Film star and accomplished collector of movie
memorabilia Debbie Reynolds announced that the Hollywood Motion
Picture Museum would be located at Belle Island Village. The
museum was the first major attraction to be announced for Belle
Island Village.
The collection is valued at
more than $50 million and estimated to be the largest private
collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world. The collection
contains more than 3, 500 costumes and tens of thousands of
props, movie posters, still photos, lobby cards and other items.
Original film clips relating to the artifacts comprise another
important part of the collection.
"The Hollywood I remember
well from my early years in the business - the real 'Golden Era'
is now gone," said Reynolds, who began her career in 1948.
"What is left of it in this collection should be preserved
and protected' for future generations," she said. Ms.
Reynolds has stared in such award winning films as "Singin
In The Rain" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
"The collection simply is
huge," Reynolds said. "Our museum at Belled
Island Village will provide a permanent facility where tangible
pieces of cinema history can be enjoyed by everyone and also be
preserved for future generations. As we continue to add to our
collection we will be able to present new items for years and
years to come."
"Hundreds of pieces of
our memorabilia - particularly various costumes and props
included in the collection - have never been seen by the public
since the actual films in which they appeared," said Todd
Fisher, CEO of the museum and Debbie Reynolds' son. We plan to
rotate exhibitions of our collection so that people will have a
fresh experience with every visit - not to mention
the fact that we are continually acquiring new items to the
collection that will garner ongoing interest.
