When the father of modern special effects, and the architect of my childhood imagination, dies it's a "stop all the clocks" moment, as far as I'm concerned.
The uniquely great Ray Harryhausen died on the 7th May this year, aged 92.
He stands alone in modern cinema as an auteur, innovator, craftsman, technician and dreamer. A special effects master whose name alone could sell a picture. In that respect he's up there with Hitchcock, both their visual stamps can be recognised from viewing a mere handful of frames from any of their oeuvre. This, coupled with his multi-generational influence on filmmakers, technicians and artists the world over, make his contribution to the fabric of cinematic universe virtually incalculable.
Watching the brilliant new documentary "Ray Harryhausen:Special Effects Titan" (in which every major film maker in the last 30 years get down on their knees and worship him) you are struck by just how much of a singular operation Ray's was. From designing and building the creatures (and sets) to operating his own camera and effecting his own in camera matte work; his artistic vision infused absolutely every frame of film.
The kids and I met him at a book signing in 2003 (see phone pic attached). We waited patiently in a long line of devotees. When our turn came I was shaking, heart pounding. I shook his hand and thanked him for my career as a professional Illustrator. A quizzical look from Ray, at first, but then I explained that the first things I ever drew, as a child, were his creatures. He was delighted and as gracious as you would imagine him to be.
When we left the Cinema Store, on St Martin's lane, it was a few moments before I realised that I'd been crying, that was the power of the man and his work. I weep for him still.
In the coming months the movie business had better collectively doff it's cap...or it'll have me to answer to.
Thank you Ray...thank you so very very much...no finer technician...no more wonderous nor humble artist ever lived.
Amen.
