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