tiki statue – NEW YORK CITY – IN THE WIT OF AN EYE (2024)

Photo of the day: “HEY DUM DUM! YOU GIVE ME GUMGUM!”

“Hey dum-dum. You give me gum-gum!”: One of the most beloved attractions at The Museum of Natural History is “Dum Dum” the talking Easter Island tiki statue from the 2006 movie “A Night At The Museum” starring Ben Stiller.

‘Dum Dum’ is actually a Moai carved by the Rapa Nui people from rock on the Chilean Polynesian island of Easter Island between the years 1250 and 1500AD. Nearly half are still at Rana Raraku, the main moai quarry, but hundreds were transported from there and set on stone platforms called ahu around the island’s perimeter. Eleven of the 887 statues have been given to museums around the world and have become well loved, especially ‘Dum Dum’.

Night at the Museum (2006)

Larry: I give you gum-gum?

Larry: Gee, okay, you know what? I have no gum-gum. Sorry. And my name isn’t Dum-dum. My name’s Larry.
Easter Island Head: No, your name Dum-dum. [People screaming]

Easter Island Head: Oh, you in trouble, Dum-dum. You better run-run. From Attila the Hun-hun. [Larry runs as Attila and his gang are chasing him]

Larry: [on his second night at the museum] Morning, dum-dum.

Larry: Yes I did, fathead. [holds up a handful of gum]

Larry: Lots and lots of gum-gum.

April 13, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1961, A Night At The Museum, ahu, ancient carvings, Ben Stiller, Brenda Lee, Chile, Chilean Polynesian island, Dum Dum, Easter Island, film quotes, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, Moai, Polynesia, Rana Raraku, Rapa Nui, talking head statue, The Museum of Natural History, tiki statue | 2 Comments