Colonial Heights resident acquires authentic movie/TV props, costumes: Shares collection

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Local artist Henry E. Kidd has a passion beyond drawing and painting. He collects authentic movie/TV memorabilia.

"I have always loved the movies. They are our current mythological tales," Kidd said. "People gravitate to the movies, and it is nice to see their pleasure as they find a piece of one of their favorite movies among my collection. I am happy to share them with the community to see rare items up close."

Part of Kidd's collection is on exhibit at Side Street Gallery in the Pickwick Shopping Center. His quest to collect began in the late 80s. His first acquisition was a movie prop, a key to the future and past.

"I bought the key to H.G. Wells’s time machine from the 1979 movie 'Time after Time’ starring Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen. H.G. Wells [Malcolm McDowell] built a time machine and planned on using it to travel to the future. But before he can, Jack the Ripper [David Warner] uses it to escape and travel to 1979," Kidd shared. "Wells follows and enlists the help of Amy [Steenburgen] to catch Jack before he continues his killing spree. As they work together, Amy has a hard time believing his wild story of time travel."

The Colonial Heights resident acquires most of the collectibles from movie studio warehouses and auction sights who deal directly with the studios. Kidd's most prized possessions out of his collection were worn by Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife portrayed by the late Don Knotts.

"I grew up with TV from the 50s and 60s. One of my all-time favorites, and still is, was 'The Andy Griffith Show’ starring Andy Griffith and Don Knotts," Kidd said. "I was fortunate enough to acquire Don Knotts’s police hat, badge and motorcycle helmet."

What is Kidd's most valuable piece in his collection?

"I have many valuable pieces, but I believe the most valuable is Knotts’s police hat," Kidd said.

Kidd's Barney Fife hat, badge and helmet were once on exhibit at The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C. There are numerous items he would like to add to his outstanding collection.

"I got outbid on James Bond’s license plate from his famous Aston Martin DB5 [British grand tourer]," Kidd said. "I hope to get more props associated with major actors from the past and present. I also almost had Frank Sinatra’s hat from 'Von Ryan’s Express' [1965 World War II adventure film]."

Side Street Gallery: Movie/TV props, costumes exhibit

Kidd's collection is a must-see, and his storytelling is a must-hear. His collection of movie/TV props is pretty darn cool, and his costume display is awesome. The props/costumes were featured in the following movies/TV shows:

• "Saving Private Ryan"

• HBO's "Band of Brothers"

• "Pacific"

• "Sands of Iwo Jima"

• "Terminator: Dark Fate"

• "MASH"

• "Star Trek: Picard"

• "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"

• "The Legend of Zorro"

• "GoldenEye"

• "Lincoln"

• "Gettysburg"

• "Gods and Generals"

• "Stargate SG-1"

• "Lost in Space"

• "Zulu"

• "Spartacus"

• "Halo"

• "Time After Time"

Kidd's props/costumes were used/worn by the following actors/actresses:

• Steven Spielberg

• John Wayne

• Tom Hanks

• Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Pierce Brosnan

• Mel Gibson

• Matthew McConaughey

• Patrick Stewart

• Jeri Ryan

• Sam Elliott

• Catherine Zeta Jones

• Malcolm McDowell

• Mary Steenburgen

• Martin Sheen

• Richard Dean Anderson

• Amanda Tapping

• Molly Parker

• Alan Alda

• Robert Duvall

• Daniel Day-Lewis

Henry Kidd: Artist, actor, film buff

Kidd starred in Steven Spielberg's movie "Lincoln" which was filmed partly in Petersburg and Richmond. He created a memory board with props/images to remember his movie-making moment.

"I played a republican congressman. Although, I did not have a speaking part, you can, as painful as it is, hear me singing," Kidd quipped. "I was hired as an extra but got hired as a principal actor when they found out that I knew what the rebel yell sounded like."

Kidd received screen credit as a representative as well as a rebel yeller. He also appeared in the following movies: "The Day They Shot Lincoln," "Killing Lincoln," "Gettysburg," "Gods and Generals" and Hallmark’s "The Love Letter."

"I once played the preacher who married Robert E. Lee’s parents," Kidd shared. "I'm a huge 'Star Trek' fan and own phasers and costumes worn by some of the major cast."

Kidd has always liked accurate war movies and has acquired prop weapons from "Band of Brothers," HBO’s "Pacific," "Saving Private Ryan" and the "Sands of Iwo Jima."

"I'm the proud owner of one of The Duke's holsters," Kidd excitedly said. "Oh, and I also have many 'Terminator' props and wardrobes, maybe even one worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger."

Once a pharmacy, Side Street Gallery was used for a pharmacy break-in scene in Episode 3 of the miniseries "Dopesick." Located at 135 Pickwick Ave., the gallery is open Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Follow them on Facebook at Side Street Gallery & Gifts.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Colonial Heights resident acquires authentic movie/TV memorabilia