Iconic and Frightening Prop from Cherished Jim Carrey Classic Fetches Over 7 Times Its Highest Estimate - MovieMaker Magazine

      It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when comedy films not only emerged from Hollywood studios but also enjoyed immense success. With sharp writing and often modest budgets, these films brought in substantial profits by making millions laugh in theaters, and one of the main contributors to this phenomenon in the 1990s and 2000s was Jim Carrey.

      The Canadian actor rose to fame from the sitcom In Living Colour in 1994 with a series of hits, including iconic films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. The following year, his successful run continued with Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.

      In today's era lacking full-blown comedies, these remarkable films are even more cherished due to nostalgia. Therefore, when a particularly notable prop from one of these films becomes available for sale, it’s likely to surpass expectations.

      Perhaps Carrey’s Most Renowned Films

      Among all his memorable films, a specific duology stands out as the most legendary, which is why the entertainment industry has recently revisited it. When playing online bingo games at Paddy Power, for instance, you’ll notice the rotating bingo rooms above a handpicked collection of slots, including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Ultranudge.

      When you think about Jim Carrey at his quirkiest and most exceptional, epitomizing 1990s comedy, Ace Ventura immediately comes to mind, and that’s what the slot game aims to capture. Filled with characters from the movie, including Carrey and Snowflake the dolphin, the objective is to land Ultranudge during free spins for increasing multipliers.

      It’s challenging for a game to distinguish itself amidst the constantly growing libraries of bingo slots, yet Ace Ventura retains significant appeal. In 1994, it grossed over $107 million worldwide. Demonstrating its lasting popularity, When Nature Calls went on to surpass $212 million in 1995, not to mention the substantial sales of physical copies afterward. This film has recently generated buzz surrounding a particular prop at auction.

      That Rhino Went Up for Sale

      In Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Carrey’s character is on a mission to venture deep into the jungles of the fictional African nation, Nibia, in search of a white bat. As he seeks “Shikaka,” he starts suspecting the owner of the Safari Club and decides to investigate incognito. One of his disguises includes a life-sized mechanical rhino.

      In the scene, Ace begins to overheat in the African sun while confined inside this rubber-coated mechanical rhino. The fan turns off, and a sweaty, naked Ace must find a way out. The only escape is a small opening beneath the tail. Listed from the Planet Hollywood Collection at Prop Store Auction, it was dubbed the “Oversized Mechanical Butt Birth Rhino.”

      As reported by Out Kick prior to the bidding, the starting bid for the rhino prop was set at $2,000. The listing suggested an estimated sale price ranging from $4,000 to $8,000. Clearly, the auctioneers underestimated the enduring affection for Ace Ventura. Ultimately, the rhino fetched $59,850, excluding the additional shipping costs.

      Perfectly highlighted by the new Ace Ventura game release and the impressive auction price for this prop, the classic comedy films remain cherished as a profound reminder of the time when producers recognized the audience's enjoyment of humor.