ODD JOB Hat - New Prop & Theory

scaramangasgoldengun

Hi everyone I would like to unvail my new Odd Job hat replica... and yes this is an original vintage model from the 60's exact to the one used in the film. Well I think it is ) let's hope so.

the label and inners were ripped out, so I cannot find a name or maker etc, I did my best to restore it to some degree, and I did fit the steel brim accornding to the film prop that came up for auction at Christies. Hope you all like it. I found this hat in the treasure chest that is eBay.

I also have an english bowler with a steel brim which I thought was going to be my last replica but once I found the original model as I say I think its an original. ) I had to make another. I doubt I will ever come across.




So I have decided to keep this new replica as its more accurate as my prop replica. and get the english bowler signed by as many Goldfinger cast members as possible. So I will have a signature hat and a very accurate replica.


Ok onto a theory of mines and I WANT ALL OF YOUR OPINION ON THIS.! all of you prop experts and collectors. now Please! correct me if any of this information is wrong

The hat featured in Goldfinger, was a flat crowned (square crowned) Bowler hat / Black felt Derby as it was listed in the Christies auction catalogue. A total of 3 hats were used during filming. Each hat featured a different function. One was a plain version which Harold Sakata wore, another had a steel brim and another had a spindle built in, so it could be sent along a wire; this is how the spinning through the air illusion was achieved. Only the steel brimmed hat survives to this day and it was auctioned at Christies in London in 1998. It was moth eaten and in a shabby state, however it sold for £62,000 and the buyer was EON Productions and the hat is now said to be worth £64,000

Before Harold Sakata landed the part of Odd Job he was a Hawaiian Wrestler known as Tosh Togo. After Goldfinger Harold Sakata returned to the wrestling circuit but was now billed as “Odd Job” due to his fame from the film. He did in fact wear a bowler hat the same as the film version however it was not any of the originals used in Goldfinger. The wrestling hat featured a riveted steel brim. The only hats said to be in existence is the wrestling bowler and the original steel brimmed hat. The riveted brimmed hat came up for sale in the USA at Jullien’s Auction’s in June 2006 claiming to be an original from Goldfinger which was not the case. It sold for £55,765. This hat remained in Harold Sakata’s private collection after he retired from wrestling and film work. It was given to his Son Jon Sakata. The wrestling hat like original was showing its age and was damaged to a greater extent than that of the original. It was said to have eight metal rivets and tape applied to re-seal separation between the steel brim and the lower brim of the hat. see the rivited hat below



ok now this is the bit I am curious about. the original that sold at christies was all worn and bashed etc . then it was all of a sudden new looking and in nice condition and its condition seems to change now and then everytime you see it. if you look at the first images of my replica below them you will see the original at the time of the auction and when it was displayed at the London science centre. why does the condition change so much.... and another very strange aspect of the original ... notice on the Bond fan flub supplament. the metal brim looks as if it has been pushed through a slit in the brim . this would not make the brim a true oval, it would almot have to have a step shaped into it to make it do this... and look at the same hat below and to the right of my replicas first pictures.. the brim almost looks as if its separating... ?

any one else curious about this ?

also see christoper lee holding the original hat looking in very nice condition . compared to what it was in at the auction.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3174163/James-Bond-golden-gun-stolen-from-Elstree-Studios.html

8420

That is great Quatermaster brilliant well done.

scaramangasgoldengun

Thanks 8420 ...

I am very interested in hearing everyones opinion on the changing condition and look of the original

bondaholic007

I am still trying to find out which the original one is ) They both look the same

7289

Your replica is excellent, I would only observe that "Oddjob's" hat seems to have a slightly flatter top and a slight bend up on the sides of the brim.

It would appear that the metal liner on the original was masked by the ribbon on the edge of the brim, this has worn through as the "metal" is visable in the Christopher Lee photograph.

If the metal liner was folded up into the crown of the hat and secured to the hat between the decorative ribbon around the crown and the sweatband, the metal liner would be held fast, allowing glue or stitching along the edge of the brim to hold the liner to the brim.

As for the difference in condition. I would speculate that one reason is the lighting in the photograph ( isn't it always cloudy/raining in the UK? ) which masks some of the condition. Also the hat may have been spounged off for the photo shoot.

Again great job on the replica!!!!

scaramangasgoldengun

thanks for the explanation 7289 the lighting could be the factor on the hat ... as I had it is a display case lit with a light and when its off the hat looks like a different condition... like you said... My first thought was that... could it be possible that the hat auctioned at christies was not the original... or the one that went on show was not the original it was claiming to be... but I am sure it would not have reached that price without authentication...

thanks Glad you all like the hat...

and charlie your comments always crack me up . )

7289

I wouldn't be to sure that the provanance of any item put up for auction was beyond question. If there is money to be made you can be sure someone is in line to make a quick and questionable "buck" off the deal...

For instance, one collector who posted on this site claimed to have a screen used "Bond Pistol", complete with a studio letter that just flat was never used by a Bond actor. Sadly, when people see something they want, emotion rather than logic and research drive them to ignore warning signals and make questionable purchases.

That "stolen" golden gun is a case in point.

Shatterhand67

Awesome job. I would not have the patience to complete the projects you tackle so well.

scaramangasgoldengun

you are spot on there 7289. yes a lot of dodgy stuff in terms of actual screen used props has come up for auction throughout the years.. I was leafing through a Christies auction book a few weeks ago, looking at some Bond props etc ... and some of the items were unreal and never seen on screen.... being valued at rediculous prices..

Thanks shatterhand for your kind comments... I have added your website to my Links page which i have created recently ... you website is great I esecialy like the vintage toys section...

scaramangasgoldengun

did anyone else see all of these links appearing

8420

No what links i seen none.

scaramangasgoldengun

it seems to have been cleared up now

Shatterhand67

You are very welcome regarding my comments but you may have me confused with another Shatterhand variant on this board as I do not have a website. However I will take a look at it to see what my alter ego has displayed. I just want to give credit where credit is due and since I don't have a website I would be inadvertently / incorrectly taking credit for the work of another. Regards.

scaramangasgoldengun

sorry yes I have you mixed up with someone else then... I thought you were shatterhand of shatterhands bondanical garden website... yes his website is very interesting... worth a look.. good stuff.