Monday, May 04, 2015

The Ghastly Hatter

"The room they were in was an unfinished attic, and as they turned to run out the door, another ghostly manifestation appeared and blocked their way. He was a cloaked figure with an evil, grinning face. A hat box hung from his hand…"

In 2009, Jody and I fabricated a reincarnation of the original Disneyland 1969 Hatbox Ghost for the first D23 Expo in Anaheim.  The figure turned out pretty swell (if we do say so ourselves) and a short time later we were emailed by a well-known film director who at the time was writing a screenplay for an upcoming movie that, we believe, will make even the grimmest ghost grin.  In the blink of an eerie eye we were commissioned to build a second Hatbox Ghost, but this one slightly different from our first—more detailed and much more spooky.

We were inspired by the  famous publicity shot of Disney Imagineer Yale Gracey with the early mock-up of the ghost for the Disneyland attraction:



Gracey's early version had more facial "decay", frazzled hair, and irises in his eyes, unlike the final ghost that appeared briefly in the attraction.  We started with the head and went from there.



Working late at night in our studio became increasingly unsettling as this new visitor took shape.


We sculpted his stick body over a steel armature and stitched together his daft disguise entirely by hand.
    

Lastly, a custom brass name plate for his base…


…and the finishing touch.



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What's next for old Hattie? We've heard rumors that his restless bones may soon re-etherialize in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, just as the moon climbs high for the Park's 60th Anniversary.  Although Jody and I had nothing to do with his long-awaited comeback, we are very anxious to see what may soon materialize in that dark attic corner.  Aren't you?

6 comments:

Kate said...

Can't wait!

HBG2 said...

You guys! Hey, the officially announced date for his debut is Saturday, the 9th, but the scuttlebutt I'm hearing is that he will actually appear on Friday the 8th, a day early. Subject to change, I imagine.

Unknown said...

Nice work he looks great. And I can't wait to see what appears in gone attic this year!

Unknown said...

I think you two should be in charge of the "Movie" AND the Parks!

Unknown said...

Beautiful work!! For this years Disney fix, we are heading to the West Coast (in 3 weeks) for the 60th! CANNOT wait to see him! It's a roadtrip from Colorado, and we will be listening to the classic 'Story of the Haunted Mansion' on the way there.

Unknown said...

This is nothing short of spectacular. I must know what materials were used to sculpt with. I sculpt in small scale and wanting to go bigger. any help would be very much appreciated. thank you in advance