Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 25

INTERVIEW
God, because he now has the most

Animations (Wallace & Gromit), today’s

complete collection of cinematic special

stalwart stop-motion producers. Tony’s

effects and animation in the entire world

first book An Animated Life about Ray’s

– probably better than even Disney’s

life and work is due out in paperback this

collection.”

month.

But just when Tony thought everything

Cyclops, from 7th
Voyage of Sinbad

He became involved with BAFTA some

was catalogued and accounted for, he

years ago and has worked on various

was in for more surprises. “There was

projects including tributes to Oliver Stone,

stuff in Ray’s garage in Los Angeles – but

Lord Puttnam and Bryan Forbes. For

he told me it was all junk. We went out,

some months now, he has been planning

and found fantastic things like his first

and producing a special event which is

models from 70 years ago!” Along with

due to come to fruition some time next

a triceratops, a brontosaurus and even a

year – something very hush hush. But

tyrannosaurus rex, they also found some

if the names with which he peppers our

miniatures including tentacles for the

conversation are an indication – Dickie

giant octopus and the submarine which

Attenborough, John Landis (director of An

were featured in the film It Came From

American Werewolf in London and The

Beneath the Sea. “What was junk to Ray

Blues Brothers) and Peter Jackson (Lord of

is film history to the rest of us,” says a

the Rings trilogy) – it’s going to be quite

relieved Tony.

something.

Film history is what makes Tony’s world

life

Ray Harryhausen’s films have never

go round now. He is the curator of

lost their popularity, which grows as

over 20,000 items of the Harryhausen

DVD makes them more accessible. If

Collection, and arr