Where Hollywood's Printed Props Are Made!

Summary

The video explores Earl Hayes Press, a historic prop house since 1915, instrumental in printing materials for Hollywood films. Michael Corey discusses his mission to archive the warehouse's century-old collection, revealing original props like the Ecto-1 license plates and the letter of transit from 'Casablanca.' The conversation highlights the meticulous craftsmanship and design processes behind iconic film props.

Takeaways

• 🖋️ Earl Hayes Press has been a prominent prop house for the film industry since 1915, specializing in printing materials such as newspapers, license plates, and passports for the big screen.
• 👔 Earl Hayes initially started as a dressmaker but ventured into the printing business, partnering with Harry Warner to meet the film industry's needs for printed props.
• 🏭 The printing process for film props was entirely manual until the early 2000s, with everything from checks to dialogue cards for silent films being created by hand.
• 📚 Michael Corey has undertaken the monumental task of cataloging and archiving the vast collection of film props at Earl Hayes Press, uncovering a treasure trove of Hollywood history.
• 🗝️ The archive contains incredibly rare and historically significant items, such as original printing blocks and unopened packs of props, some of which were believed to be lost.
• 🎬 Many iconic film props, including those from 'Star Trek,' 'Blazing Saddles,' and 'Casablanca,' were created at Earl Hayes Press, reflecting its integral role in Hollywood's golden age.
• 📰 The company still adheres to traditional methods of prop making, making it one of the last of its kind, and has kept connections to the old ways of film prop production.
• 🔍 The process of archiving involves meticulous research and discovery, with many props being found in unexpected places within the warehouse, often in mislabeled boxes.
• 🌟 The archive reveals the intricate craftsmanship and design processes behind film props, showcasing the skill and artistry that goes into creating these items.
• 📈 The discovery of original props and printing blocks offers a unique insight into the evolution of film prop design and the technological advancements in printing over the decades.

Q & A

What is the primary function of Earl Hayes Press?

Earl Hayes Press has been printing material for the film industry since 1915, including newspapers, license plates, books, passports, and product designs for use in films.

How did Earl Hayes Press begin its association with the film industry?

Earl Hayes Press began its association with the film industry when Earl Hayes, who was a dressmaker and owned a printing press, started printing checks and dialogue cards for silent films after recognizing the need for printed products in the industry with his friend Harry Warner.

What was the process of creating paper props like before the advent of modern printing technology?

Before modern printing technology like Xerox machines, copiers, and printers, all paper props were created by hand, including checks, posters, stamps, and passports, using offset printing.

Why did Michael Corey decide to catalog and archive the collection at Earl Hayes Press?

Michael Corey decided to catalog and archive the collection at Earl Hayes Press because he fell in love with the place and wanted to help save its history and the difficulties the owners were facing in keeping the business open.

What kind of items has Michael Corey discovered in the archive of Earl Hayes Press?

Michael Corey has discovered a wide range of items including original printing blocks, unopened packs of props, and original documents from various films such as 'Star Trek,' 'Blazing Saddles,' 'The Rock Ridge help wanted poster,' 'Sound of Music,' 'Back to the Future,' 'Casablanca,' and 'Blade Runner.'

What is the significance of the 'letters of Transit' found in the archive?

The 'letters of Transit' found in the archive are significant because they are the last known surviving copy from the film 'Casablanca,' and they have been untouched for 80 years.

How did the process of creating props for films differ in the past compared to today?

In the past, props were created by hand and required an iterative design process with printers willing to make adjustments. Today, with modern technology, the process is more streamlined and digital, often not requiring the same level of collaboration and craftsmanship.

What is the importance of the original printing blocks and plates found at Earl Hayes Press?

The original printing blocks and plates found at Earl Hayes Press are important because they represent the original artwork and designs used in various films, and they can be used to recreate the exact props used in those productions.

Why did the Earl Hayes Press keep the first copy of each prop they made?

The first copy of each prop was kept as a reference in case the film production needed more of the same prop in the future, allowing them to reset the printing plates and reproduce the item exactly.

What is the significance of the 'Die Hard' bear bonds found in the archive?

The 'Die Hard' bear bonds found in the archive are significant because they represent a piece of the film's history and were used in the iconic scene where thousands of them rain down from a crane.

What does the future hold for the Earl Hayes Press collection?

The future of the Earl Hayes Press collection involves continued archiving and cataloging, with plans to share the discoveries online and potentially through future visits and collaborations.