The art directors of big budget movies look far and wide to find just the right objects to drive the narrative, create the right atmosphere or make a statement about a character's life and times. In some cases, they go so far as to design everything from the clothes right down to the customized glassware that occupies dining tables and bar surfaces. In most cases, though they purchase existing high-end glassware, glasses that are commercially available but tend to retail in expensive boutiques or glassware galleries. In this post, we're going on a trip through movie sets over the years to shine a spotlight on different drinking glasses that each enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame.

Notable Custom Barware from Hollywood Movies

A director doesn’t include a particular piece of glassware in a movie scene unless he or she is convinced it is worthy of a big closeup. Below are some prime examples of glassware stealing the spotlight.

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner may not be the highest grossing film of all time but it is undoubtedly one of the most influential as far as the look and feel is concerned. Director Ridley Scott has always been known for his impressive visual flair and nowhere was that more evident than in this sci-fi classic. Every last detail of every set was painstakingly thought through with no effort spared to create a compelling futuristic world.

A great example of the care that was taken to give the film a distinctive look takes place about halfway through when Harrison Ford’s character Deckard returns to his apartment after a hard day chasing AI-enabled replicants through the down-and-dirty streets of a futuristic LA. On his way to his computer, he grabs a glass and pours himself some whiskey. But that whiskey glass of his is no ordinary piece of barware.

It’s actually an Arnolfo di Cambio CIBI Tumbler, introduced circa 1974. Arnolfo di Cambio is one of Italy’s leading makers of custom glassware and still sells the Blade Runner whiskey glass through the company website for a tidy $165 for a set of 2.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Lost in Translation is a 2003 film directed by Sophia Coppola, daughter of acclaimed “Godfather” director Francis Ford Coppola. The story follows the exploits of a mostly washed-up American actor who, for reasons not fully understood by anyone, happens to be a star in Japan. The actor, played by Bill Murray, travels to Japan to film TV commercials for Suntory Whiskey.

Although the film did not have a huge budget it was important that the glass Murray was holding while shooting his character’s upscale TV whiskey ads looked the part. And so the crew decided on the Baccarat Massena glass tumbler. Yes, the same company that supplied the whiskey glass for Batman Vs Superman. And yes, they cost just as much as the Baccarat Harmonie glass tumbler used in BvS.

The Avengers (2012)

While it wasn’t the movie that started it all for the MCEU (that distinction goes to the original Iron Man), 2012’s The Avengers was the film that transformed the 2010s in the decade of Marvel. At the time of its release The Avengers became the 3^rd highest grossing film of all time after only Avatar and Titanic. The film had a budget estimated at $225 million so you know the art director would be able to select just the right glassware for any scenes that called for it. And one in particular did.

About 3/4 of the way through the film Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr takes a break from the alien-driven mayhem engulfing New York City and slides behind the bar in his office to pour himself a glass of whiskey (a bit ironic considering RDJ doesn’t drink) while he’s talking with Loki. The customized glass he pulls from under the bar is no ordinary glass. It’s called a “Maketh The Man” bourbon glass and features an art deco design with a heavy, fluted base. You can buy your own MTM glass on Amazon for “only” $30.

Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

When it comes to Zach Snyder’s 2016 “Batman Vs Superman” people either love it or hate it. If you were raised on the MCEU with its quip-a-minute formula you probably hated it. If you yearned to see Batman embrace his dark and morally ambiguous roots then you probably loved it. But even if you were a committed MCEU fan you could not hate on the custom barware in Bruce’s ultramodern alternate Wayne Mansion by the Lake.

In more than one shot during the film Alfred (Bruce’s trusty butler if you didn’t know) can be seen drinking from a Baccarat Harmonie glass tumbler. This piece of barware was not manufactured just for the film, but you’ll need a Bruce Wayne-sized budget to buy them yourself as a set typically goes for more than $500.

Conclusion

Movies are all about image which means that even seemingly unimportant barware must add something to the story by either driving the narrative or informing the characters. All the customized glassware profiled above played prominent roles in their respective movies, roles that continue to generate interest even decades after the films they were in were released.

If you’re in search of laser engraved barware or other personalized glassware for your home, bar or restaurant get in touch with Paykoc Imports. We have just the glassware you need.