2. Ray Harryhausen Founded His Own Charity Foundation!
It's true! Ray founded The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation in 1986, a registered charitable Trust in the US and the UK, to archive, preserve and restore Rays extensive collection of over 50,000 pieces, as well as promote the art of stop-motion animation and his impressive body of work and legacy. Fortunately for us, during his life Ray rarely threw anything away, so this collection is near complete! It includes armatures, original molds, original concept artwork, stills, negatives, test footage and dailies, original equipment, and so much more! The Foundation is committed to show and exhibit, for educational and enjoyment purposes, Rays unique collection and films for future generations of film lovers. This collection includes pieces from his earliest works, including a triceratops used in
Evolution of the World, the film that got him his first commercial job on George Pal's Puppetoons! The foundation is in the midst, along side the National Media Museum in Bradford, England, of cataloging his entire existing collection, including his studio in London, as well as setting up an exhibition in the future where students and filmmakers can study these original items. A daunting task indeed, but with trustees including Ray and Diana's daughter, Vanessa, one that is being undertaken with the greatest of care.