Lot 56 - Simba RC Head and Remote | GORILLAS IN THE MIST (1988)

Sold Stock #38419 | Sold Jun 5 2015

Rick Baker: Monster Maker Live Auction

Lot #56 - Simba R/C Head and Remote

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Our expert's notes

A Simba mechanical remote control head and remote from Michael Apted's biopic Gorillas in the Mist. This fully articulating gorilla head was designed to emulate realistic gorilla facial expressions during filming. This remote controlled gorilla face is constructed of a fiberglass skull cap with interior foam padding, several servo controlled articulating face plates and wires, and a foam latex face. The face features realistic resin teeth and gums as well as a painted foam latex tongue.
This head was designed with articulating facial features allowing controlled movement to the upper and lower lips, nose, brow, and eyes. A puppeteer would use the included remote control to send signals to interior servos that operated the various facial features. The metal remote control box features four joysticks, eight dials, and a switch. The control box is labeled "Simba" and has a piece of tape stuck to it marked "#2 lower lip #3 upper lip." The underskull is presented on a foam head fitted over a metal pipe mounted to an 18" x 17" (46 cm x 43 cm) plywood base. The wooden base is marked "Simba Full RC" and "Pitler" in black ink. The head shows some wear from production, such as hardened foam latex, but remains in overall fair condition. Head dimensions: 15" x 12" x 14" (38 cm x 30 cm x 36 cm); remote dimensions 9" x 4" x 21" (23 cm x 10 cm x 53 cm)
$4,000-6,000 *Estimated sale price; sold without reserve

This item is located in London.