Ray Harryhausen, a Pioneer in Special Effects
Animating Artist Extraordinaire
When monsters become real
And give childhood thrills
And amuse adults
Reel after reel,
He kept the audience in house
Hour after hour
Did Ray Harryhausen.
Chilling were the skeletons
Wielding shields and slashing swords
Popping up from a soil
Planted with dragon’s teeth,
A gorgon whose spitting snakes as hair
Could freeze a child
In a theater chair,
Sad, one-eyed cyclops tricked
And blinded by the hero Jason,
Venusian monster battles elephant
On the streets of Rome,
Wise and funny mechanical owl
Of Athena, winged Pegasus
And all the rest came alive
Before our eyes.
Oh, CGI is great in creating
Many stunning worlds of fantasy
And science run amok,
Elves and transformers,
Godzillas and t-rex,
Spaceships and avatars
Flick across our many screens,
But none have managed yet to emulate
The unique and magic creatures he’d create
Through stop-motion animation,
Drawn forth from inspiration’s heart and mind
By Ray Harryhausen, the dynamator,
Film special effects extraordinare generator!
©2023 Carl Scott Harker, author of The Hedgehog and other Selected Poems.
Ray Harryhausen (1920–2013) was an American pioneer of visual effects in movies His creative work in stop-motion animation for fantasy and science fiction films amazed audience for a generation. He was born on June 29, 1920, in Los Angeles, California, and developed a passion for animation and special effects from a young age.
Harryhausen’s work became widely recognized for its distinctive style and craftsmanship. He employed a technique called “Dynamation,” which involved combining live-action footage with stop-motion animation to create seamless and fantastical scenes. His most notable contributions to cinema include the animation of various creatures such as dinosaurs, monsters, and mythological beings.
For monstersx made real see some of Ray Harryhausen’s most celebrated films include:
“Mighty Joe Young” (1949): Although not directed by Harryhausen, he played a crucial role in the special effects for this film, which revolves around a giant ape.
“The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms” (1953): This film features a prehistoric creature awakened by atomic testing, and it marks one of Harryhausen’s early major contributions to the genre.
“It Came from Beneath the Sea” (1955): In this film, a giant octopus attacks San Francisco, and Harryhausen’s stop-motion animation brings the creature to life.
“Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” (1956): The story involves an alien invasion, and Harryhausen’s effects include the animated flying saucers.
“20 Million Miles to Earth” (1957): This film explores the consequences of an American spaceship bringing back a creature from Venus, and Harryhausen’s stop-motion work is a highlight.
“The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” (1958): A classic fantasy adventure featuring Sinbad encountering various mythological creatures brought to life through Harryhausen’s stop-motion animation.
“Jason and the Argonauts” (1963): Regarded as one of Harryhausen’s masterpieces, this film features an epic quest and showcases the famous skeleton sword-fighting sequence.
“First Men in the Moon” (1964): Based on H.G. Wells’ novel, this film explores a journey to the Moon and features Harryhausen’s imaginative stop-motion effects.
“One Million Years B.C.” (1966): This prehistoric adventure film features dinosaurs and other creatures brought to life through Harryhausen’s animation.
“The Valley of Gwangi” (1969): Set in the American Southwest, this film combines cowboys with dinosaurs, creating a unique and memorable blend of genres.
“The Golden Voyage of Sinbad” (1973): Another Sinbad adventure featuring Harryhausen’s stop-motion creatures and magical elements.
“Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger” (1977): The third Sinbad film with Harryhausen’s stop-motion work, featuring mythical creatures and epic quests.
“Clash of the Titans” (1981): One of Harryhausen’s final films, this epic fantasy features gods, monsters, and heroes, with some of his most iconic creations.
Ray Harryhausen’s influence on the film industry is immeasurable, and his innovative techniques laid the groundwork for future generations of visual effects artists. His work continues to be celebrated by fans of classic cinema and those interested in the history of special effects in movies.
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