Ripley Entertainment has purchased memorable movie props. It’s the pseudo-rhinoceros that gave birth to Jim Carrey’s character in Ace Ventura.
In the 1995 film, Carrie’s pet detective character hides inside a fake rhino to keep an eye on unscrupulous types in a safari setting. When the rhino’s cooling system, or fan, malfunctioned and the interior became too hot, Ventura was forced to escape through the rhino’s back as frantic tourists passed by. The scene is punctuated by Carrey’s trademark physical comedy skills and resilient facial expressions.
“At Ripley’s, we’re always looking for pieces that make people look twice,” said John Corcoran, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! exhibition director. World Entertainment said in a news release. “This unforgettable prop is a bold piece of Hollywood history that perfectly embodies the incredible spirit.”
Full size poles are over 10 feet long. It features a practical interior with chairs, a dashboard and a fan, which Ripley says is currently functional.
The purchase price was approximately $60,000 and it was sold at Propstore Auctions. Previously part of the Planet Hollywood Collection. The auction house said some of the figures were replaced due to age. Some of the moving parts have been modified.
“The latex butt skin sheeting was replaced, likely because the original was torn up for the photo shoot. The nostril grating, which had been missing since the photo shoot, was replaced, and some careful paint touch-up work was done around the body,” the auction house’s description said. Prop Store’s pre-auction estimates had the rhino expected to sell for $4,000 to $6,000.
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Orlando-based Ripley Entertainment says the piece will eventually be placed in one of the attractions. The company operates 26 Oditorium locations around the world, including Orlando’s International Drive, Panama City Beach, St. Augustine, San Francisco, Cancun and Amsterdam.
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dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
