E.T. phone home.
Turner Classic Movies and Julien’s Auctions are giving one lucky person the chance to bring E.T. to their home — for just an estimated $2 to $3 million.
Many movie relics will go on the auction block at the “Icons & Idols: Hollywood” event, but the original mechatronic filming model “actor” that Steven Spielberg used to bring E.T. to life is set to be the headliner, according to a press release.
The E.T. Hero “#1,” built in 1981 for the 1982 classic film, pre-dates modern CGI technology and effects. Featuring 85 points of movement, it’s regarded as an “engineering masterpiece.”
“We are thrilled to continue the 40th anniversary party for ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,’ and the genius of Steven Spielberg can never be celebrated enough,” said Pola Changnon, general manager of TCM.
“This auction truly runs the spectrum of film history, from the classics to the modern era, and Julien’s is yet again making these unbelievably rare items accessible to film lovers everywhere,” Changnon continued.
“We could not be more honored than to work with the family of Carlo Rambaldi, caretakers of one of the most incredible pop culture figures in the history of Hollywood – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Rambaldi was a pioneer in the field and his artistry brought unreal characters to life in a way that has never been replicated with modern-day visual effects,” said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.
Carlo Rambaldi, shared with Dennis Muren and Kenneth F. Smith, won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for the film in 1983.
But that’s not the only E.T. artifact up on the auction block.
Lower ticket E.T. relics include a preliminary model made for Spielberg to approve the E.T. design, going for an estimated $80,000 to $100,000, as well as a series of original E.T. mechanical illustration blueprints, going for an estimated $10,000 to $20,000 each.
Other items to bid on include three dresses worn by Marilyn Monroe — including one she wore in the series of photographs taken of her and Arthur Miller in New York City in 1956.
The auction also will include a 1943 Oscar trophy presented to W. Howard Greene for the film “Phantom of the Opera.”
Boxing buffs could score big, too, since a pair of Everlast boxing gloves and Everlast boxing shorts worn by Robert DeNiro in Martin Scorsese’s 1980 film “Raging Bull” and a brown terrycloth robe with “Italian Stallion” embroidering worn by Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in “Rocky” will be under the hammer.
An original hero prop Nimbus 2000 broom belonging to Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter from the production of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” can also be bid on.
More items from movies such as “Titanic,” “Risky Business,” the “Star Wars” prequel films, “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Alien,” “Iron Man 2” and “The Ten Commandments” will be up for auction as well.
“Julien’s Auctions and TCM Present: Icons & Idols: Hollywood” event takes place on Dec. 17 to 18 in Beverly Hills or online at JuliensLive.com.
