It's ironic...it was almost one year ago(June 6,to be precise)that sci-fi author Ray Bradbury died,also acknowledged by me in a journal entry;Ironic because both men had a huge influence on my life,and the two were best friends for many years.
Before "Star Wars",Harryhausen and producer Charles H. Schneer's "Sinbad" movies were my main source of cinematic fantasy enjoyment as a kid.True,there were only two of them,but still....!
My most vivid memories from "The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad",his battle with the animated figurehead of his own ship,making those godbizarre creepy wooden grinding noises as it moved,and later his swordfight with the six-armed Kali statue...not to mention Caroline Munro...YOWZAH.I had a "Sinbad And The Eye Of The Tiger" poster on my wall for many years,bought from,of all places,a store that sold planters and knickknacks.That movie's villianess,the witch Zenobia,scared the crap out of me when I was a kid,especially when her faceless eyes suddenly pop up on screen at the end of the credits.And the implied nude scene by Jane Seymour and Taryn Power...double YOWZAH.
I always thought it strange that he decided to call it quits after doing "Clash Of The Titans",considering the fact that fantasy films were making a strong comeback at the time,but I guess his reasons were his own.
I came into possession of the book,"The Art Of Ray Harryhausen" several years ago;while it contains photos of many of his stop-motion models,it also includes dozens of pre-production art done by him,much of it done in a monochromatic style,reminiscent of the work of Gustave Dore',another favorite of mine.

Oh....and I HATED that "Clash Of The Titans" remake!!!