‘Back to the Future 2’ left a lasting impression

Published 10:55 pm Sunday, May 11, 2008

Age 10 was a pivotal year for Rick O’Connor.

His parents were in an alcohol rehabilitation program in California and he was farmed out to friends in Texas.

Then came Nov. 23, 1989. Thanksgiving. He’ll never forget it.

The friends took the three O’Connor children to see “Back to the Future 2.”

“The movie brought so much excitement and enjoyment to me during the darkest time of my young life,” O’Connor said. “I still remember the feeling of awe that I felt the first time Marty jumped onto the Hoverboard and was chased by Biff and his cronies through the Hill Valley courthouse square.”

O’Connor was hooked.

Some 20 years later, the accounts representative for the Everett AquaSox has amassed an amazing collection of “Back to the Future” memorabilia at his home.

But where to put it?

Three years ago, he bought a house with his wife, Chris. She said he could decorate one room.

“I was given the downstairs bathroom,” he said. “I figured, Doc Brown got the idea for the Flux Capacitor after slipping on his toilet, bumping his head and getting knocked out while hanging a clock in his bathroom, so the bathroom was the obvious choice for me.”

The loo has brushed aluminum fixtures, along with the towel rack, toilet paper holder, light switch covers and outlet covers. The paint scheme was taken directly from the “Back to the Future” logo: Blue, orange and yellow. He is an Internet shopper and browses bttf.com, a fan Web site.

Thanks to his nice wife, the collection has expanded to the living room and upstairs hallway, where he hung different framed posters, including ones from Yugoslavia, Germany, Spain and France.

The lot includes more than 500 items, including die-cast DeLorean model cars, snow globes, mugs, T-shirts, laser discs, pins, buttons, watches, key chains, magazines, skateboards and press kit photos.

There are prop replicas from the film, including a Hoverboard, Doc Brown’s JVC video camera, Marty McFly’s Panasonic alarm clock, Marty’s Nike Bruin tennis shoes, Doc’s futuristic glasses and a Mr. Fusion home-energy reactor.

“I even have personalized Washington license plates that say ‘MCFLYYY.’ “

His two children like “Back to the Future” stuff, too. His son Jonah, 4, especially loves the movie’s third installment.

When O’Connor talks about needing the huge collection, though, his daughter Alyssa, 11, rolls her eyes.

“I’ve been working on amassing a full costume, consisting of Marty’s 1985 clothes,” O’Connor said. “I have the Nike shoes, watch and vest, but there are two items that have eluded me and most of the other serious collectors — Marty’s denim Guess jacket and his white and black button-up shirt.”

The button-up shirt was designed by Shah Safari, founded by two brothers from Edmonds, he said.

His friend, Matt Farler, also a big fan of the “Back” movies, said he has been at the house when a new piece of the collection arrives in the mail.

“It’s palpable,” Farler said. “Almost like watching a kid open Christmas presents.”

When O’Connor gets a passion for something, it’s hard to shake him from his course of action, Farler said. His buddy is naturally competitive.

“I honestly don’t think he’d be quite satisfied if his collection were anything less than the best BTTF collection in the country.”

The thing that O’Connor said he is missing, the most important thing, is having his own DeLorean sports car.

Someday, he said.

And what about his parents?

Sober since 1989.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.