Melting Toht Candle

Raiders Of The Lost Ark: The Ark Ghost

Still one of the coolest special effects moments in cinema to this guy: the Ark of the Covenant is finally opened...  and ghosts appear.

Ghosts that make your head:

1. Melt

2. Implode

3. Explode

A while ago, I came across a neat ghost prop image online and clicked on it.  I was surprised to see a mention beneath the image that this prop was created for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.  I had no real memory of seeing it in the film, yet naturally I figured it was used for the above image, as it was the only close-up ghost shown in the film.  

Here are the photos:

Then I recognized some features and realized that this prop was indeed the Ark Ghost that melted the face of Nazi Major Arnold Toht (that's legit his name - I just looked it up two minutes ago [I had NO clue]).  The prop was buried under layers of special effects.  The end result is still beautiful.  And knowing that prop is a part of that scene is really cool to ponder.

So I had this grand notion that I would build a prop that looked like the above and then somehow create a pulley system (like the old days at my parents' house) where I would have this Ghost swoop down towards the sidewalk, and then get reeled back up to the window (Ark) from which she came (it's totally a she).

Naturally this concept turned into her just hanging behind some cornstalks, and glowing.   As kids came up for candy, they were focused on the Samhain pumpkin-head prop.  Then on Myers handing out candy.  THEN as they turned to leave, they would see the Ark Ghost (no one melted).

This was a fun prop to build.  And one of these days she might actually reappear and swoop down to the sidewalk.  Oh, to see that thing coming out of the darkness.

Raiders! The Story Of Fhe Greatest Fan Film Ever Made TRAILER

Silver Screen Ghosts

Neat information about the wonderful ghosts seen at the end of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. Those were the inspiration for my short Ghost videos on my site:
Ghost I
Ghost II

I shot those by pulling a ghost prop away from a camera, then played it back in reverse and in slow motion and fooled around with the levels and the clarity to make it blurry and ghost-like.


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