I checked out Atlas Obscura for interesting places to visit in Madison on our way home from the Dells. And what do I find but this amazing horror movie prop house actually open to the public! We were greeted right away with an overview of what was in the store. I asked him about taking pictures and it was OK on that visit to take pictures as long as we didn't aim through the shop because there were several confidential orders being worked on. Anyone can actually buy items from the store or from their website or place orders if they are interested in something special for spooky season. You could certainly find some items in the store that you won't find anywhere else! read more

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Loved this shop!! So many interesting oversized props to look at! They make some right there onsite for TV shows & movies. Staff was very welcoming, helpful & eager to share insight into their craft & the industries prop needs. I will be going back if in the area again. read more

These guys were great, needed some prop gory legs and intestines for a surgeon scene at our haunted hayride. They were able to get them to me on time and looked great. Thanks guys! read more

This is a really fun place for anyone who likes creepy or scary props. I visited with a friend of mine and we were approaching Halloween so their stock was not as full as it is in other times of the year, but we still had a nice look around. They not only sell your typical Halloween scary props but they rent out some of the big, high end stuff so you can have it just for a party of film. The location is very non-descript, and you'd pass it by without a second glance if you didn't know what you were looking for. No windows, and you have to ring the buzzer to be let in. Staff was very friendly and kind to us and there were many cool things I wanted to buy. I'm going to return when the holidays are over. I very much liked their selection of replica skulls, as well as the life-sized T-rex skull fossil replica. The last part that's really cool is they are their own workshop where they actually make a lot of the big props they rent and sell. So it's cool to see the stuff they're in the middle of working on as well. read more

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Cool to see! Very small showroom but really nice woman working at the front! Outside is not marked much, but has a sign to look for. Fun to finally see this place in person! read more

This is the coolest shop I've ever been to. Makes me want to move to LA only so I can work here... The dudes that work at the Dapper Cadaver (best name for a shop ever - by the way) are super awesome. I remember stumbling upon the shop with some friends and they were pretty slow and could tell we were fascinated so they gave us a full on tour of the shop. They were able to show us some zombie-like creatures they were making for the x-files movie that came out a year or so ago. We must have spent an hour or more just hanging out and looking at everything. I took some photos and wanted to take many more but didn't for fear of being obnoxious. I told them I'd be back some day to buy a coffin. Ha. Lots of amazing props here. I could easily buy everything in this place... And plan to do so someday! :) read more

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This place has been on my mental "To Try" list since 2006 when we were gearing up for the first L.A. zombie walk. I kept getting sidetracked, and it's a bit difficult to make it up that way on weekdays since they're not open on the weekends. So was it worth the wait? Ooooooooooh yeah. First off, it's in a rather industrial, warehouse-filled area with train tracks right outside their door. Every few minutes or so, a Metrolink train would lumber by, while low-flying jets would be taking off and landing at nearby Bob Hope Airport. Dapper Cadaver seems almost nondescript, with just their bright green, coffin-shaped sign to tell you where they are. The entry way is filled with jars of formaldehyde with (fake?) animals inside, and there's this furry demon with bugged-out eyes behind the door. The front desk is a glass case packed with surgical instruments, and other cases in the lobby are loaded with other curiosities like Fiji mermaids, animal skeletons, and models for teaching anatomy. A photo album near the door shows some stills of movies and TV shows their "cadavers" and other props and set pieces have appeared -- "Bones" seems to be in there the most. The warehouse -- now this is truly something special -- is practically a museum in discovering what horrifying shapes they can get latex, foam, and rubber to form. The first thing that fell into my line of sight was a decapitated man in a floral shirt sitting on the floor, grinning head nestled in his lap. To the left there's a collection of bones, skeletons (some still semi-fleshy or burnt), skulls (there's even a giant fake T-Rex cranium), and funeral caskets in varying colors. In that same corner are candelabras in every shape and size, piked severed head optional. To the right are a mob of dismembered, burned, and cut-up corpses and mass-murderers in position to kill you. A gutted, naked woman with her intestines sprawled along the floor lays across from the smirking headless man. By them are a sarcophagus and a couple of mummies. Peeked behind them and noticed this menacing fortune-telling machine. Walk around some more you'll find torture devices, electric chairs, eviscerated and sacrificed rubber animals, and racks of make-up pieces and prop weapons. It's all fake, but in a sense you have to have the sort of constitution of a person who grew up visiting RottenDOTcom when his parents weren't looking and was desensitized early. The warehouse is well-lit, but the sort of place I think I'd freak out in if I had to navigate it in the dark with an increasingly dimming flashlight. And all of these gory, little friends they made? They're all up for rentals -- be it for your next slasher pic or Halloween party. On my way out, just had to buy a $10 shirt. At the very least it's a thanks for letting us linger in their workshop. I love these guys. read more

This store is a bit spooky in a fun way. It is a small shop crawling out of the underground of halloween b-movie inspired subcultures selling all sorts of things the appeal to the citizens of these subcultures and social scenes from which it came. It's got a lot more to offer than you could ever imagine in addition to the expected resale and retail clothing shoes and accessories. What you may not as readily notice amongst their wares when in the actaul store is the product that is first to grab you attention when vititing their online boutique. The website shows a lot more of the owner's amazing talents at horror movie special effect and other gorey props, which are being sold for those Monster Movie Scream Queens and Kings that have everything. The website also shares more information about the other aspects of the Dapper Cadaver... in addition to the Boo-tique they are a venue for events and a prop house... but I am only familiar personally with their business that give Me a good fix as a shopping addict. read more

If you're into horror films, halloween, zombies, medical equipment, the macabre, or ANYTHING cool, this is the place to be. Great stuff who are extremely friendly and willing to answer questions, great products at reasonable prices, and really good quality stuff. Even if you aren't into it for their high-end work for TV/Movie stuff, it's fun just to poke around, you never know what you'll find and may need to buy. Their fake weapons are outstanding! read more

This was another great place to shop for props/gruesome odds and ends. Ideal location to load up on Halloween decorations, espeically if you're making an elaborate haunted house. I loved the bin full of limbs. The layout is pretty much a mini house of horrors with a desk for the cashier and a workshop in the back where they've got several projects going on. The staff is really great and good humored. You can easily ramble about horror movies and they're always willing to cut you a deal. They're definitely enthusiastic about what they do. I picked up a framed black and white photo of a dog in a witch's costume and an urn that had a striking resemblance to the Hellraiser box. I had to ask if the urn had been used and on further inspection the guy said, "I would hope not. Nah, I don't think so." I ended up renting some dummys over the weekend for a very reasonable price. When I brought back one of the dummy heads the guy working there pointed out there was some water damage and that the head might be unusable, so he might have to charge me for that. He was totally in the right and I was just dumb enough to expose the sponge head to water, which of course absorbed big time. Anyway, he said he would look it over and they never billed me, which was nice. I wonder if it's because he didn't warn me about water or because I looked so depressed when I got the news...either way, the sense of mercy was nice- I could've been out an extra hundred bucks. Thank you Dapper Cadaver! Oh and traveling around town on foot with a realistic looking dead kid on your back is always entertaining for reactions. read more

This place is awesome. What a great display of horrifying life like sculptures, taxidermy items, bones , and artifacts. Some odd medical supplies as well. The art show / party last night was a blast. The drink selections were great and they gave out drink tickets worth $5 each which was nice. The music was pleasantly dark and totally appropriate. I met some very cool people there. We had a great time. It was a happy Friday the 13th! read more

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Such informative /wonderful staff . We will always make a stop here every time we're headed to Los Angeles ! If you're a horror movie fan CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! also, they have some stuff for sale . Shirts /medical beakers/stickers/shot glasses . read more

Love this place! They have separate rooms for the different themes: skeletons, large Halloween props, oddities, body parts, and more. There are items to rent and buy. I would have enjoyed staying longer to look at everything but am glad I squeezed it into my trip. My only complaint would be that most of the items I was interested in buying were for rent only. I would have liked to see all the rental items also be available for purchase. I only spent $50-60 but would have been willing to spend up to $500 to get ready for my upcoming Halloween party. Would totally go back again. Maybe in the off season when some of the items aren't already purchased. read more

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I only wish it was possible to give this business a 6th star. Looking to buy a prop or a body part? This is your place! Looking to rent something truly disgusting? This is your place. I could walk around the shop all day, and the employees are all fantastically nice as well. They'll answer any question you have. Stop buy, you'll be very happy you did. If you're into horror or Halloween, this store is a must! read more

This place is allot of fun. The store is separated into different rooms such as Curiosity, Skull, Halloween, etc. for your horror/prop desires. The store has a very unassuming entrance and you may feel a little like you are entering a building you probably shouldn't, but once inside the staff is very pleasant and helpful. We even got a tour of the different rooms! They do custom work with a fast turn around and have a super enthusiastic creative team. Whether you are in the market for Halloween decorations, a prop for your horror film or just looking for a good way to spend an hour, you should visit these guys pho sho. read more

Dapper Cadaver - Dino Room - Party Supplies Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Neat and cool doesn't begin to describe this place. Its a wonderland of gore! Dont come expecting to pick something up without dropping some serious dough, this is where hollywood goes for their gore! Of course if you wanted to make the ULTIMATE haunted house with coffins, body parts , plastic blood, babies in jars, giant tombstones, burned bodies, stone gargoyles inside out animals and a gigantic alligator...this is your stop! The staff is super cool and has an endless knowledge and endless stories that I probably didnt have nearly enough time for. Awesome that you can come visit their FX lab/showroom. Their resume is impressive to say the least. read more

Surprised (but glad!) they don't charge admission to this place. Definitely a MUST SEE. Staff is friendly and answers questions about all of the various props from bones, coffins, and faux mummies to freeze-dried dogs! In the back of the shop, employees were working on putting together some bloody-man-thing and they let us come back to watch! Super fun - thanks! read more

Amazing work! The collection in here is just incredible and so realistic. They also have good prices on the for sale and rental items. They do rentals for movies or parties or whatever else you could use a cool prop for. The staff is extremely friendly and Jeff gave us a tour of the facility. read more

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I could literally talk about this place FOREVER if you'd let me. You think I'm kidding...but I'm not. I saw this place on some Halloween show, and I knew IMMEDIATELY that I had to get my ass to California so I could go. I convinced my family to take a nice Cali vacation, where I conveniently suggested that we stop here. My pocketbook and parents regret bringing me here, but I sure as hell don't. This place is what dreams are made of. Every square inch is packed with something amazingly gruesome. They have everything from coffins to pickled pig fetuses. I just wanted to walk in and scream "I'LL TAKE ONE OF EACH!" But I'd be paying that bill off until 100 years after I died. Some of the items are a little pricey, but you can easily justify spending that money. I made my first run through the store and bought a model of a fetal skeleton, and two skeleton bobble heads (see photos). The girl working was incredibly nice and talked to me about all the tv shows that they made props for. A few of the shows were Dexter, American Horror Story, and Bones. The first two are my favorite shows on television, so it only made me more thrilled to be there. The girl rang me up and I paid my almost $200 bill. I then noticed that they had bone saws and other medical instruments. I just HAD to have a new scalpel, so she rang me up for a second time. She wasn't annoyed at all, which I would have been! Then the best thing ever happened. My mother came from the back room carrying a huge blood slide, and exclaimed that it looked like it was from Dexter. The nice girl examined that they had actually made that for Dexter, and Michael C Hall (the man who plays Dexter) had held it like a mirror in an old Dexter promotion. I damn near about shit my pants right then and there. I immediately claimed ownership and had the poor lady ring me up for a third time. The blood slide was far too big to bring on the plane, so I had them ship it to my house in Utah. It arrived quickly and safely, and I cannot wait to turn it into a coffee table! I probably spent about 1.5 hours just running around the store trying to figure out what I could afford and fit into my suitcase. I will be back. I don't know when, but I'll probably wait until I'm rich. read more

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These guys saved my ass this week. They came through for me on a couple fake arms for a limb amputation scene. They looked amazing. I am so thankful for Dapper Cadaver. read more

This place is a must! Found it here on Yelp and totally thrilled. I took my 6 y/o son and he was so happy. The staff is super friendly and the props are amazing. We even got a little tour of their production area where the magic is created which is two buildings down. Don't take my word, stop by. read more

Don't order anything online from this company. I ordered a dissection kit and was sent a USED kit it the mail. That's gotta violate some laws. I returned it and was reimbursed for the cost of the product but not for the postage I had to pay to send it back. My emails weren't returned, but I did speak to the owner, who basically said, "Screw you." read more

The Dapper Cadaver has earned FIVE*STARS from this Reviewer, and not because it's obvious grusomeness leads me to believe that they'll do strange things to me while I sleep for a lower rating. If you need some props or set dec for a horror film -- this is your spot. If you need a keychain with something that looks like a floating fetus attached -- this is your spot. If you need a fake casket that looks pretty real for a joke to play on your wacky stepsister -- this is your spot. What they do, they do very very well -- though I'm not sure how often I'll be popping by. But if you're looking for a storefront to gaze in at 3am while on mushrooms -- this isn't your spot. Or so I'm told... by my Priest... _C$ read more

I bought a sheep's brain and a model cell replica and their products are very impressive and genius

Just did a quick stop-by. Called ahead to ask about products and pricing; guy on the phone was helpful. Girl at the desk was sweet and knowledgeable!! Didn't really get a chance to look around, but it was an interesting place! It's summertime, so kinda warm in the shop...Poor workers, they need to crank up the a/c. Will definitely stop by again :-)) read more

Great prop place/ haunted house one stop shop. This place has some pretty cool items for your demented ideas for Halloween can come to life!

Bjs store is amazing ! Love love love coming here though I rarely get to because of out of town limits and never making it on time ! I highly recommend this place if your into dark and twisty !!! read more

This place is great and the staff were very friendly which makes all the difference. Lots of props and things you won't see anywhere else but here. The owner even rang us up and recommended other places to go in the area which was a nice touch. read more

SO MUCH FUN! When you first walk in you are afraid your are in the wrong place. Just ask the receptionist to see the retail area and they will show you to the "rooms". Each room has a different "theme" ie: oddities, animals, bodies, Victorian. Anything your little heart desires, they have. Hubby and I had so much fun walking through the different rooms and looking through the shops. Only here can you find a bubblegum pink opalescence casket! It was beautiful. A definite stop for the horror, macabre, lovers out there. read more

Excellent service, incredible craftsmanship, friendly service and open minded for your project needs. I am extremely excited to have discovered Dapper Cadaver and I will most likely not go with any other company for my prop needs! Ask for BJ read more

Amazing props, amazing staff, super cool things. Will definitely be purchasing from them for my Haunt this year and years to come!

As in a previous post by another buyer. Do not order anything online!!!They do not stand behind there products. Even spoke with the owner BJ who basically said oh well. No apology. No refund.Not how you should run a online business. Why even have one?? Beware! read more

If you come here expecting to purchase something be ready to drop some money but if you're like me and just want to be entertained by corpses, headstones, body parts than this is the place to go. It's off of little san fernando street, on the other side of the train tracks. The place is quite the horrorshow. read more

I've used their props for countless shoots and have worked with BJ for years. Crazy, awesome and original collection of horror and medical objects, unlike anywhere else you have been. Plus they can custom make almost anything they don't carry. Renaldo in the workshop is awesome. read more

Bottom line: Price was reasonable, but the product was not as pictured online, and customer service was extremely poor. I ordered the mummified hand-of-glory prop for a feature film. As pictured on the website, and as one would expect, the appendage should have been a hand. What I received was a hand plus the entire forearm. I did not order a "forearm of glory." The quality was decent, but again, it was NOT what I ordered. Attempting to be diplomatic and not accuse anyone of fault, I generously offered to pay a second time for what I had ordered the first time, in the name of not derailing the entire production. BJ suddenly stopped responding to my e-mails. From a filmmaker's standpoint, my experience has earned them a thumbs-down. read more