Today, June 29, 2013, would have been Ray Harryhausen’s 93rd birthday. Harryhausen was one of my heroes, and his work had an immense impact on my life and my own work. That’s one reason that I dedicated the book Warrior’s Bones to him (and to comics legend Stan Lee). As a Monster Kid and a writer of fantasy, SF, and horror, Harryhausen’s influence looms large in my work.
Sadly, the master of special effects passed away earlier this year. But it has been a tradition in our household to honor Ray by setting his birthday aside to watch his films, and I’ll be doing that again today. If you’re reading this on the day itself, please join me — and if you’re reading this post at some other time, please consider joining the tradition and helping it to grow, to keep the memory and spirit of Ray and his work alive.
By happy coincidence more than planning, there are three podcasts out this week in which I was honored to talk about Ray, his influence on my life, and his work. The first is this week’s B-Movie Cast podcast, the others are a two-part interview on Monster Kid Radio. You can find the B-Movie Cast show featuring Earth vs. the Flying Saucers here, Part one of the Monster Kind interview about The 7th Voyage of Sinbad here, and the conclusion of that episode here.
I hope you’ll enjoy the shows, and I hope you’ll join me in honoring the memory of Ray Harryhausen and his work bot today and in hears to come. Thanks! Have a great Harryhausen’s Birthday! (And many more to come.)
Just In – TCM is Running a Tribute to Ray Harryhausen on July 11, 2013! Be sure to tune in!
YOUR TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FRIEND RAY HARRYHAUSEN IS VERY TOUCHING. AS IT WAS WITH YOU, RAY WAS ONE OF MY CHILDHOOD HEROES WHOM I WAS FORTUNATE TO MEET AND BEFRIEND THANKS TO ANOTHER HERO FROM CHILDHOOD, RAY BRADBURY. THE TWO ‘RAYS’ AND I SHARED MANY HAPPY TIMES TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. I WILL MISS THEM BOTH FOREVER.
I wish they were both still with us. My condolences for your loss. Thanks so much for your kind words.
I TRIED TO SEND YOU SOME PHOTOS OF RAY AND ME AT TWO OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS, BUT THE E-MAIL ON YOUR SITE DID NOT TAKE THE PHOTOS THROUGH TO YOU. COULD YOU PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH AN ADDRESS WHERE I CAN FORWARD THE PHOTOS. THANK YOU.
Thanks for the wonderful pictures. I wish I’d gotten to know Ray in person, but I did get a nice note back when I dedicated a book to him.
I’m very glad you enjoyed the photos. If you wish to post them on your site at any time in the future, you have my permission, of course.
Thanks so much again, Arnold. If I have the need, I will take you up on your generous author.