After many a Green Mile, Tom Hanks is selling the Airstream trailer that he has used on movie sets for 24 years.
The custom ‘silver bullet’ Airstream is expected to fetch anywhere between US$150,000 and US$250,000 at Bonham’s Quail Lodge Auction, currently scheduled to take place in Carmel, California on August 13th.
Mega movie star Tom Hanks purchased the trailer in 1992 around the time he was preparing to star opposite Meg Ryan in Sleepless In Seattle.
Hanks decided he wasn’t going to spend another minute in a “milquetoast” trailer while waiting on set – so he ordered the custom Airstream Model 34 to his own specification.
“I got it in the days when movies moved slower,” Tom Hanks explains to Bonham Magazine.
“I had spent too much time in regular trailers with ugly décor and horribly uncomfortable furniture, so I decided to buy a brand-new Airstream shell with an interior made to my own request.”
The Airstream trailer became the home away from home for by double Academy Award Best Actor winner Tom Hanks throughout a good portion of his career, following him for movies such as Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, You’ve Got Mail, The Green Mile, Road To Perdition, Catch Me If You Can, Sully and The Circle in 20177.
From the sets of Forrest Gump in South Carolina to Angels and Demons in Culver City, California, the Airstream covered several thousand miles across the United States, providing the actor with a sanctuary in which to relax, learn lines and entertain co-stars.
Its windows are adorned with replica film slates (clapperboards) identifying eighteen locations where it was used from Sleepless in Seattle in 1993 to The Circle in 2017.
"I didn't want anything built-in, other than the kitchen and bathroom, so it had only a desk and cupboard in the back, a futon platform on the floor, and room for a small table and chairs. I wanted a regular sofa, too, so I had one made with removable legs so it would get through the door," says Hanks.
Measuring 35'1" from hitch to tail, Hanks’ trailer comes complete with furniture you can easily fit through the door, a modest living space, a no-frills kitchen, a stowaway bed, electric fireplace, a rollup patio awning, and a compact bathroom that naturally features a 'Hollywood lights' mirror.
Also included is some incredible film memorabilia, including dishes, glasses, several espresso makers, signed mugs, and some kitchen equipment.
The trailer comes complete with a hot water heater and window blinds and air conditioning.
One of the air conditioners is autographed by Tom Hanks.
“An Airstream is gorgeous and cosy, which is why everyone who visited mine went away wanting one…" says Hanks.
"You haven’t lived well until you survive a movie-stopping thunderstorm in an Airstream while on location in Carolina.”
Find out more at Bonhams.com.
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