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The Thing coffee table: A dedication to the cult classic for the film’s 40th anniversary

The Thing coffee table: A dedication to the cult classic for the film’s 40th anniversary

John Carpenter has said that of all his films, The Thing is his personal favourite. It’s also a favourite on one film fan who has spent copious hours recreating the spaceship crash site from the film as a diorama-cum-coffee-table in honour of the cult classic’s 40th Anniversary – a one of a kind movie collectible which is now available for sale.

Inspired by the 1930s novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr and with the tagline ‘The ultimate in alien terror’, The Thing bombed at the box office when it first reached our cinemas in 1982. It went on however, to achieve great success following its home video release and considerable critical re-evaluation. Now the film is often hailed as one of the best science fiction and horror films ever made and forty years on from the film’s release, despite only screening in 700 theatres over two days in the US for its anniversary re-release, the film made it’s way into the box office Top 10 last month. 

the thing coffee table collectible
The coffee table featuring a diorama of the spaceship crash site from The Thing

The one-of-a-kind diorama, handmade by fan Chris Younger, captures the moment where helicopter pilot MacReady (Kurt Russell), Norris and Palmer (David Clennon) discover the Antarctic UFO crash site and empty ice hole where the Thing froze.

The Thing coffee table film collectible
The Thing coffee table’s coaster holder

First, lets recap on the story

The UFO crashed in Antarctica 100,000 years ago, and became buried under millennia’s worth of snow and ice. According to The Thing Wiki “The UFO is first seen in the opening credits entering Earth’s atmosphere, in such a disoriented manner that it is implied that it was not even attempting to land, but had completely lost control, possibly due to the actions of The Thing on board. The Thing crawled out of the ship a short distance, but was unable to withstand the harsh cold weather and subsequently froze. It was buried in ice along with the UFO, only to be discovered in the modern day.”

The UFO crash site in The Thing (1982)
The UFO crash site in The Thing (1982)

Fast forward to the winter of 1982, and a group of American researchers working at an outpost near the crash site, discover the UFO buried in the ice. They encounter the eponymous ‘Thing’, a hostile shape-shifting extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates and imitates other organisms. The group become gripped by suspicion and fear as they realise that anyone of them could in fact be the Thing. 

A painstaking dedication to The Thing

Hobbyist Chris Younger has a background in making all kinds of interesting things like exotic wood rings, film related wall art, custom clothing and costumes but his elaborate story-telling coffee table is his first venture into making a model in homage to one of his favourite films. 

the thing coffee table collectible
The Thing coffee-table-cum-diaorma – seen from above

Standing some 81cm long and 50cm wide, this unique yet functional piece of furniture dedicated to the The Thing can hold your coffee cups and coasters, and is even illuminated.

the thing coffee table collectible
Side view of the illuminated The Thing coffee table
 
The Thing coffee table is modelled on the black oil drums in the film but is made from Flexi-Ply to save weight. On top sits 6mm toughened UV protected glass and on the bottom four legs with adjustable feet.
 
The pull out drawer holds five coasters made from acrylic & resin that resemble the petri dishes of the famously terrifying ‘blood test’ scene.
 
the thing coffee table collectible
 
A 12v DC plug powers the internal LED’s that illuminates the scene and the title letters turn blue at the touch of a white LED button.
 
the thing coffee table collectible
 
A plaque commemorating the 40th Anniversary of The Thing completes this piece.
 
“I’ve picked up a lot of different skills and experience over many years of creating artworks for pleasure. I’ve enjoyed challenging myself to create unique work that reflects the love people have for their favourite films” Chris told us.
 
The details:-
– Measurements : 810mm long, 500mm wide, 370mm high
– The barrel is made from Flexi-Ply, with ends made from Spruce
– The legs are wooden with adjustable slider feet
– The drawer is made from a spalted wood
– The coasters are acrylic and red resin inside
– 6mm toughened UV resistant glass on top
– 12v LED lights, Switch and DC plug in point
– The diorama is made from a foam base, snow powder and the saucer is plaster of paris
– Custom made plaque
– Figures are railway scale model, hand painted.

You can buy this piece, dedicated to one of the most loved cult Sci-Fi films for £1,850 (o.n.o) and is available for collection from Surrey, UK.

A perfect addition to any collection of The Thing movie memorabilia and merchandise. One thing is for sure, no other fan will have this in their collection!

Please contact us at [email protected] for more info.
 
 

 

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