Top 5 Famous Lost Media Artifacts

TV & Film

Apr 9

Lost items — Image Source: FOX 32 Chicago

Recently, Sir Paul McCartney’s first-ever Hofner bass was found after being lost for over 50 years. It was unknown if it would ever be found, but it just goes to show if you look hard enough and bring enough awareness to a search, nothing is truly lost. However, McCartney’s bass is not alone as several other artifacts, props, and even songs have been lost to the sands of time. Here are the top five famous lost media artifacts.

5. The Iron Man Suit From The 2008 Film 'Iron Man'

In terms of modern props and costumes, there are few more iconic than those featured in the MCU. However, you would think that in this day and age storage of such items would be better and more secure, but that is apparently not the case, as in May of 2018, it was reported that the Iron Man suit worn by Robert Downey Jr. in 2008’s Iron Man was stolen from Movie Prop Storage in Pacoima, Los Angeles, California. The suit, valued at $325,000, was stolen sometime between February and April 25th, 2018. An investigation was initiated by the LAPD, but there has been no update on the status of the legendary suit.

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4. Three Of The Motorcycles From 'Easy Rider'

Producers Bob Rafelson and Peter Fonda and Director Dennis Hopper helped to popularize motorcycle culture immensely with their 1969 film Easy Rider, but one thing they probably didn't anticipate was when three of the bikes were stolen from a storage garage prior to the film's release. The only bike that was left behind was the partially destroyed Captain America bike, which sold at auction in 2014 for $1.35 million. Though the whereabouts of the three stolen bikes are unknown, it has been theorized that they were stripped for parts. Check your garages, dear motorcyclist readers!

3. The Buzzy Animatronic From Epcot's 'Cranium Command'

Before Disney's EPCOT theme park became known for its constantly up-construction walls, it actually had something of an educational purpose, with each of its pavilions teaching a different concept. One of these was The Wonders of Life Pavilion, which focused on the human body. One of the more famous attractions in it was Cranium Command. This show was essentially Inside Out before Inside Out. It had the viewers go inside the brain of an adolescent boy as he went through his normal day. Featured in this were the logical left brain (played by Charles Grodin), the wacky right brain (played by Jon Lovitz), the panicky bladder or also referred to as “Elimination” (played by an uncredited Jeff Doucette), the hungry stomach (played by George Wendt), overreacting Adrenal Gland (played by Bobcat Goldthwait), and the heart's left and right ventricles (played by Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon in their SNL roles Hans and Franz). These bodily functions are regulated by the monotone Hypothalamus (voiced by Kirk Wise). Leading the charge is a soldier named Buzzy (voiced by Scott Curtis). Buzzy and the Hypothalamus are audio-animatronics, while the others are represented on screens. The attraction and The Wonders of Life Pavilion opened in 1989 and closed in 2007.

However, for many years the pavilion was used for the Food and Wine Festival held at EPCOT, and the show's stage was left untouched and became a popular destination for urban explorers. This was limited to mostly just people exploring the old stage, but in late 2017, it was reported that the Buzzy Animatronic was missing. While some thought it was moved by a Disney World cast member, others were quick to point out that hydraulic lines were cut and were leaking oil onto the floor, meaning that whoever did this was not concerned about leaving a mess. The animatronic's clothing was also reported missing according to an Orange County Police report. These included a bomber jacket, a pair of headphones, and a green hat. All of these were worth a total of $6,000. A public movement started on social media to find Buzzy. While Disney's main suspect, Patrick Spikes (also known as Backdoor Disney), was apprehended alongside Spike’s cousin, the animatronic’s whereabouts are still unknown.

2. The Beatles’ “Carnival of Light”

This one almost doesn't count since technically it isn't lost but rather unreleased, but when else are we gonna get to talk about this? “Carnival of Light” is an experimental piece of music created for The Million Volt Light and Sound Rave in 1967. The idea for the piece came about when Paul McCartney was approached by designer David Vaughn in December of 1966 to contribute a recording to the event at the Roundhouse venue in Camden, London, England. McCartney agreed, and during one of the recording sessions for “Penny Lane,” McCartney asked the band to indulge him on this request, as he recalled in a later interview:

"I said all I want you to do is just wander around all the stuff, bang it, shout, play it, it doesn't need to make any sense. Hit a drum then wander on to the piano, hit a few notes, just wander around.”

So, The Fab Four did just that, and what came from this was about 14-15 minutes of chaos. The track contains distorted guitars, organ, and band members shouting random phrases such as “Barcelona!” or “Are you alright?” It was only played once at the festival and never included in any official Beatles release. McCartney wanted to include it on The Beatles Anthology project but was vetoed by George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and producer George Martin. Why this technically isn't lost is due to the fact that McCartney still has the master tape. He does hope to release it someday, and it is seen as the holy grail of lost or unreleased Beatles material.

1. The Map To One-Eyed Willy’s Treasure From 'The Goonies'

This one was so close to being not lost, as originally, it was in the hands of one of the film's stars, Sean Astin (Mikey). The young child star of the 80’s classic The Goonies couldn't resist taking One-Eyed Willy’s treasure map home as a souvenir. However, it seems that it may have been lost in between Astin moving to London to film Memphis Belle and his mother, the late Patty Duke, selling their house during this time.

"I think my mom threw it out. Although I may owe her an apology," Astin recalled. "Maybe one of my friends took it from my room. Who knows."

So while it's not confirmed, the original treasure map from the 80's classic The Goonies may have met its end in a landfill. Quite the unfortunate end for such an iconic prop

This is only scratching the surface of what might still be out there. So, dear readers, check your garages, your attics, and even your trash cans, because there may be a piece of history lingering.

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