I will open this feature with a disclosure – the original “Frank” the bunny mask original prop from Donnie Darko featured in the Profiles in History auction next week was consigned from my personal collection. I knew it was going to be on display at Comic-Con, but I never imagined it would lead to my meeting the actor who actually wore the mask in the film as “Frank”, Mr. James “Jimmy” Duval.
Jimmy had heard about the “Frank” mask being in the upcoming auction, and actually sought out the Profiles exhibit in order to see it and confirm its authenticity, which seems to have been a rewarding experience for him.
It was a somewhat surreal experience for me (in a good way) and I was thrilled to have an opportunity to spend a little time with Jimmy – one of the nicest and most enthusiastic and positive people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Jimmy was kind enough to spend half of the day Saturday at the Profiles booth to greet fans, sign autographs, and talk with people about the film, Donnie Darko, as well as the famous mask.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to memorialize the unlikely circumstances that brought about a reunion between “Frank” and “the mask” in the form of a short video interview with Jimmy about that iconic mask from the cult favorite film and his thoughts about it all… Being very authenticity-minded, I also thought it was appropriate to contribute this feature as part of the overall provenance of the piece, which also includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Pandora Films.
I cannot thank Jimmy enough for sharing his time with fans like myself. I’m passing on the responsibility of being the caretaker of this great artifact from our popular culture, but have replaced it with the experience of spending a little time with the artist who brought the character to life in the film.
Below are a few still photos from the signing:
Jason De Bord