Monster Conversation: Harryhausen Annual #1 – ‘Clash of the Titans’ (1981)

The Monster Island Film Vault

Release the crossover! Nate and his friend Elijah “The Littlest Gatekeeper” Thomas start a new annual tradition for their podcasts, The Monster Island Film Vault and Kaiju Conversation, respectively, by discussing a Ray Harryhausen film every year. Why? Because they both share a birthday with the special effects legend. Also, since these two are weird, they’re going in reverse filmography order, starting with the original Clash of the Titans. This epic adventure was a relic when it came out, but given Harryhausen’s romantic love of the past and love of the classics, it’s not surprising. Your hosts dive deep into this film’s production—Arnold Schwarzenegger was nearly the lead?!—and discuss the many incredible mythological creatures that appear in it. As Harryhausen’s best friend, the author Ray Bradbury, said, Medusa in this film is Harryhausen’s “crowning glory.” Just forgive Elijah for being a bit snobby about it. Happy birthday, Ray!

(This episode is also being released on the Kaiju Conversation feed).

Check out Kaiju Conversation: https://redcircle.com/shows/kaiju-conversation. Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaiju_convers.

Music:

• “Legends of Warcraft” by PSK
• “The Dark Ages” by Phil Rey

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander (co-host of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

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This episode is approved by Cameron Winter and the Monster Island Board of Directors.

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Bibliography/Further Reading:

• Carr, Kevin. “How Accurate Were the Myths in ‘Clash of the Titans’?” Film School Rejects, 9 June 2014, https://filmschoolrejects.com/how-accurate-were-the-myths-in-clash-of-the-titans-59a99ecd0032/.
• Clash of the Titans (1981) blu-ray special features:
  • “Behind the Story: A Conversation with Ray Harryhausen”
  • “Myths and Monsters”
• “Clash of the Titans” (IMDB) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082186/)
• Ray Harryhausen Podcast
  • Episode 7- Clash of the Titans 35th Anniversary Special (https://soundcloud.com/rayharryhausenfoundation/clash-40th-anniversary)
  • Episode 37- Clash of the Titans 40th Anniversary Special (https://soundcloud.com/rayharryhausenfoundation/clash-40th-anniversary)
• Wikipedia articles:
  • “Clash of the Titans (1981 film)” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clash_of_the_Titans_(1981_film))
  • “Kraken” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken)
  • “Medusa” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa)
  • “Perseus” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus)