Saturday 7 April 2018

Ray Harryhausen Exhibition

I recently went to an excellent little exhibition at my Local History museum Valance House. This is the last surviving manor house in Dagenham, dates back to Medieval times and is still partially surrounded by a moat. Today it is a museum largely dedicated to local and family history but it also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions in one of its galleries. Until the end of June it is hosting a small display of original Ray Harryhausen models from classic films such as Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts and The Valley of Gwangi.

The models are on display because it was a local man, Alan Friswell, who was responsible for restoring these figurines. As well as classic models like Medusa from Clash of the Titans the exhibition also includes original concept art by Harryhausen and models made by Alan Friswell for other movies.




Bubo the Owl from Clash of the Titans

Pegasus from Clash of the Titans

Pegasus from Clash of the Titans

Medusa from Clash of the Titans

Medusa from Clash of the Titans

Hydra from Jason and the Argonauts

Hydra from Jason and the Argonauts

Skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts

Skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts

Grand Luna (Replica) from First Men in the Moon

Monster from Valley of Gwangi

Original concept art by Harryhausen for Valley of Gwangi

Original concept art by Harryhausen for Valley of Gwangi
Valance House includes several static exhibits and displays on local history and well worth a visit if you are in the area. Entrance is free, with free car parking nearby and there is a nice tea shop across the yard.  

6 comments:

  1. hi

    I had the privilege to meet Ray during the release of Clash of the Titans. We were given a special presentation at my local Collage in Denver. Ray gave a wonderful talk and allowed us see his models. We also got to go out to dinner with him and the story of working on his many movie was wonderful. He give each of us a signed picture.

    Bill Daniel

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  2. What an amazing exhibition Lee.

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  3. You lucky so and so! Just the kind of exhibition I would like to see!

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  4. Thanks for the heads up.

    I'm not sure I'll be able to see this exhibition in person but would have liked to.

    Tony

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