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The Fantastical Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Images courtesy of The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation  

by Marc Halperin

Ray Harryhausen is a national treasure with his groundbreaking work with stop motion animation he has changed the world of filmmaking. He has inspired everyone working in special effects today and his pioneering work ushered in the world of digital effects. It is only fitting that the Academy present this special summer tribute to him as Ray was responsible for so many summer blockbuster movies. Virtually every director born in the 1950's or 60's working in science fiction or fantasy owes their love for the genres to this man. He was honored by the Seattle Film Festival on May 30, 2003 with a Tribute and received a special Academy Award in 1992.

Images courtesy of The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation 

“The Fantastical Worlds of Ray Harryhausen” is open to the public through August 22 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’s Fourth Floor Gallery in Beverly Hills. Admission is free with viewing hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends, noon to 6 p.m.

Images courtesy of The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation 

As part of the exhibition The Academy will present two classic Ray Harryhausen films , “20 Million Miles to Earth” and “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad,” on Friday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. There will be special gallery hours from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and after the screening. Tickets for the Harryhausen double feature on July 16 are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID, and may be purchased online at www.oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office or by mail. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. All seating is unreserved. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visitwww.oscars.org.

Visit the official Ray Harryhausen site and be prepared to be amazed.