Recently, I found myself on a non-golf adventure, driving over to Kalamazoo to check out an enthralling exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. This showcase provided a deep dive into the fascinating world of Ray Harryhausen, a man whose work in animation and film direction earned him legendary status, specifically for his pioneering “Dynamation” technique. This method ingeniously blended live action with animated models, creating a cinematic experience unlike any other.
Harryhausen, who lived between 1920 and 2013, has an impressive catalogue of films attributed to his genius. Iconic titles such as Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, and The Seventh Voyage of Sindbad, among others, highlighted his distinctive style, where live actors seemingly shared the cinematic stage with meticulously crafted animated creatures. Seeing these films as a child left me under a spell of wonder, a spell that remains as potent today as it was back then.
What made Harryhausen’s work timeless for many, including myself, is the tangible charm of stop-motion animation, a craft that seems to have been overshadowed by the wave of CGI. To my knowledge, Tim Burton is one of the few filmmakers who still embraces this enchanting art form.
The exhibit itself is a treasure trove, with an array of Harryhausen’s original models, storyboards, paintings, and insightful information about his filmmaking processes. Harryhausen wasn’t just animating; he was an artist in the truest sense, blending skills in drawing, sculpting, and painting to breathe life into his creations.
Making the trip to Kalamazoo was undoubtedly worthwhile, especially as the exhibit runs until the end of April. It’s a tribute to Harryhausen’s enduring legacy in the film industry.
For those interested in exploring more of Harryhausen’s magic, here’s a list of his memorable films, most of which I’ve seen and thoroughly enjoyed. While not credited as director on many, they are unmistakably his, with his touch etched into each frame. Despite limited official credits due to the rigid rules of Hollywood at the time, his influence as a writer, storyboard creator, and, essentially, a director, was profound.
- Mighty Joe Young (1949), where he worked as a co-animator.
- The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) and others where his mastery of visual effects dazzled audiences.
- Adventures like Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) showcase his genius.
- His work continued with classics like Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and Clash of the Titans (1981), the latter marking his final film before retirement.
For those who appreciate the magic of cinema and want to dive deeper, this exhibit reveals the imaginative mind of a man whose work continues to inspire. With original models and storyboards on display, it offers a glimpse into the meticulous process that brought legendary creatures and epic battles to the screen.
