Ray Harryhausen - Bruce Crawford

BRUCE

CRAWFORD

In the early part of April, 1996 I was contacted about BRUCE CRAWFORD, who has been hosting a series of film tributes in his home town of Omaha, Nebraska. I gave Bruce a call a few days later and after an extensive phone conversation I came away with a strong sense of admiration for this guy who has really done so much for the film industry, and all away from the typical mainstream areas of New York and California. Besides co-producing the phenomenal BERNARD HERRMANN: A CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE A MUSIC for radio broadcast, he also produced a similar radio event around Miklos Rosza. His dedication to the promotion of classic films does not end there. He's been involved in several promotional events bringing major film events of classic films. These have included screenings of BEN-HUR, PATTON, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS and more. Each event is a celebration in it's own right. Not only does he brings these classics to Omaha, but he has managed to bring in people associated with the the making of these films for each screening. Of particular interest to Ray Harryhausen fans was the showing of JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS and MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. It was his first film event. For this screening he contacted Ray, a very good friend of Bruce, and had him brought in for the movie. Along with the promotion of the film, a video documentary of the event was made. This documentary of the event is a Harryhausen fan's delight. It offers a real chance to see Ray up-close.

Beginning with the presentation of the Gordon Sawyer Award for Lifetime Achievement to Ray for his contributions to the world of filmmaking, the documentary quickly moves from Hollywood to Omaha, and several local news and interview shows. These range from interviews with Bruce, about his life-long love of films to Ray. Over the next two-hours, fans are treated to more interviews with Ray, including two extensive ones, the first for a television show called BEHIND THE SCENES and the second for an on air radio interview. During both of these Ray's friendly and personable nature is shown as he takes calls from viewers and listeners. Ray is also shown accepting the key to city of Omaha and is other local salutes to him until we get to the main event. The screening of JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS and MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. Both prints were restored and given all their big screen splendor for this screening that also welcomed personal appearances by Ray and his wife, and well as Lucy Herrmann, the wife of Bernard Herrmann.

Following the event, Ray and his wife toured several local Omaha sites with Bruce, along with family and friends. This too has been thankfully preserved. It affords those of us who do not not know Mr. Harryhausen personally a glimpse into the real man. He is seen here wandering through the Omaha Zoo and commenting on some giant insect statues on display there. Even though he is retired he discusses the possibilities of animating the creatures.

The event, thoroughly documented here was enough of a success to spawn several more over the following years that included salutes to Hitchcock, with a screening of PSYCHO and NORTH BY NORTHWEST, a salute to William Wyler, with the debut screening of the restored print of BEN-HUR in rematrixed surround sound. Bruce has also arranged tributes for GONE WITH THE WIND and THE LONGEST DAY. In the end I was left with this incredible longing to be living in Omaha. Bruce has also produced highly acclaimed radio documentaries for BERNARD HERRMANN and Miklos Rosza

The video documentary OMAHA HONORS RAY HARRYHAUSEN is a full two hours long and during the interviews Ray discusses his career, what he is doing now and his future plans. The longest segment is the BEHIND THE SCENES program and everything moves along quickly ensuring fans of Harryhausen a solid look, in Ray's own words, into his life and films. He discussed everything from his Fairy Tales and War films to work on CLASH OF THE TITANS as well as the current trends in motion picture special effects. While the program isn't for everyone, it certainly is something for fans of Ray Harryhausen who want to hear the last word on Ray's films by Ray himself. I found the two hours to pass by quickly and I'm thankful that the event was preserved.

The video is available from Hollywood Export Videos Productions and was produced by L. Roger Speakman. For more info on the video, click here.

The 65th Anniversary KING KONG event.

Ray Bradbury, Greg Gear, Forry Ackerman, Bruce and Tammy Crawford, Ray Harryhausen

In May of 1998, Bruce organized a spectacular KING KONG 65th Anniversary Event. Guest of Honor included Ray Harryhausen, Ray Bradbury, Forry Ackerman and Greg Bear. The event was presented with true Sid Graumann showmanship and attracted enough attention to be covered on the Sci-Fi Channel's SCI-FI ENTERTAINMENT. A video documentary of this event will be available shortly. For more info on this event, click here.

Click Here to go to THE OFFICIAL OMAHA FILM EVENT site.

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