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Clash Of The Titans (1981) Ray Harryhausen Medusa Skeleton Swordsman Maquette Casting

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Clash Of The Titans (1981)  Ray Harryhausen Medusa Skeleton Swordsman Maquette Casting
Clash Of The Titans (1981) Ray Harryhausen Medusa Skeleton Swordsman Maquette Casting - Of all the magnificent classic special effect characters that stop-motion wizard Ray Harryhausen brought to the screen, perhaps the most famous and yet-to-be-duplicated are the army of skeletons that rise from their graves to attack Jason and his men in "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963). Harryhausen fell in love with the concept of skeleton swordsmen when he created just one skeleton solider who is brought to life by Sokurah the Magician to challenge Sinbad in his "7th Voyage of Sinbad" five years earlier. Then again in Harryhausen's final most elaborate, high-budget and epic "Clash of the Titans" (1981), Perseus (Harry Hamlin) sets off to Medusa's island at the edge of the underworld in order to bring back her head to defeat the powerful ocean monster Kraken. Originally there were two areas where yet another skeleton swordsman was talked about appearing. The first idea was to have a skeleton swordsman appear to do battle and protect Medusa's lair (instead they are attacked by Medusa's two-headed guardian canine, Orthrus), and then again it was suggested that a group of these skeleton's appear from under the earth (as in "Jason"), after Perseus obtains her head, and are conjured up when Medusa's blood is spilled from the sack holding her head. In the final version, giant scorpions rose from the earth instead to do battle. The skeleton's were to hold shields with Medusa's head painted on them, as well as having her black tongue extending out from the middle. This is a painstaking casting taken from one of the original maquettes created for one of Medusa's skeleton swordsmen, complete with shield and extended tongue. This fascinating and extremely fragile original mold casting reproduction comes from legendary Jerry Neeley's collection. Neeley was the well known film historian, writer, collector and owner of the famous "Jerry's Video" in Los Feliz, CA. Customers, collectors and throngs of directors, writers and industry people would come from around the world to talk to Jerry, whose knowledge and memory of film, especially when it came to Sci-Fi, was encyclopedic, and also to visit his famous collection. Also included is a Letter of Provenience from Jerry Neeley's widow and co-owner of his various video and memorabilia shops. Please note that it is extremely delicate and fragile, and some of the bones are detached. Casting is approx 16" high.