Guillotines, retro cameras, suitcases of the “titanic” … For 40 years, History for Hire has shone screens with its legendary accessories. But the future of the cult of cult rental house, which has provided elements for films like Famille Addams or Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodis uncertain. Property of Jim and Pam Elyea, in Los Angeles, trade is weakened by the drop in filming. The rent climbs, the staff melted in half, and the Elyea hesitates to renew their lease. The challenge: to preserve part of the material heritage that shapes the magic of cinema. “We are not ready to lower the curtain,” says Mr.me Elyea. Clap end or following the next episode?
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On the left, a life -size guillotine, stored at the History for Hire store in North Hollywood. On the right, a camera. For almost 40 years, this Ali Baba cave of cinema has been bringing the past to life on the screen. But the future darkens. Jake Michaels The New York Times
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Themed shelving in the warehouse of History for Hire, in North Hollywood. This is full of carefully classified treasures, a legacy in danger due to the decline in local shoots. Jake Michaels The New York Times
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On the left, Pam Elyea, co -founder of History for Hire, in the warehouse she has managed for almost 40 years with her husband, Jim. Times have become difficult for them: the rent climbs, the contracts are scarce. On the right, you can see containers and packaging of known brands carefully recreated by Richard Adkins, chief graphic designer. Each detail counts at History for Hire. Jake Michaels The New York Times
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A centenary pram seen in () and (). Nicknamed “The Landau of the Demonic Baby”, he sleeps today in the warehouse of History for Hire. Jake Michaels The New York Times
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On the left, canned people: enough to garnish the shelves of a supermarket in an period film. Right, bottles of Budweiser beer from the time. Here, even the format is measured to the nearest centimeter. Jake Michaels The New York Times
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On the left, carts filled with accessories at History for Hire. Customers place their finds there, marked with orange labels for rental. On the right, violins in profusion: enough to equip a whole fiction orchestra. Jake Michaels The New York Times
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