machine and Gort from the original The Day The Earth Stood Still. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/13 "2015-06-18T04:14:37Z")
Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick was well aware of studios’ practice of hanging on to props and reusing them, especially if they spent a lot of money on them. Consequently he insisted that all sets & props & costumes from his films were destroyed upon completion to prevent this. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/14 "2015-06-18T05:20:33Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Stuff from “King Kong” seems to be particularly prone to that; the same native shields and drums can be seen in three or four or more movies. The sets for _King Kong_ were also [reused](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=464224). ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/15 "2015-06-18T06:04:16Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick was well aware of studios’ practice of hanging on to props and reusing them, especially if they spent a lot of money on them. Consequently he insisted that all sets & props & costumes from his films were destroyed upon completion to prevent this. What a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/16 "2015-06-18T06:28:45Z")
Hogan’s leather jacket on Hogan Heroes was originally worn by Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan’s Express. It was later worn by Greg Kinnear in Auto Focus (2002). > **[Hogan's Heroes (TV Series 1965–1971) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058812/trivia)** > > Hogan's Heroes (TV Series 1965–1971) Trivia on IMDb: Cameos, Mistakes, Spoilers and more... ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/17 "2015-06-18T06:43:10Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I know that big movie studios have massive warehouses where props and costumes are kept. Actually, studios have probably rented as many, if not more, costumes as constructed them. One of the most famous rental companies–[Western Costume](http://www.seeing-stars.com/Landmarks/WesternCostume.shtml)–used to be right down the street from Paramount. I once rented some costumes there myself for a friend’s AFI production. Just walking through that place was tour unto itself. (I haven’t been to the new location, though). ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/18 "2015-06-19T11:58:12Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I’ve seen Robbie the Robot, originally from Forbidden Planet in lots of programs. Star Trek reused lots of models and props. I’ve seen lots of masks/puppet heads originally from Twilight Zone/Outer Limits reappear in other stuff. Young Frankenstein had the lab equipment from a much earlier Frankenstein. And on Big Bang Theory, I’ve seen George Pal’s time machine and Gort from the original The Day The Earth Stood Still. Yes, robbie was in several films and Twilight Zone episodes. he must be still around, somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/19 "2015-06-19T12:19:17Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Debbie Reynolds bought out a lot of MGM’s warehouse back in the 70s when they auctioned it off. I remember reading recently that she was putting a lot of it back up for auction because she needed money. The poor woman REALLY has a problem picking trustworthy men to have in her life… ``` Reynolds has also tried for years to get the money men in Hollywood to build a museum for movie memorabilia but can't find anyone. She bought the MGM items hoping to get it started by donating her collection. A lot of movie sets don't survive because they are not well constructed to begin with. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-movie-studios-keep-props-costumes/722772/20 "2015-06-19T12:55:16Z")
When the auctioned off the Star Trek stuff there were these “Klingon” cups. They weren’t sure but they thought the cups were also used in The Ten Commandments (1956). The ships wheel in Star Trek Generations was used in several old “sea movies”. Studios like Paramount, Universal and Warners would have stuff from the ‘old days’. Props and costumes. Dreamworks, not so much.