Results: Ray Harryhausen (Part one of two)
Published on 09/12/2023
Stop motion animation is a film technique moving a small figure or object in front of a camera, clicking off a frame of film at a time. There are 24 frames in a second. Played back at normal speed, it gives the illusion of movement. Of the few masters of this, one name stands out, Ray Harryhausen...
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1.
1.
King Kong - Ray was 13 when he saw the 1933 film King Kong. Willis O'Brien was the guy who did the stop motion on this. Ray was hooked, experimenting with the technique at home. He'd later get to meet Willis, who gave him pointers and suggested art school. Ever see some version of King Kong?
The original 1933 version by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.
36%
748 votes
The 1976 remake, by John Guillermin, produced by Dino De Laurentiis.
37%
786 votes
The 2005 remake by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame.
27%
573 votes
Some other film or show featuring Kong.
13%
281 votes
Not Applicable
33%
685 votes
2.
2.
College / WWII- Ray honed his skills in art and animation in college. It was here he met Ray Bradbury, later a famous sci-fi author. The two became friends. During WWII, Ray used his skills making training films and also met Theodor Geisel, who the world would know as Dr. Seuss. Needless to say, all three were into fantasy / sci-fi, mythology. Do you find yourself into such tales?
Yes
34%
709 votes
No
33%
696 votes
Not Applicable
33%
695 votes
3.
3.
Mighty Joe Young - Made by the same guys who did Kong, Ray was hired as a film assistant to his mentor Willis O'Brien on this, but ended up animating 85% of the film, his first such assignment. His skill at creating emotion with a small figure and mixing it with human actors was apparent. Keep in mind the actors saw nothing at all in this case, Ray matched Joe's actions to theirs and even made human miniatures. Thoughts?
This is pretty incredible consider the time it was made and elements involved.
44%
933 votes
Meh, looks dated, fake, what's so great about some dude playing with models.
15%
311 votes
N/A - Not into movies, didn't watch, etc.
41%
856 votes
4.
4.
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms - This 1953 film was based on a short story published in the Saturday Evening Post by Ray's pal Ray Bradbury. The creature is a fictional dinosaur called a Rhedosaurus. Some feel this critter and film inspired Godzilla a year later. What's your take?
Yes - sure seems similar to Godzilla to me.
46%
968 votes
No - the theme of nuclear power releasing or making giant creatures was pretty common then.
20%
424 votes
N/A - Godzilla? Wasn't there a song called him?
34%
708 votes
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