“Jack could have fit the door” is a highly searched phrase on Google, and there are countless threads on Reddit dedicated to one of the most infamous scenarios debated in pop culture.
In the 1997 classic, “Titanic” Jack (spoiler alert) dies in the water, after being unable to climb onto the wooden panel on which Rose is floating. But whether he actually had enough space or not has been controversial for decades. The film’s writer and director, James Cameron, also weighed in.
Now, that famous piece of driftwood continues to spark interest nearly 27 years later, but this time for an expensive reason.
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Heritage Auctions announced it sold the iconic prop at an auction last week for $718,000 as part of a five-day lot that included costumes and props previously on display at Planet Hollywood, including Indiana’s whip Jones and the “Kingpin” bowling ball. “
“Often mistakenly called a door, the ornate structure was actually part of the door frame just above the entrance to the first class lounge,” Heritage Auctions wrote. “The iconic prop sparked much debate among fans, many of whom argued that the floating wooden panel could have supported both Jack and Rose, making his fateful decision to remain in the freezing water an empty gesture.”
The panel is made of balsa wood and contains curves and floral accents typical of the Rococo architecture that would have been popular in 1912 when the ship sank.
The infamous prop was created as a replica of an actual piece of debris found in the wreckage of the Titanic.
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The largest lot of Hollywood props, called “Treasures of Planet Hollywood,” closed on March 25 and grossed about $15.6 million. It is the second most expensive auction of Hollywood props and costumes.
The current reigning champion at Hollywood auctions is Debbie Reynolds’ 2011 auction, held by Joe Maddalena, which fetched $22.8 million.