KOMakesThings
Well-Known Member
Nicely done! Also now I'm picturing you making a replica of Mombi's head to add to your cabinet (Imagine explaining that to any visitors who haven't seen the movie!).
Return to Oz (1985)- Fabricated and Real Props- Identification and Builds
- Thread starter OzReturner
- Start date
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- real prop return to oz
OzReturner
Sr Member
Ruined Emerald City Stone Lion Statue
After seeing her old Kansas house in the middle of the Oz woods, Dorothy and Billina find and follow the dilapidated Yellow Brick Road back to the ruined Emerald City. Melancholy music plays, and we see this single close up shot of a stone lion statue on top of a building.
As you can see, it's a squatting lion on a small plinth, holding an OZ shield. This is the only time we see it close up on screen, for maybe 2 seconds, then slightly in the distance by the ruined dome in the garden a few seconds later, indicated by the arrows. So, at least 2 were made for production, then. The one in the close up is the left one, I believe.
As these things go, I knew I wanted to add it to my collection. Being on the more obscure side of Oz stuff, I was surprised to find more info on it than anticipated.
Here is the original, presumably screen used statue, that can today be found at the OZ Museum in Wamego, Kansas. I hope to go there some day and check it all out. This is actually made of concrete, and looks like stone.
From this original, 10 replicas were made and cast in resin (for weight reasons) with a weighted base for stability, then painted. I haven't come across one for sale, but these are the original pictures, plus an old ebay listing from 2009, when these replicas went for sale. These, to me, don't have the same stone-paint-effect as the original, and look more like granite or similar.
One of these, years later, got put up for auction with Ewbank Auctions, with great reference photos, including dimensions of 23" x 10" x 10".
Utilizing all of these great images, I commissioned laellee to make me a 3D model of this statue. I am thrilled with the results! He made 3 different versions:
Here it is right off the printer:
I was going to try to match the colors of the resin replicas, and bought this Krylon Fusion Textured Soapstone spray paint. I was not impressed with the paint, and wanted to match the movie coloration more. Plus, it looked too similar to the gray of the print. So, this paint was abandoned.
The perfect solution was Krylon Fusion Textured Desert Sand spray paint. This gave me a great base color, plus the texture filled in a lot of the print lines without sacrificing any details.
I then weathered it with some Hobby Lobby oil paints, burnt umber and ivory black. This was my first time using oils for weathering (thanks to asavage from an Endoskeleton Tested video) and couldn't be happier with the results! It is easy to work with and very forgiving, allowing you more working time than acrylics, and greater control over gradations and subtlety. I feel like I've achieved a pretty good stone look, more accurate to the screen than the replicas from 2009.
Another longer build, and I am very happy to add this one to my collection. It's probably a futile wish, but I think it would be great to make a mold of this, and cast it in actual concrete, then paint it. The added heft would make it feel much more authentic. If/when I eventually make a full size, 23" version, I will be sure to post it here for all to see.
"Well, Billina. That was the Emerald City."
After seeing her old Kansas house in the middle of the Oz woods, Dorothy and Billina find and follow the dilapidated Yellow Brick Road back to the ruined Emerald City. Melancholy music plays, and we see this single close up shot of a stone lion statue on top of a building.
As you can see, it's a squatting lion on a small plinth, holding an OZ shield. This is the only time we see it close up on screen, for maybe 2 seconds, then slightly in the distance by the ruined dome in the garden a few seconds later, indicated by the arrows. So, at least 2 were made for production, then. The one in the close up is the left one, I believe.
As these things go, I knew I wanted to add it to my collection. Being on the more obscure side of Oz stuff, I was surprised to find more info on it than anticipated.
Here is the original, presumably screen used statue, that can today be found at the OZ Museum in Wamego, Kansas. I hope to go there some day and check it all out. This is actually made of concrete, and looks like stone.
From this original, 10 replicas were made and cast in resin (for weight reasons) with a weighted base for stability, then painted. I haven't come across one for sale, but these are the original pictures, plus an old ebay listing from 2009, when these replicas went for sale. These, to me, don't have the same stone-paint-effect as the original, and look more like granite or similar.
One of these, years later, got put up for auction with Ewbank Auctions, with great reference photos, including dimensions of 23" x 10" x 10".
Utilizing all of these great images, I commissioned laellee to make me a 3D model of this statue. I am thrilled with the results! He made 3 different versions:
- Half scale, one-piece, 12.5" version. This will fit nicely in my display case.
- Full scale, one-piece, 23" version. Not sure if a printer yet exists to make this as such.
- Full scale, 3-piece, 23" version. Definitely printable. Metal rods are used to key it together, plus glue and filler. Have yet to make this version, for space reasons.
Here it is right off the printer:
I was going to try to match the colors of the resin replicas, and bought this Krylon Fusion Textured Soapstone spray paint. I was not impressed with the paint, and wanted to match the movie coloration more. Plus, it looked too similar to the gray of the print. So, this paint was abandoned.
The perfect solution was Krylon Fusion Textured Desert Sand spray paint. This gave me a great base color, plus the texture filled in a lot of the print lines without sacrificing any details.
I then weathered it with some Hobby Lobby oil paints, burnt umber and ivory black. This was my first time using oils for weathering (thanks to asavage from an Endoskeleton Tested video) and couldn't be happier with the results! It is easy to work with and very forgiving, allowing you more working time than acrylics, and greater control over gradations and subtlety. I feel like I've achieved a pretty good stone look, more accurate to the screen than the replicas from 2009.
Another longer build, and I am very happy to add this one to my collection. It's probably a futile wish, but I think it would be great to make a mold of this, and cast it in actual concrete, then paint it. The added heft would make it feel much more authentic. If/when I eventually make a full size, 23" version, I will be sure to post it here for all to see.
"Well, Billina. That was the Emerald City."
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ClockWorkProps
Active Member
I want to print one so badly!
KOMakesThings
Well-Known Member
Wow, fantastic job! All at once you've convinced me I need to add a stone statue to my prop replica "to-do" list. The texture you ended up with is perfect, and so nice that you didn't have to do a ton of sanding to disguise the print lines. I'd love to give this a try... maybe one day I'll try making one of those stone goblins from the fountain in the centre of the Goblin City.
OzReturner
Sr Member
This was a satisfying paint job. Plus, I think oil paints smell good, so the statue has a nice odor, too. Hope to see a stone goblin in your thread at some point!
CleoTheMagpie79
New Member
I have recently discovered a product called Plastic Weld that gently melts the top layer of plastic. It is primarily used to fuse plastic together, but I have been getting great results of removing my 3D print lines with a gentle wash of this product which quickly evaporates. Currently using it on my Zoltar machine from Big scale replica, and element stones from the Fifth Element, but will no doubt use it on my next Oz project too! I hope this helps fellow 3D printers from hours of sanding!
RipleyL
New Member
I always loved that brief scene of the lion statue. It always felt eerie to me in the barren Emerald City scenes. Well done with the recreation!
This reminds me that I still want to recreate Spock's statue from Star Trek (see attached pictures). Your lion statue project has given me a few ideas on where I may want to for with it, so thank you for the inspiration!
This reminds me that I still want to recreate Spock's statue from Star Trek (see attached pictures). Your lion statue project has given me a few ideas on where I may want to for with it, so thank you for the inspiration!
Attachments
OzReturner
Sr Member
I agree. It's a somber, depressing scene- and the statue starts it all off. It really makes an impression.
Thank you for the kind words! I'm always thrilled to, in some form, inspire others with their projects. Hope to see the Spock statue from you someday!
OzReturner
Sr Member
*Update #2* Nome King's Hospitality Setup- Drinking Goblets
Please see HERE and HERE for the original posts about these goblets, as none of the info will be repeated.
I've been able to acquire a second boar cup, at a not-as-reasonable-as-the-first-one price. It's identical in every way, but this one is more weathered looking and patinated than the first, shiny one. Here they are side by side, with the new one on the left.
I appreciate them both having differing levels of wear. I like to think of it as the Nome King uses the one cup all the time, so it's more used looking than the ones he keeps in storage, only to be brought out on special occasions, like when he has hostages to taunt. The shiny one is his "holiday time" cup- rarely seen along with the heirloom silverware he got from his grandparents, and the turkey serving platter.
I also got for free from my workplace a not-at-all-accurate serving tray. It had the right amount of "old" look for me, and that's what I wanted for now.
2 down, 1 to go! I look all the time, and for whatever particular reason, completing this setup seems like a minor grail for me. I'll be selling one of the placeholder wolf cups, now that the real deal is in the display.
"...and hot, melted silver."
Please see HERE and HERE for the original posts about these goblets, as none of the info will be repeated.
I've been able to acquire a second boar cup, at a not-as-reasonable-as-the-first-one price. It's identical in every way, but this one is more weathered looking and patinated than the first, shiny one. Here they are side by side, with the new one on the left.
I appreciate them both having differing levels of wear. I like to think of it as the Nome King uses the one cup all the time, so it's more used looking than the ones he keeps in storage, only to be brought out on special occasions, like when he has hostages to taunt. The shiny one is his "holiday time" cup- rarely seen along with the heirloom silverware he got from his grandparents, and the turkey serving platter.
I also got for free from my workplace a not-at-all-accurate serving tray. It had the right amount of "old" look for me, and that's what I wanted for now.
2 down, 1 to go! I look all the time, and for whatever particular reason, completing this setup seems like a minor grail for me. I'll be selling one of the placeholder wolf cups, now that the real deal is in the display.
"...and hot, melted silver."
MombiSmith
New Member
I am just snooping again admiring your collection! I can't believe I just now noticed the bottom shelf piece of the lion with the Oz scroll (banner). Is that a 3D print image??? I absolutely LOVE it. I'm having SUCH A HARD TIME locating a bore stirrup cup and also the golden bird on perch from ornament room. I found the bird on Etsy but...it's in Europe and with shipping, it's WAY more than I can afford right now. I keep my eyes peeled when antiquing though. Your collection is AWESOME!
OzReturner
Sr Member
Thank you for the compliments! I periodically update the image in post #1 to include recent additions to my collection, so you very well may not have seen it in that image before, because it wasn't yet added to the shelf. The lion is indeed a 3D print, the description of it can be found here on page 5 of the thread. Boar stirrup cups come up often enough, but they are usually very expensive, fully silver-plated ones. I've found no need to spend the money on those. The brass bird is tricky. There exists lots of sorta-close-enough ones, I was lucky to find mine for a fair enough price. Mine was also from Europe. Keep looking while antiquing, you may get lucky!
KOMakesThings
Well-Known Member
Glad to see you snagged another boar cup! I took a peek at eBay and holy crow, the prices on them are insane. Kind of a shame too, they're so rad looking. If they were cheaper I'd be tempted to pick up a set just to feel fancy when drinking my morning hot chocolate.
Hi all! I stumbled on this amazing thread while searching for information about an item I found at a thrift store. As a long time fan of return to oz, this practically jumped into my hands. It is the size of a vhs, but seems to be a printed literal brick. I have found no information in my hunt, you’re my last hope!
I absolutely adore your TikTok figure. So well done. And the oz lion statue is at the top of my print list. Thank you for all of the details.
I absolutely adore your TikTok figure. So well done. And the oz lion statue is at the top of my print list. Thank you for all of the details.
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moviebuff5
Sr Member
Nothing definitive, but from the street date, it looks like promo material for the initial VHS release of the movie. Clever they used a VHS sized brick.
OzReturner
Sr Member
Nice find! Especially for a thrift shop! Yes, Jintosh and moviebuff5 are correct. They were promo items sent to theaters.
Thanks for the compliments! Life is busy, but I hope to get a new project started soon enough for everyone to enjoy.
OzReturner
Sr Member
Sand of The Deadly Desert
Dorothy successfully escapes from Dr. Worley's clinic, rafting down river and out to sea in a chicken crate, floating all night to distant lands. Upon waking up and looking around at the now-draining-arrival-water, she announces to her talking chicken, Billina, that they are in Oz, and are currently in The Deadly Desert. The effects of which are terrifyingly demonstrated later on, when an unfortunate Wheeler falls in and is turned into sand himself. Dorothy carefully hops to safety on some conveniently placed stones, preventing her from certain death.
Now, this one isn't really a prop, per se, but I got a sudden bout of inspiration from an unlikely enough source- a bottle of matches.
My wife gets gifts from coworkers that really have no thought behind them- they are more like "These will do" gifts, things that the givers found to be good enough. One of which was this bottle of matches. They are difficult to use, burn quickly, and have stinky smoke. But, they came in this fantastic glass bottle with a cork! It's about 5" tall and 2.5" wide, and I instantly started thinking of what to do with it. My Return to Oz projects are slow going, and I've been feeling like it's time to work on something less labor intensive.
I previously posted about my Powder of Life can, and how I duplicated the label as best as I am able using my limited Photoshop skills. Well, I felt like it would be a neat idea to use this like an ingredient bottle, since it looks so much like an old potion bottle or similar you would see in a witches hut. So, I modified my Powder of Life label into a label for Deadly Desert sand. It's not remotely a prop, but seems like it could fit in-universe, maybe in Mombi's head cabinet, perhaps? I also made up a backside instruction label in the same style. I'm not great at graphic design, so I just ended up modifying existing letters to fabricate the letters I needed. An N became an A, L became T and Y, etc. I included some easter egg type phrases on the back, for anyone who is interested. Y.B.R. I have standing in for Yellow Brick Road. I filled it about 2/3 full of sand from my daughter's sand box, and has a nice heft in the hand.
I printed them on plain paper instead of sticker sheets, because I did not want the backs, visible through the glass, to be super bright white. So after cutting them out, I soaked them in coffee for 10 minutes then let them dry before glue-sticking them onto the glass. This way, the backs look like old labels as well. Here are my labels, if anyone cares to try this themselves. Please post pictures if you do, I'd love to see them!
I feel like this was a fun way to include a memorable part of the movie on my shelves, since there really is no other representative way to do so that I can currently think of.
"It surrounds us. Last time I flew over it in the old house. Anything living that touches it, turns to sand."
Dorothy successfully escapes from Dr. Worley's clinic, rafting down river and out to sea in a chicken crate, floating all night to distant lands. Upon waking up and looking around at the now-draining-arrival-water, she announces to her talking chicken, Billina, that they are in Oz, and are currently in The Deadly Desert. The effects of which are terrifyingly demonstrated later on, when an unfortunate Wheeler falls in and is turned into sand himself. Dorothy carefully hops to safety on some conveniently placed stones, preventing her from certain death.
Now, this one isn't really a prop, per se, but I got a sudden bout of inspiration from an unlikely enough source- a bottle of matches.
My wife gets gifts from coworkers that really have no thought behind them- they are more like "These will do" gifts, things that the givers found to be good enough. One of which was this bottle of matches. They are difficult to use, burn quickly, and have stinky smoke. But, they came in this fantastic glass bottle with a cork! It's about 5" tall and 2.5" wide, and I instantly started thinking of what to do with it. My Return to Oz projects are slow going, and I've been feeling like it's time to work on something less labor intensive.
I previously posted about my Powder of Life can, and how I duplicated the label as best as I am able using my limited Photoshop skills. Well, I felt like it would be a neat idea to use this like an ingredient bottle, since it looks so much like an old potion bottle or similar you would see in a witches hut. So, I modified my Powder of Life label into a label for Deadly Desert sand. It's not remotely a prop, but seems like it could fit in-universe, maybe in Mombi's head cabinet, perhaps? I also made up a backside instruction label in the same style. I'm not great at graphic design, so I just ended up modifying existing letters to fabricate the letters I needed. An N became an A, L became T and Y, etc. I included some easter egg type phrases on the back, for anyone who is interested. Y.B.R. I have standing in for Yellow Brick Road. I filled it about 2/3 full of sand from my daughter's sand box, and has a nice heft in the hand.
I printed them on plain paper instead of sticker sheets, because I did not want the backs, visible through the glass, to be super bright white. So after cutting them out, I soaked them in coffee for 10 minutes then let them dry before glue-sticking them onto the glass. This way, the backs look like old labels as well. Here are my labels, if anyone cares to try this themselves. Please post pictures if you do, I'd love to see them!
I feel like this was a fun way to include a memorable part of the movie on my shelves, since there really is no other representative way to do so that I can currently think of.
"It surrounds us. Last time I flew over it in the old house. Anything living that touches it, turns to sand."
Really awesome work, thank you for sharing!
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