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The Goblin King LIVES!: Impressive life-sized bust of David Bowie as Jareth from ‘Labyrinth’
03.27.2018
09:26 am
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A bust of David Bowie in character as Jareth the Goblin King from the 1986 film ‘Labyrinth.’
 
The artist responsible for this remarkable life-like bust of David Bowie in character for his role as Jareth, the baby-stealing Goblin King who rules Goblin City in Labyrinth, is Alejandra Montiel—a talented young special effects artist and sculptor based in Vigo, Spain. I mean, even on my best day, no way does my lip gloss look as good as it does on his bust of Jareth and I am a real person. However, since this is a realistic bust of David Bowie as Jareth, I never had a chance to win this lip gloss game—because nobody beats Bowie when it comes to giving good (or in the case of Bowie, great) face.

To achieve the “is that thing alive?” glow, Montiel used an airbrush to paint the bust and resin for Bowie’s famous eyes—one blue and one black. If you’ve never heard the story about his eyes, here’s the gist: In 1962 Bowie’s buddy George Underwood (a one-time member of the King Bees, who did the drawings for the Space Oddity/Man of Words/Man of Music back cover, and the cover art for Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust, too) popped the Thin White Duke in the eye after finding out he was lusting for a girl he had set his sights set on. The fistfight led to Bowie’s post-punch diagnosis of anisocoria—a condition that causes one pupil to be larger than the other. In Bowie’s case, he was left with a permanently expanded left pupil which made it appear black in color.

Montiel’s excellent sculpture of Jareth will set you back $1,083.77 (USD), plus $104.55 shipping. It should be noted that it does not come with Jareth’s crystal ball and the white shirt pictured in the photo from Montiel’s Etsy shop may be slightly different than the one wrapped around the armless bust. If the bust’s pricetag is a bit out of your range, Montiel also makes a sweet sculpture of The Worm from Labyrinth that is nicely priced at $70.59. I’ve posted images of the Jareth sculpture and The Worm below.
 

 

 
More after the jump…

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Posted by Cherrybomb
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03.27.2018
09:26 am
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Firey plush figure (with removable body parts) from Jim Henson’s ‘Labyrinth’
03.02.2017
11:16 am
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I always found the Fireys AKA the Fire Gang from Labyrinth annoying. They broke out in song and dance and bugged the hell out of me. BUT they did do one cool thing, though: they could rip off their own damned heads and pass ‘em around like basketballs. Pretty freaky for a kids’ movie if you ask me.

If you’re a fan of Labyrinth, you might dig this Firey plush with detachable body parts. You can take its head right off if you wish and toss it around.

The plush toy is an official Jim Henson product by Toy Vault and it can be purchased here for $31.05.


 
Below, a scene from ‘Labyrinth’ with the Fire Gang:

 

 

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
‘Labyrinth’ becomes a board game, complete with ‘Goblin King Jareth’ figure!
Jennifer Connelly auditions for ‘Labyrinth’, 1986
Intimate photos of David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly & more from the set of ‘Labyrinth’
David Bowie’s ‘hidden’ face in scenes from ‘Labyrinth’
‘The Worm’ plush slippers from ‘Labyrinth’

Posted by Tara McGinley
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03.02.2017
11:16 am
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Intimate photos of David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly & more from the set of ‘Labyrinth’
10.11.2016
08:35 am
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A candid moment between David Bowie and his look-alike stuntman Nick Gillard on the set of ‘Labyrinth.’
 
As Halloween approaches I’ve become more and more convinced that this year will bring a cavalcade of David Bowie fans dressed as various personas developed by the Thin White Duke over his long career. Even yours truly is planning on “becoming Bowie” on October 31st and I’m so committed to my quest to look like Aladdin Sane that I’m planning on dying my hair bright red for the occasion. Now that’s dedication.

My month long homage to all things Halloween also includes watching as many horror films that I can fit into a 31-day period (which isn’t a huge departure as I’m actually a year-round die-hard horror film fan) and this year it seemed fitting to throw one of my favorite films into the mix: David Bowie as the unforgettable villain “Jareth” in the 1986 flick Labyrinth. Originally director Jim Henson was seriously considering at other musicians for the role—Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and Sting (as well as David Lee Roth and Roger Daltrey)—that would ultimately go to Bowie. Henson also gave thought to the idea that the Goblin King should be played by one of his Muppets. According to folklore it came down to Jackson and Bowie and after receiving a handwritten letter penned from Henson along with an early version of the Labyrinth script Bowie became convinced that he should take the role.

As with other movies that have achieved the cult status that Labyrinth has, there’s a fair amount of great behind-the-scenes legends associated with the film. Such as the use of juggler Michael Moschen who was responsible for helping Bowie make it look easy to twirl a crystal ball, and actor Toby Froud who played adorable infant kidnapping victim “Toby” (and the bane of Jennifer Connelly’s teenage existence). Fround actually grew up to be a puppeteer of sorts himself, a natural move as his father Brian Froud was responsible for contributing to the design of the set and the inhabitants of both Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal

Of course if you are of a certain age then you may even remember the massive marketing campaign that produced oddities such as Labyrinth-themed bubble gum (tastes like Hoggle?), a talking door knocker, and a bizarre hot pink phone card (released in Japan) with Bowie and Jennifer Connolly on the front. There was even a sweet belt based on the film that sadly never made it past the prototype phase made by Lee Jeans. The 80s were so goddamn weird and wonderful, weren’t they?

And now to the point of this post which is to show you some fantastic behind-the-scenes photos captured during the filming of Labyrinth (which celebrated its 30th anniversary this past summer) especially ones of our departed hero who has perhaps inspired your Halloween costume this year. In other good news, a new nearly 200 page book Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History promises to take an exhaustively detailed look at every aspect of the film from rare artwork, concept sketches and equally rare photos taken on the set. You can pre-order it here. So in lieu of what wonders the book will reveal I hope you enjoy looking through the images in this post as well as a video of Bowie as “Jareth” and juggler Michael Moschen trying to make Bowie look like he can do mystical things with crystal balls that follows.
 

David Bowie as ‘Jareth (aka, ‘The Goblin King’ the star of the 1986 film, ‘Labyrinth.
 

Jareth and ‘Baby Toby.’
 

35mm contact sheet from ‘Labyrinth.
 
More after the jump…

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Posted by Cherrybomb
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10.11.2016
08:35 am
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‘Labyrinth’ becomes a board game, complete with ‘Goblin King Jareth’ figure!
05.31.2016
01:49 pm
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I recently checked up on the progress on the excellent looking board game adaptation of the 1986 film by Jim Henson, Labyrinth by game maker, River Horse and boy, am I glad I did as it appears that the game is nearly finished. Squeee!

Today is the last day to pre-order the game which is set for release this summer in the US, UK and EU. Game play has two stages—one has players traveling through the labyrinth in search of the Goblin King while trying to not fall into “oubliette” (you know, the place where you put people to “forget” about them?), and the second stage pits players against David Bowie’s character in the film, Jareth the Goblin King, in an effort to set Sara’s baby brother free from his clutches.

In addition to the highly detailed game board and a replica of the clock Jareth uses to count down the thirteen hours he gives Sarah to solve the puzzle of the labyrinth, there are also five game-play figures modeled after key characters in the film, loveable Ludo; the dwarf Hoggle; the worst babysitter ever, Sarah (played by actress Jennifer Connelly), Sir Didymus and his four-legged pal Ambrosius; and of course, Jareth the Goblin King, as played by David Bowie. It appears that the game will retail for about $50 and as I mentioned earlier, can be pre-ordered through the end of today, here. Images of the soon-to-be greatest board game ever, follow.
 

Game board and the sculpted figures from the upcoming board game, Labyrinth.
 

 
More after the jump…

READ ON
Posted by Cherrybomb
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05.31.2016
01:49 pm
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‘The Worm’ plush slippers from ‘Labyrinth’
05.16.2016
10:03 am
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I would personally look like a damned fool trying to pull off these plush slippers fashioned after “The Worm” from Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. But maybe you could, or you know someone who’s a diehard Labyrinth fan who could rock the shit out of these?

Even though it’s getting warmer outside, they’re still perfect for these cold Spring mornings.

You can get them here for $50.13 + shipping.

Below, a short scene from Labyrinth featuring the The Worm:

 
h/t Alice Lowe

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
David Bowie’s ‘hidden’ face in scenes from ‘Labyrinth’
Jennifer Connelly auditions for ‘Labyrinth’, 1986

Posted by Tara McGinley
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05.16.2016
10:03 am
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David Bowie’s ‘hidden’ face in scenes from ‘Labyrinth’
05.14.2013
11:00 am
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Eagle-eyed redditor collectwin recently re-watched Labyrinth and spotted David Bowie’s well-placed, but camouflaged face in a few scenes. I’ve seen this film numerous times and have never noticed these wonderful details before. I guess that’s the difference between VHS and Blu-ray, eh?


 
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Jennifer Connelly auditions for ‘Labyrinth’, 1986

Is this the best sign ever?

Via reddit

Posted by Tara McGinley
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05.14.2013
11:00 am
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Velvet Goldmine: Black velvet paintings of David Bowie (and Billy Dee Williams)

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Gallery 1988 posted a few new paintings by Bruce White for its “Velvet Paintings for Your Inner Nerd” show.

Opening Reception: Friday, July 27th from 7-10pm.

Showing: July 27 - August 15, 2012

Gallery 1988 Los Angeles:
7020 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
 
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Via Super Punch

Posted by Tara McGinley
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07.24.2012
02:47 pm
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Is this the best sign ever?

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It’s certainly up there!

Thanks to Patrick Browne, via Mark Wood.

Posted by Niall O'Conghaile
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07.09.2012
05:32 pm
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Jennifer Connelly auditions for ‘Labyrinth’, 1986
02.22.2012
08:35 pm
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Another curio from the Jim Henson vaults, this time the audition tape of a 14-year-old Jennifer Connelly for the 1986 cult classic Labyrinth. You gotta admit Connelly totally nails this audition, selling the action with her own reactions when there is literally nothing there. When he speaks near the end, you can tell Jim Henson is impressed:
 

 

Posted by Niall O'Conghaile
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02.22.2012
08:35 pm
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