Help finding 1930's Prop reference?

[darth_myeek]

I am looking for good 1930s/40's film prop historical reference books. Books about the makers, processes and materials are of interest. I am not even sure of search terms I should be using.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Coz]

This Blog has 'reprints' of old theatre prop articles, etc:
Category Archives: Reprints

Given how prop making has stayed constant over time (other than some tools), I'd hazard a guess that most of the info was still pretty current in the '30s.
Could maybe drop him a line.

Oh, and check the other articles too, they're great reads!

C,

 

[darth_myeek]

Thanks Coz, you rock!

Generically, I am starting with prop makers from the thirties, but am heading to what studio scale models were made from. I know they weren't using styrene & cyanocrylate, but wondered if they were using Masonite. Would guess basswood over balsa. Hope not asbestos :lol

Cheers,
Mike

 

[OB10]

Probably not quite what you're looking for, but the Thurston James books may have something useful.
Amazon.com: Thurston James: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

These are more for contemporary theatrical techniques, but there are some techniques that have been around forever. I don't know that he goes into much history... it's been awhile since I've read them.

You can also search through old Popular Science...
Popular Science - Google Books

... and Popular Mechanics....
Popular Mechanics - Google Books

I've gone through most of the 1930's and 1940's online (they're missing a few issues, sadly) and they periodically have articles on how "movie magic" is done, and they also have articles on theatre, puppetry, craft.... All sorts of amazing stuff! Some of the techniques are... dangerous. Cuz, yeah, they did use asbestos as a filler, not just for heat shielding. And boy, you can do some great things with lead! :confused And all before proper safety procedures. But there is some fanfreakingtastic info there, plus great photo reference if you're trying to do some retro designs. And it's as inspiring as this place. "You, mean, someone actually built that by themselves?!"

 

[darth_myeek]

Thank you Obi-Bob!