Fan Letter to Mr. Ray Harryhausen

By Prof. William H. Foster III

This is an unabashed fan letter. It’s me, speaking on behalf of myself and my baby Brother Tim. It’s addressed to Mr. Ray Harryhausen, the man who gave us great cinematic enjoyment back when we were kids. Why? Because he was the master of stop-motion animation.
We became fans of his long before we knew what “stop-motion animation” was. The small black and white TV in our home was where our education began. We were lucky enough to see a selection of Puppetoon shorts. They were funny, and taught us gentle lessons about important societal rules without banging us over the head. We got it, and our parents approved.
Our appetite for something a little bit less tame was fed with showings of classic sci-fi movies, like  Mighty Joe Young, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, and God help us, King Kong.  The fantastical creatures that paraded across the screen creating mayhem made us laugh out loud and wiggle in pure delight.

 But our taste for something more visceral were his classic works shown on the big screen of our neighborhood theater. The Saturday matinees became our temple of creature worship.

The Leader movie theater was where my brother Tim and I came alive once a week. Tim was the perfect movie partner for me, and I hope I was for him. We loved the same things – sword and blood gladiator epics, the occasional cowboy or jungle flick and of course sci-fi, and fantasy. There in the dark we became bold adventure seekers, lusty pirate kings, and mighty warriors.
In that sacred space, we yelled at the screen for the hunters and explorers to get back on their boat and sail home. But that never happened. They just had to wake up all the monsters and let them know it was feeding time. And just like we knew it would, those dummies got their just desserts and made us both burst into gleeful laughter. That’ll teach you! You just had to mess with King Kong!     

Sadly my brother and I no longer have opportunities to share movie adventures. Tim passed away much too soon, in 1986. I still watch all our favorite classics and keep an empty seat next me to relive our glory days.
Some years later, I got to meet Mr. Harryhausen in person, during a guest appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego. There was a huge congregation of fans in line, like I cared. I really needed to thank him on behalf of my Brother and myself. When my turn finally came to receive an autograph, we got a chance to chat briefly.

He asked which one of his films was my favorite. I blurted out, “The battle with the skeleton warriors (the Army of the Hydra’s Teeth) in “Jason and the Argonauts.” He smiled.

I told him when the Argonauts unfastened their swords simultaneously as the battle was about to begin, my baby brother and I thought that the most badass thing we had ever seen. It was just so cool! And the skeleton warriors were some bad dudes! We both laughed. I told him it never got old.
 
 
  Nowadays, I still occasional treat myself to a nice, rip-roaring Saturday matinee movie. When I do, I am transported back in time to share a fantasy created by the Stop Motion Master, with my baby brother once again by my side. It truly fills me with unbelievable joy.
 
Professor William H. Foster II is a comic book historian who specializes in research on the changing image of African Americans and people of color in comics. His two books, Looking for a Face like Mine, and Dreaming of a Face like Ours are scheduled to be reprinted in new editions in 2021.