By April MacIntyre Jun 25, 2008, 21:40 GMT
Universal Studios Hollywood has a new display created for the die-hard movie buffs of the world.
06/08/2008 - Stan Lee - "The Incredible Hulk" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals - Universal Citywalk Universal Studios - Universal City, CA, USA © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos
Hollywood's crown jewels will be on view as Universal Studios Hollywood puts a "Best Picture" Oscar® and never-before-seen props, costumes, wardrobe, artifacts and special effects on display at "The Universal Experience: Behind the Scenes of Universal Pictures," a new attraction designed to put the magic of Hollywood within arms reach of guests.
"The Universal Experience" will showcase many of the memorable items seen on film from Universal Pictures' award-winning movies, including some of the most iconic movies in Hollywood history.
With access to a library of over 6,000 titles dating back to the Studio's early beginnings in 1913 - fans will be able to examine up close the advances in film technology from the days of early motion pictures through modern day filmmaking.
Standing tall at the center of the new attraction will be the "Best Picture" Oscar statuette from The Sting, awarded to Universal Pictures in 1973.
"The Universal Experience" will be updated regularly to feature a selection of items in designated Behind-the-Scenes and On-Screen areas that have long been part of Universal's history, according to the Studio.
The organizers have painstakingly added film trivia and film clip kiosks to enhance the experience as an interactive component.
The display will showcase numerous props and costumes featured in current Universal films, providing guests with the opportunity to see these items first hand soon after viewing them on the big screen.
Examples provided by Universal include: The Book of the Dead from The Mummy, the Book of Who from Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Speak and Spell transmitter from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the Diary from Bridget Jones's Diary, Denzel Washington's boxing gloves from The Hurricane, Toby Maguire's Trophy from Seabiscuit, Gregory Peck's briefcase and glasses from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Universal also announced that the costumes on display will include garments worn by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in the award-winning film, Atonement; Cate Blanchett's regal period pieces from the Oscar winning film, Elizabeth, Anthony Perkins' jacket from Psycho, Anthony Hopkins' mask and outfit from Hannibal, Roy Schieder's police uniform from Jaws, Mike Myers' hat from The Cat in the Hat, Toby Maguire's racing attire from Seabiscuit, Joaquin Phoenix's costume from Gladiator, a Letterman Jacket from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, WC Fields' hat and glove from The Bank Dick and Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First" uniforms.
Effects and post-production junkies can get their fix in a behind-the-scenes section, sleight-of-sight special effects, will include treatments as Matte Paintings used in the making of Earthquake and in Alfred Hitchcock's Torn Curtain and The Birds, models and miniatures from The Mummy, Apollo 13 and Back to the Future, as well as the Mechanical Horse from Seabiscuit and the Baby Raptor from Jurassic Park.
Art department fans will be treated to original set designs created for the Psycho House, mechanical drawings of Jaws' Bruce the shark, concept art from Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat, set drawings from Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus and storyboards from Back to the Future.
Camera artifacts will include a broad selection original silent film era cameras, Alfred Hitchcock's director's chair and the original Universal Studios Hollywood theme park brochure from 1964 will add to the display.
Universal has powered the display with a green conscience, using state of the art LED lights and low draw energy fixtures.
Universal CityWalk features 65 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options and theaters, including IMAX.
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