Bad props?

[Coz]

Wether easily identifiable, a too-often used rental, cheap, poorly made or just plain lame, sometimes hand props get the short shrift - most usually in B-movies, low budget TV, etc.

Not wanting to diss anyones hard work - I figure we've all have seen something 'wrong' at one time or another.

For example, I remember the show 'Mutant X' - which featured some kind of neural inhibitor, or somesuch, that was fitted to the back of the neck - which was to all appearances a black rubber self-adhesive foot with a red LED. :confused

In the same show, an episode featured a special key - which was a round security key stuck into a Playstation memory card.

More recently, the Flash Gordon series used unmodified paintball masks on Mings' soldier guys.

Even the big movies aren't immune - a vehicle used as set dressing on Aliens was a roadsweeper / streetcleaner. :lol

So what's yours? Please keep it fun. Post pics of possible.

Coz.

 

[Gigatron]

I remember some dopey movie about a group (comprised of military/civilian and the token disinfranchised ex-military scientist) who had to use the scientist's sonic drill to get to the middle of the earth to jump-start the core.

Anyway, the "high-pressure environmental masks" were nothing more than commonly available paintball masks with carbon filters taped to the sides. I thought it was funny because I use the same mask for paintball.

-Fred

 

[Kris]

Paintball masks seem popular .. they are also used in V for Vendetta

 

[Rhett J Martin]

How bout using an Orange H1 Hummer on Caprica . . . UGH!

 

[hankey01]

IN the The Phantom Menace....anyone notice Anakin's 'trackball' scoop hanging on the wall..

Hey I had one of those as a kid too!!

 

[glim999]

Don't remember the episode clearly but I remember seeing a Nintendo zapper with a cut down barrel on Stargate SG:1 once :lol

 

[Coz]

Good ones!

Just remembered - Farscape often had Super Soakers for alien blasters (usually in the background, but I recall Zhaan running around with one.

 

[Prefect42]

In Star Trek IV, I noticed McCoy used the "engine" box that sits atop the old Kingon Battle Cruiser with two rectangular boxes attached to the sides. The boxes had flashing LED's inside. But having build a few of the old kits from the 70's, I recognized the center box straight from the kit.

Thought that was a good joke from the prop department.

And a cheap movie from 1976, they used old camera equipment for a few of the laser swords. :lol

Ted.
Prefect42.

 

[Endless Wonder]

 

[Zombie_61]

And a cheap movie from 1976, they used old camera equipment for a few of the laser swords. :lol

Ahem, it was a cheap movie from 1977, thankyouverymuch.

 

[micdavis]

Without a doubt the KING of ****ty props.

Completely un-modified automobile timing lights used in Moonraker as laser guns. Come on Bond is NOT a low budget deal!!

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Do the Starship Troopers armor sets count? :lol They've been used in so many tv shows and movies instead of coming up with something better.

 

[robstyle]

star trek comes to mind in droves for bad props. Nothing but blinking lights, modified off the shelf items and press on button feet....

 

[Onigiri]

Probably because the armor was done at spec/cost and kept by tehowner of the shop. Little trivia: The armor as seen in the movie wa NOT to the design that was submitted as that was unusable. Max Cervantes had to change it to be usable. The armor was essentially made for cost and 'loaned' to Starship Troopers. Aftrerwards many sets were sold or auctioned and those that remained loaned out to several productions..Power Rangers...Firefly...and several others.

Do the Starship Troopers armor sets count? :lol They've been used in so many tv shows and movies instead of coming up with something better.

 

[CustomCreations]

Its got to be the gillette shaver 'intercom' a few posts back. I can only presume the box with the original prop in it got lost by BA, and some poor prop guy,the night before the shoot, had to use what was in the bathroom.

 

[SingleSeat]

That's the first one that came to my mind too! So does it work better with cream or gel?

 

[Bobtherocker]

i guess its not strictly on topic but the 80's BSG and Buck Rogers fighter launch sequences and sound effects were identical.
When i watch them now they are soooo 80's it hurts my eyes.
i'm sure there were prop swaps for both shows too.

 

[CustomCreations]

Any of the 'rocks' used in the sets of Star Trek TOS .

 

[dropshipbob]

Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country, the tube holding the marshmallows.

I mean come on, do you really need a "hi-tech" gadget to hold marshmallows?

 

[nogga_nootch]

another bad phantom menace prop, also in anakins room,

a dog toy painted brass/gold hanging on the wall.