615: Remembering Legendary Collector Bob Burns

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Tom Spina recalls walking into Bob Burns' basement and seeing Darth Vader's severed hand just sitting on a shelf.

The episode begins with the hosts introducing the focus on collector Bob Burns, who died recently at age 90. They welcome guests Tom Spina, a prop restoration artist and friend of Burns, and John Mitchelig, an author who wrote a book about Burns' collection. Spina describes meeting Burns in the early 2000s after seeing Star Wars aliens in his book and being immediately embraced into his circle. Mitchelig recounts how he cold-called Burns after discovering he owned the King Kong armature, leading to a visit where Burns encouraged him to touch and hold priceless props. The guests emphasize that Burns and his wife Kathy were supportive figures for many in the effects industry, offering mentorship and connections. Spina shares anecdotes about restoring props for Burns, such as the American Werewolf face and Muftak from Star Wars, detailing the pressure and rewards of these projects. Mitchelig explains the process of creating his book, including photographing items in Burns' basement and the challenge of selecting which pieces to feature. The conversation explores Burns' collecting philosophy, which prioritized friendships with artists like Rick Baker and Dennis Muren over monetary value. Stories include Burns bringing the King Kong armature to a movie premiere and introducing Mitchelig to George Lucas, as well as Kathy's supportive 'mama bear' advice to Spina. The hosts and guests reflect on the informal, hands-on nature of Burns' collection, where props were displayed casually and visitors could interact with them. They contrast this with modern collecting trends focused on auctions and preservation behind glass. The episode touches on Burns' early influences, like his grandfather buying two variations of a 1939 Superman doll, and his work saving props from being discarded by studios. It concludes with Spina and Mitchelig sharing their current projects and a heartfelt reflection on Burns' lasting legacy in the film community.

As heard by us

A warm collector's tribute where King Kong stories open into the history Bob Burns helped preserve.

Bob Burns emerges as both a devoted collector and a key keeper of special effects makeup history in this conversation with Tom Spina and author John Mitchelig.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when Bob Burns, King Kong stories, and collector history sound better than another weather report.

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