The Thing (1982) Costume and Prop Research
Vandalia
New Member
Absolutely. I plan on building one eventually. I have a whole lot more on the way...Some great work amassing that impressive collection. When is the flame thrower arriving....
Vandalia
New Member
(15) The Coat of Nauls
Nauls is seen wearing a beige N-3B style parka throughout the film, but with a few notable elements, such as brown triangle pocket stitch supports, black snap buttons, and a silver zipper. The exact match I managed to locate because of the exceptional lack of a shoulder zipper pocket, present on military style N-3Bs. The brand is identified as Golden Fleece, and I managed to find myself one. Although, its a hair on the smaller side, it ultimately fits well enough.
Nauls is seen wearing a beige N-3B style parka throughout the film, but with a few notable elements, such as brown triangle pocket stitch supports, black snap buttons, and a silver zipper. The exact match I managed to locate because of the exceptional lack of a shoulder zipper pocket, present on military style N-3Bs. The brand is identified as Golden Fleece, and I managed to find myself one. Although, its a hair on the smaller side, it ultimately fits well enough.
TheWolfhound
Active Member
That is a great collection you are putting together. I hate the scalpel, it makes me cringe when I see the size of the cut they make just to get a bit of blood out.
Vandalia
New Member
(16) Streamlight SL-20 Flashlight
Throughout the film, the Outpost 31 crew are seen with very specific black flashlights. It took me awhile to find what they are, but they turned out to be Streamlight SL-20 Rechargeable flashlights. These were one of, if not the first widely used rechargeable battery flashlights in the 1980s. Popular among police, these were very durable tactical flashlights. There were two variants of the original SL-20s, and it has to do with the time and region of manufacture. Pre-1983 simply are stamped "NORRISTOWN-PA." and after 1983 they were marked "NORRISTOWN, PA.-BARSTOW, CA." I was exceedingly lucky to have found one of these flashlights after years of searching. Not only was it listed on eBay the very second I checked, including the charger and several batteries, but after receiving it... it was the pre-1983 style of stamp. Literally 100% accurate, both model and time period. All of that combined, makes it an incredibly gorgeous piece, and one of my all time favorites in my collection. There are several more common variants of the SL-20 flashlights, with various letter designations. The SL-20X appears to have been the next to be made, then several other variants like the SL-20L and SL-20XP, all of which are still made to this day or more readily available than the original.
Throughout the film, the Outpost 31 crew are seen with very specific black flashlights. It took me awhile to find what they are, but they turned out to be Streamlight SL-20 Rechargeable flashlights. These were one of, if not the first widely used rechargeable battery flashlights in the 1980s. Popular among police, these were very durable tactical flashlights. There were two variants of the original SL-20s, and it has to do with the time and region of manufacture. Pre-1983 simply are stamped "NORRISTOWN-PA." and after 1983 they were marked "NORRISTOWN, PA.-BARSTOW, CA." I was exceedingly lucky to have found one of these flashlights after years of searching. Not only was it listed on eBay the very second I checked, including the charger and several batteries, but after receiving it... it was the pre-1983 style of stamp. Literally 100% accurate, both model and time period. All of that combined, makes it an incredibly gorgeous piece, and one of my all time favorites in my collection. There are several more common variants of the SL-20 flashlights, with various letter designations. The SL-20X appears to have been the next to be made, then several other variants like the SL-20L and SL-20XP, all of which are still made to this day or more readily available than the original.
Vandalia
New Member
(17) MacReady's Microphones, Cassettes, and Drinking Glasses
To add onto my MacReady tape recorder, I had help from OutpostPilot452 regarding the identifying of the accurate Maxell C90 tapes seen on screen. We ultimately determined the correct tape to be the Hi-Level Bias "gold" Maxell C90 tape rather than the Normal Bias "silver" Maxell C90 tape, although both look solid enough.
The microphones I used were some "MEP" microphones I found on eBay, then popped the metal piece out, sanded the logo down, and simply re-glued it all back into place.
For the drinking glass, I was honestly just incredibly lucky at a local thrift shop. It's entirely unmarked and logo-less, but looks 100% accurate. Reverse image-search would likely be the best option for sourcing it.
To add onto my MacReady tape recorder, I had help from OutpostPilot452 regarding the identifying of the accurate Maxell C90 tapes seen on screen. We ultimately determined the correct tape to be the Hi-Level Bias "gold" Maxell C90 tape rather than the Normal Bias "silver" Maxell C90 tape, although both look solid enough.
The microphones I used were some "MEP" microphones I found on eBay, then popped the metal piece out, sanded the logo down, and simply re-glued it all back into place.
For the drinking glass, I was honestly just incredibly lucky at a local thrift shop. It's entirely unmarked and logo-less, but looks 100% accurate. Reverse image-search would likely be the best option for sourcing it.
Great catch on the tape! Gotta add one to my player!
It's funny how I probably owned several of these items back in the 80s.
Great job with the research! This thread should be invaluable to a few people, especially anyone inspired by Adam Savage's MacReady costume.
Great job with the research! This thread should be invaluable to a few people, especially anyone inspired by Adam Savage's MacReady costume.
Vandalia
New Member
Oh absolutely, tons of the items I source and purchase are just rare in the sense that nobody kept them around. Not always rare in the expensive way, just rare in the "damned if you'll ever find a listing" sense hahahaha. Adam Savage is always a wonderful inspiration. I have a MacReady very far along in the works, with nearly every item of that costume properly identified, or with suitable stand-ins. Lots of other character costumes I'm working on, such as Palmer, Garry, Childs, and the Norwegian... so this list is far from finishedIt's funny how I probably owned several of these items back in the 80s.
Great job with the research! This thread should be invaluable to a few people, especially anyone inspired by Adam Savage's MacReady costume.
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