20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Buena Vista, 1954), Kirk Douglas "Ned Land" Screen-Matched Turtle Banjo. ...

Description

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Buena Vista, 1954), Kirk Douglas "Ned Land" Screen-Matched Turtle Banjo. Vintage original custom-built and screen-matched whimsical turtle banjo featured in the 1954 adaptation of Jules Vernes' classic science fiction adventure tale starring Kirk Douglas and James Mason. Constructed of a fiberglass body in the shape of a turtle shell with a wooden neck attached with screws and a wooden headstock shaped like a conch, with real seashells for the tuning heads and a real conch for the pickup, studio detailed and painted to resemble the shell of a turtle. Measures 26" x 10" x 6" overall. The prop is a signature element and motif for Ned Land (Kirk Douglas), the freewheeling and unruly yet discerning harpooner recruited to help track and tame the mysterious sea monster threatening ships in the Pacific Ocean. Land constructs the whimsical prop himself and strums it during a rendition of "Whale of a Tale" while onboard the Nautilus (once shortly after being held below deck by Captain Nemo (James Mason), and once again after the climactic battle with the giant squid). This singular prop is believed to be the only one made for production, therefore making it an exceptionally rare relic of the highly influential film. Adding to its intrigue, the banjo has never before appeared at auction. It remains in wonderful screen-used condition exhibiting expected signs of use and wear including desiccation to the remaining latex rubber present in the shell openings, paint wear, chipping to the wooden neck and fiberglass body, and some loose seashells around the tuning head. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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