Book excerpt: 100 objects selected by the animator Ray Harryhausen's daughter - packed with personal stories that have never previously been heard or publishedA fascinating examination of the work of the pioneer of the special effects that we see in modern cinemaContributions from experts in the field and in conjunction with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen FoundationA broad readership drawn from those who appreciate art, film, science fiction and fantasyTells the story of the man who changed the face of modern cinema - the pioneer of stop-motion animationSteven Speilberg and Tom Hanks are among his legion of fansEntries often include earlier versions of finished models and sketches of scenes that illustrate how Harryhausen worked and developed his modelsAccompanies a major exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland from October 2020 Special effects superstar Ray Harryhausen elevated stop-motion animation to an art during the 1950s to 1980s. With material drawn from his incredible archive, his daughter, Vanessa, selects 100 creatures and objects that meant the most to her as she watched her father make world-famous films that changed the course of cinema. The book includes many newly restored works and items that have never previously been seen. In addition to Vanessa's reflections, many of those who worked with Harryhausen or were inspired by him add their own memories and comments. Ray Harryhausen's work included the films Jason and the Argonauts, the Sinbad films of the '50s and '70s, One Million Years B.C and Mighty Joe Young, and a wider portfolio including children's fairy tales and commercials. He also inspired a generation of film-makers such as Peter Jackson, Tim Burton, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg, and his influence on blockbuster cinema can be felt to this day. 2020 will be the 100th anniversary of his birth.