Revtim
July 16, 2004, 12:34pm
1
Just caught the end of the flick, and was reminded of how neat those guns looked with the flames coming out. Nowadays, the flames would have been added in post-production, but since this movie is from the 1970s I assume they actually rigged up the guns to actually flame, I would guess from having a flammmable gas canister and a pilot light.
Anybody know for sure how these gun props were rigged? My Googling has failed to find the answer.
Zebra
July 16, 2004, 1:40pm
2
I sooooo want one of those guns. I think it would be great to go as a sandman to a costume party so of course, I need one.
(Did you ever see Free Enterprise?)
Revtim
July 16, 2004, 3:07pm
3
I did see ‘Free Enterprise’, but I don’t recall anything about ‘Logan’s Run’ in it (it’s been a while). Refresh my memory?
Zebra
July 16, 2004, 4:05pm
4
They reference it about 100 times. Well they reference all sci-fi as they are unable to talk about anything without referencing some sort of sci-fi.
One of the guys is turnig 30 and he has nightmares about turning red.
Was it a flame or a small wisp of smoke that came out in an X pattern? It’s been a while so I can’t remember it accurately. If it was smoke then it could be done using a CO2 canister and maybe water vapor.
Zebra
July 16, 2004, 6:37pm
6
It was flames. Bright blue/white flames that appear forced out of the gun as if the burning gas is forced out under great pressure.
Great photos of originals and replicas of the gun in this French site here:
http://www.univers-de-logan-age-de-cristal.chez.tiscali.fr/newdsflameng.html
Some explanations too, but with grammar courtesy of Babel fish, I think. I could not resist correcting the quote a little:
The DS Flamegun of the tv series is a little different from the movie’s model. Yes, the DS Flamegun of the movie was judged too dangerous when it’s used (Richard Jordan burned his leg with his Functionnal Flamegun) It was modify for the tv series, the system was made more reliable… But the propmakers who made somes functional replicas modified again the valve’s system (they say that the original valve’s system was not very reliable) for to improve more again the security… The propmakers say that is not a very good idea to buy a original DS Flamegun of the movie or tv series, because they think that the gun will be in a bad condition (made since 25 years ago !!!) and the original valve’s system is too brittle !!!
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/5357/gun.htm
In regards to the Gun: John Azarian writes: This gun is an "original black prop flame pistol used both in the Oscar winning film and later in the television series 1977-1978 (CBS). The gun is constructed of aluminum, brass, and phenolic, and has a self-contained acetylene torch. The gun has a spring loaded trigger on the handle.
"Only 16 working flame pistols were made in 1975 at a cost to MGM of $24,000 ($1,500 each). They were later modified to make them sturdier for the television series because it was too costly to build new flame pistols. Total original cost, plus modification cost, are estimated to be $2,300 per pistol. They were, and still might be, some of the most unique, functional, special effects props ever created. Built at MGM studios, under the design and direction of Fred Cramer, the bottom of the handle is etched “MGM 8094”.
[snip]
Mark Worley, a Gun replica maker, describes the gun this way:
“The gun works by mixing a chemical with water to create a gas that is shot out the front end of the gun and ignited. The 3” back chamber of the gun with the knob on it is the "gas’ mixing chamber. This knob has an O-ring on it to create a tight seal so the expanding gas doesn’t escape, so pressure can build up to create a strong burst of flameable gas. Once you inject water into the chemicals in the back chamber of the gun, you tighten down that knob as soon as you can to keep the gas from escaping - you obviously can’t twist or adjust this knob after it’s been “gassed up”, or you would release all the gas! "
There is a nice picture of the inside of the gun, revealing that one of the power sources for the valves was…. An Energizer “C” battery!
There is also a picture of one of the original blueprints.
:smack: I now realize that it is most likely that the battery was there to provide power for a spark mechanism.
Revtim
July 16, 2004, 8:25pm
10
Very nice GIGObuster , thanks!
Basically, it’s a miner’s carbide lantern in the shape of a gun?
Zebra:
They reference it about 100 times. Well they reference all sci-fi as they are unable to talk about anything without referencing some sort of sci-fi.
One of the guys is turnig 30 and he has nightmares about turning red.
Funny. At age 21, **my[/y] palm flower started blinking red and black.
Damn those early afternoon beers!
Hmm… Obviously your palm flower is set to “novel”, not “movie”.
Yeah. But I also have the book edition that has color photos from the movie! Best of both worlds, Ma!