Calling all experts: Indy Idol Identification?

[thegreatgalling]

Hey guys,

Picked this up on eBay a while ago before I cared about details and I am hoping to learn more about it. I can't ever tell idols apart, sadly, but I know some of you here can spot differences from 20 yards away.

Here it is on the left next to my sideshow. (Ok, I can tell the difference from that one, sheesh).

Thanks in advance!

 

[thegreatgalling]

No one?:eek

 

[darthinvictus]

Usually Fyfe is right on these!

 

[thegreatgalling]

That's what I thought! Where are ya Fyfe??!

 

[Jedifyfe]

I didn't see this thread until now.

This looks like a REELART idol. A REELART idol is probably a 2nd or 3rd cast off of the Mr. Hata idol or as we know it to be the "Archives" book idol. The biggest difference between the REELART idol and the Mr Hata idol seems to be the Flatter top of the head and the obvious bubbles in the resin.

 

[thegreatgalling]

Thanks so much! Is Mr. Hata the guy who made the archives idol? I never really found a straight answer about why the archives book would show an idol that never appeared in the film!

 

[Jedifyfe]

Thanks so much! Is Mr. Hata the guy who made the archives idol? I never really found a straight answer about why the archives book would show an idol that never appeared in the film!

No, the legend goes that Mr. Hata was the person in charge of the Japanese Exhibition that displayed Lucasfilm Archive props. Mr. Hata asked if he could have a copy of the idol and in turn the frowning idol was given to him. We suspect that the alterations were done at Lucas's request so that it would never be mistaken for an original prop. Since then, this idol has been the idol that is most readily cast.

The reason this idol shows up the in the "Archives" book is that the "Archives" book is actually the program for the Japanese Exhibition just made into a book. The original idols were either being replated during this time or unavailable for display and therefore were not sent to Japan. They displayed the Mr. Hata idol instead.

 

[thegreatgalling]

Wow, very interesting, thanks Fyfe!

 

[Jedifyfe]

I don't know if you ever read this thread but you should check it out:

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=43779

 

[AlHazred]

I love this board so much. It's like the Holy Grail of prop info!

EDIT - And you guys are like the Templars!

I'm going to stop with this analogy since I'm going into a weird place with it...

 

[thegreatgalling]

^Ha!

Thanks Fyfe, I forgot about that thread!

 

[WebChief]

The reason this idol shows up the in the "Archives" book is that the "Archives" book is actually the program for the Japanese Exhibition just made into a book. The original idols were either being replated during this time or unavailable for display and therefore were not sent to Japan. They displayed the Mr. Hata idol instead.

THANK YOU!!!!!! I've always wondered about that book and why it contained a photo of the "fake" idol.