Bob Burns has monsters in his basement. And slugs, and spiders, and every manner of creepiness. And he likes it.

Over the course of a half-century, Burns has accumulated what is acknowledged as the largest private collection of film props, models, sketches, storyboards and other assorted goodies from the world of fantasy films. Almost anything you can imagine--from the steel skeleton of the "giant" ape from 1933's King Kong (pictured at right) to a work bench from the Batcave in Batman Forever--has a home in Bob's "basement."

Burns is not a speculator or dealer. His props were given to him by people in the industry as a means of commemorating the work of craftspeople responsible for movie magic. Effects pros know that in Bob's hands the items will be well cared for and appreciated. More importantly, they know Bob will share with visitors to his collection the story behind each item. Every one of his treasures comes with a story; persons lucky enough to visit Bob's house are treated to anecdote after anecdote from an endless store of memories. Burns acts as a living history book, full of the lore of Hollywood.

Bob's assortment of props and background material is a living collection which continues to provide ongoing inspiration to visitors. When effects wizard Phil Tippet wanted to use stop-motion models for the tauntauns in The Empire Strikes Back, he made a trip to Bob's to study the construction of Ray Harryhausen's Mighty Joe Young armature. For the new production of Alien Resurrection, Twentieth Century Fox "borrowed back" the Alien Queen Head prop for use in the new film and makes note of the contribution in their press material for the film. Recently, Bob was a guest on the closed set as a gesture of appreciation.

Bob's contributions to film magic are not limited to his prop collection. Listen closely in Star Wars and you'll hear the "brrrzzzt" of one of Bob's many toy ray guns in the scene where Luke Skywalker haggles with Jawas to purchase new droids. Sound designer Ben Burtt describes this as his "hello" to Bob---and, yes, the low-tech effect survived Lucas's high-tech "Special Edition" makeover.

Along with amazing photographs of incredible film artifacts, BOB'S BASEMENT relates, in Bob's own words, his life in and around the world of Hollywood make believe.

Some highlights from IT CAME FROM BOB'S BASEMENT:

The secret origin(s) of Major Mars

The tragic fate of one of monsterdom's great pulps, FANTASTIC MONSTERS OF THE FILMS

Who were Hollywood's great Gorilla Men?

What it takes to pin down Vivian Vance

How Bob Burns managed to wound and maim hundreds of soldiers during his peacetime military service

What it's like sitting next to Tor Johnson and family at the premiere of PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE?

The story of monster-maker Paul Blaisdell

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