Ep 7. Hollywood Pick of Fame

In this episode of American Pickers: Best of season 5, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz embark on a quest to uncover Hollywood memorabilia at its best. The duo sets out from LeClaire, Iowa, in their signature van, eager to dive into the world of celebrity collectibles. Their first stop is in Michigan, where they meet with a knowledgeable collector named John, who takes them on a tour of his massive collection of movie posters, lobby cards, and film reels.

John has been collecting Hollywood ephemera for over forty years and is clearly passionate about sharing his treasures with others. As Mike and Frank browse through his collection, they marvel at the stunning artwork of the movie posters and lobby cards, which feature iconic films like The Wizard of Oz, King Kong, and Casablanca. They also get a kick out of the old film reels, particularly when they discover that one of them contains a lost scene from a classic movie.

After leaving John's collection, Mike and Frank head to Los Angeles, where they meet up with collector Henry. Henry is a former stuntman who has featured in over 1,000 films and TV shows. He's also amassed an impressive collection of Hollywood memorabilia, which includes everything from film props to autographed photos. Mike and Frank are blown away by the breadth and depth of Henry's collection, and they relish the chance to sift through his eclectic items.

Of particular interest to the duo are a few pieces of memorabilia connected to Elvis Presley. Henry shows them a jacket that he personally gave to Elvis on the set of Clambake, as well as a set of Vegas show posters that feature the King. Mike and Frank are clearly excited by these finds, but they're even more thrilled when Henry invites them to try on some of the old costumes from his stunt days. The show features several fun shots of the guys goofing around in outrageous outfits and props.

Later in the episode, Mike and Frank head to the Hollywood memorabilia store Profiles in History. There, they meet with owner Joe Maddalena, who takes them on a tour of his impressive warehouse, which houses countless items from classic Hollywood films. Along the way, Mike and Frank get a glimpse of the actual DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future, as well as props from The Godfather and Indiana Jones.

The highlight of their tour, however, comes when they explore the store's gallery, which showcases some of the most sought-after memorabilia in the world. Here, they get up close and personal with the original ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, which are valued at over $2 million. They also peruse a range of vintage toys, including original Star Wars figures, classic robots, and superhero figurines. It's clear that the owners of Profiles in History take pride in their collection, and Mike and Frank are tickled by all the fascinating items they get to see.

The episode ends with Mike and Frank returning to Iowa, where they share their latest finds with their co-workers at the Antique Archaeology store. They reflect on the incredible diversity of Hollywood collectibles they came across on their journey, and it's clear that they're excited to keep searching for even more rare and unique items in the future.

This episode of American Pickers: Best of season 5 is both entertaining and informative, showing the incredible range of memorabilia that exists in the world of Hollywood collectibles. It's a must-watch for fans of pop culture and vintage items alike.