Open Pandora’s Box with Ray Harryhausen Monsters

Not all monsters come from under the bed or out in the shadows. Some emerge from boxes. Just ask Pandora — you know, the one who opened up a box full of nightmares and horrors so terrible that the entire world had to pay.

Of all the monsters out there, few are as iconic as Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion creatures. Like the terrors released from Pandora’s box, they are influenced by classical mythology. From skeleton armies to the snapping jaws of ferocious beasts, Ray Harryhausen is the master of monsters. His work in stop-motion animation (his particular style is even known as Dynamation) inspired most of today’s prominent creators of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. In short, Harryhausen is a legendary household name. Let’s meet some of his most famous monsters!

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Ymir

Watching a monster on the silver screen is fun, but recreating that monster yourself is an absolute thrill. With the Ymir Model Kit by Star Ace Toys you can become an animator just like Harryhausen. Straight from the far-off wilds of Venus, this humanoid lizard monster is ready to rampage once assembled. As seen in 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), Ymir grows from a hatchling into a gargantuan menace that terrorizes Earth. Ymir is a figure in Norse mythology, a primordial being present at the formation of Midgard. This version of Ymir has a long forked tail and verdant green scales all over its body, with rolling eyes and a gaping jaw.

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Rhedosaurus

Before Godzilla, there was Rhedosaurus. In The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), Rhedosaurus is resurrected from the icy depths of the Arctic by an atomic bomb. Of course, that’s no way to be woken up and this mighty dinosaurian behemoth is pretty angry. The monster makes its way down the eastern seaboard, wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in its wake. Thanks to a famous scene involving a lighthouse, this monster’s tale was inspired by Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Fog Horn.” The Rhedosaurus Colorized Version Collectible Figure by X-Plus, from the Defo-Real Series, once again reanimates this creature in terrifyingly exquisite detail. Watch out for those teeth!

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Pegasus

Some monsters are not grotesque but they’re still a powerful chimeric combination. Pegasus, the trusted steed of Perseus in Clash of the Titans (1981), was once part of Zeus’ band of winged horses. Along with other gifts from the Olympians, Perseus flies atop Pegasus as he seeks to defeat Calibos, a rebellious son of the sea goddess Thetis. Since stories of the winged horse were first told, Pegasus has come to represent the flight of heroes. The horse is a powerful symbol of rising above evil. Hand-painted and adorned with majestic wings, the Pegasus Statue by Star Ace Toys is a necessary addition to any aspiring hero’s collection.

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Kraken

Many monsters lurk within the far reaches of the deep. Beneath the waves, all manner of leviathans and beasts roam the ocean floor but the Kraken is one of the most feared. Even just its name can strike fear into the heart of any seafarer. The Kraken is also another monster from Clash of the Titans, and this version is part of the plot to sacrifice Princess Andromeda. Perseus learns he must obtain the head of Medusa to conquer the Kraken but even then, this serpentine foe is no simple threat. Star Ace Toys’ hand-painted Kraken (Deluxe Version) Statue captures the Kraken’s fearsome finned appearance and even features Andromeda as part of the figure’s base.

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Kali

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) adapted Sinbad the Sailor’s adventures from Arabian Nights and features a whole slew of stop-motion monsters, including Kali. In the film, Sinbad finds a mysterious amulet that is part of a trio of items which will lead to the riches of the Fountain of Youth on Lemuria. Koura, an evil magician, places numerous traps onto Sinbad’s path, hoping to reach the Fountain for himself. One of his traps is a reanimated statue of Kali, the Hindu Mother Goddess of Creation and Destruction. The Kali (Deluxe Version) Statue by Star Ace Toys shows this deity in all her six-armed glory, ready to slice down any who cross her path.

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Talos

Jason was the son of a murdered king. A prophecy foretold that he would return to Thessaly to avenge his father. Thus begin the adventures of Jason, whose quest for the Golden Fleece would become legendary in Jason and the Argonauts (1963). This film features many of Ray Harryhausen’s most recognizable monsters, including the skeleton soldiers as well as Talos. This gigantic bronze statue guarded a whole bounty of treasures. When one of Jason’s crew steals from the statue’s hoard, Talos awakens to attack the Argonauts. The Talos 2.0 (Deluxe Version) Statue by Star Ace Toys brings this fearsome guardian to life in ancient bronze detail, a figure so powerful even Hercules is brought to his knees.

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Which monster from Ray Harryhausen is your favorite? What film would be first up in your Harryhausen movie marathon?

Share your thoughts with other monster movie fans over at side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!