Remember the blaster gun from “Blade Runner”  we told you about in April that was being auctioned off. It was the one Harrison Ford used to kill futuristic humanoids in the 1982 science fiction film. Well, we learned today that it was sold this past weekend — for $270,000.

That’s right, in these so-called tough economic times, amid a recession, a buyer forked out more than one quarter of a million dollars to own Harrison Ford’s gun — or old gun. And it’s just a movie gun, a prop! Harrison Ford’s prop. We hope that whoever bought it really enjoys it, and we think — as we look at our own dismal 401k statements whose values dwindle every month — maybe it was a good buy.

Los Angeles-based auctioneer Profiles in History said its recent spring auction of Hollywood memorabilia sold $4.2 million worth of stuff once used for movies. An original 1931 ”Frankenstein” promotional poster sold for $216,000, and an archive of photographs from of MGM, Fox and Warner Bros. fetched $210,000.

Elsewhere, the original Creature of the Black Lagoon “Gill Man” mask from “Revenge of the Creature” was sold for $84,000, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Mr. Freeze” costume from “Batman & Robin” brought $72,000, and one of Harrison Ford’s costumes from “Blade Runner” got $48,000 under the hammer — obviously because you can’t shoot it, which brings us back to the gun.

It’s a movie prop! In this economy, people can buy houses for a quarter of a million dollars — even in California. So, why pay $$$$$$ for Harrison Ford’s gun?

As whip-wielding adventurer Indiana Jones  storms back into movie theaters after a 19-year hiatus in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, fans of the intrepid archaeologist played by Harrison Ford were asked in a survey by Blockbuster video to name their favorite scenes from his previous three movies. These came out tops:

1. Running from the Boulder (”Raiders of the Lost Ark”) — 75%.  An overwhelming three out of four surveyed chose this scene with Indiana Jones running from a boulder in a booby-trapped temple as essential Indy material.

2. ”Why Did It Have To Be Snakes?” (”Raiders of the Lost Ark”) — 61%.  This is Indiana’s first on-screen encounter with the snakes he dreads as he descends into the snake-infested Well of Souls.

3.  Shooting the Swordsman (”Raiders of the Lost Ark”) — 40%.  Indy surprises a sword-wielding enemy with his gun in this comic scene.

4. Mine Cart Chase Scene (”Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”) — 30%.  Indy and friends speed through a mine shaft to escape the Thugee cult  members.

5.  Monkey Brains and Eye Soup (”Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”) — 20%.  Willie and Short Round choose from a menu of floating eyeballs,   crunchy bugs, snake surprise and monkey brains at the Pankot Palace.

Reckon these are the best? Which would you nominate?

Welcome to the world of the movie junket. Ever see “Notting Hill”, where Hugh Grant waits around in a swanky hotel waiting for his few minutes with the stars of a new movie?

It’s a reasonable representation of the “junket”, a rather unflattering but nonetheless apposite term to describe the short TV interviews studios organise to give news channels and agencies access to stars. The reason: news media need soundbites for their stories.

 Today was another “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” day on the junket front, and the blockbuster which had its world premiere in Cannes has taken over the 7th floor of the plush Carlton hotel for the last few days.

Overhearing actor Jim Broadbent asking “how many more?”, I learned that there were seven, four-to-five minute slots left with 17 already done, and that was all by lunchtime.

Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett and crew all did their best to sound fresh and new at the end of a gruelling few days of media over-exposure, and bleary-eyed reporters waiting in crammed rooms and corridors shared the usual grumbles about life in Cannes.

It could have been worse. One early round of interviews here took place before the film was even shown, and despite the size of the operation on Monday morning, I was out of the hotel in under two hours, six “junkets” in hand.

Highlights from day 5 of the Cannes film festival: “Indiana Jones” reviews and a little about the film market.

Highlights from Day 4, and the premiere of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”

Highlights from day 3 of the Cannes film festival.