Wisconsin Life

– Angela Fitzgerald: At an afternoon matine in Sheboygan, [ticket machine clunks] you'll find moviegoers seeking thrills on the silver screen.

– Mike Miller: There's some movies where it's like, you know, pack them in.

It's a group experience.

[laughter] But there is something to be said about a small theater, and it's just you.

Me and this movie that I'm watching, it's like there is a connection.

– Angela: Before the credits roll, Mike Miller knows he'll be back here again.

- The first time that I see the movie, I know I miss so much.

I was easily on the 15th time, and I caught somebody doing something on the screen.

So, I really didn't see the whole movie yet.

- For Mike, just one set of films inspired his own real-life passion.

- I couldn't fathom what it would feel like the first time a stranger came up to me and been like, "Hey, are you that Indiana Jones guy?"

Well, that was really neat.

That was pretty cool.

Yeah.

["Indiana Jones" soundtrack] [horse galloping, gunshot, whip, sword clanging] - Mike has his own temple of treasures dedicated to Harrison Ford and the globetrotting archaeologist.

- When people ask me "What do you collect?"

I collect Indiana Jones memorabilia.

"Well, what exactly?"

Everything.

There's usually three reactions.

"How much money is in this room?"

"How many items are in this room?"

"And how long did it take you to create this room?"

I have absolutely no idea.

- From books and banners to movie props and pinball machines, this collection has sent Mike and his wife, Martha, on their own expeditions.

– Martha Miller: He's definitely taken me along on the adventure.

- I mean, there's pieces I know I've never even seen.

But then, there's other pieces where, "Oh, I remember going to get that piece."

- This standee is from Applebee's.

And in here actually, on the computer, and all of a sudden, I hear, "Applebee's, or whatever, go see the new Indiana Jones!"

[makes startled sound] I fell out of my chair almost, running.

What, what, what, what?!?

They all complement each other.

It's one collection.

- Like his onscreen hero, Mike has his own origin tale.

It started at a family gathering with his dad.

- I heard him laugh like I had never heard him laugh before.

[laughter] He was actually watching Raiders of the Lost Ark.

But once I found out what that movie was and everything, who the actor was, again, it just started coming all together.

- His parents bought him an Indiana Jones video cassette that sparked his curiosity, and then the rest was history.

- That might have actually been when the collector was born in me.

And I just didn't know it yet.

I became more conscious of wanting to surround myself with those movies.

- The magic of these movies quickly connected with Mike.

- The humor, the adventure, and how it seemed to kind of relate to my life, things that I was missing in my life.

- Several years after Indy's Last Crusade, Mike was ready for the surprising twist at the box office.

Two film sequels.

Crystal Skull was the first movie I actually saw with both my parents.

I got to hear my dad laugh again like he did when he was watching Raiders .

Every time I watched the movie, when a certain scene comes up, it's always gonna be about that laugh.

[warm synthesizer] - More films brought more memories and memorabilia and less house space.

- When we got our wedding picture framed, well, of course, it's going to go above the fireplace.

And then, there's a fourth movie coming out.

Well, that means more collecting.

- I get this standee one day in the mail.

So, I started looking around the house, trying to figure out a spot where it can go.

Couldn't figure it out.

Sat down on the couch, was watching a little TV, and all of a sudden, my eyes just kind of went over to the fireplace.

I just got to see what it looks like.

Took down the wedding picture, put up the standy on top of the fireplace.

- From then on, I was basically staring at the Crystal Skull movie poster-- only on a huge, huge scale.

So, I always have to give him a hard time 'cuz that's just my way of saying, "Hey, honey, I love you."

- As the collection grew... [clattering, pulling tape off a roller] they agreed it was time for a new home, [jackhammer, drill whirring] including his specially built room you see today-- packed with nostalgia.

It's like, "No, I don't want my home to be my museum; I want my museum to be in my home."

I was excited 'cuz it was just another adventure.

- Mike can't point to a favorite Indiana Jones piece, but there are a few he considers absolute gems.

- That is a signed photo from Harrison Ford.

I don't display it yet because it's almost like I'm waiting.

Once I meet him, then I'll put it up.

There's a banner that's hanging up in my room that my dad and I got to go get together.

And the wedding ring.

She's like, "Well, what kind of ring do you want?"

I'm like, just get me a simple band that says "Indy" on it."

- For Martha, it's a reminder that she's along for the ride, too.

- I enjoy it just as much as he does.

Well, not just as much as he does, but...

I do enjoy it.

It's gotten me to do a couple of things that I never would have otherwise ever done.

Got us to get to go to Disney World, Disneyland.

- I can't even fathom some of the things that I would have gotten through if it wasn't for her.

The bobblehead?

That was at my first Brewer game.

They had an Indiana Jones day.

She put it all together, made all the arrangements.

[crowd cheering and clapping] - In the past, Mike debated whether to continue this quest.

But now, he's certain about his future.

- I'm an Indiana Jones collector.

The movies may be over but there'll always be stuff to collect.

I don't really know if I would pitch these movies to anybody.

They're my thing.

They'll always be my thing till the very end.

My hope for everybody would be get out there, watch the movies, and see if you can make that magical connection like I did.

[triumphant Indiana Jones theme]