NEW ARTICLE PUBLISHED!

You all have no doubt noticed the banner and side bar on this page promoting the new publication from Dead Letter Press/Rocket Science Books, BLACK INFINITY. After over a year-and-a-half, the science-fiction magazine it has been revived by editor and publisher Tom English. This, the 11th issue is themed "survive--or die" and includes a number of classic sci-fi reprints by notable authors Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison and more. In addition, there is a beatifully-reproduced Thun'da strip by Frank Frazetta and coverage of two of Byron Haskin's space-survival films, CONQUEST OF SPACE and ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS. The wrap-around cover is by the legendary dinosaur artist Charles R. Knight.

Tom was kind enough to invite me to write an article on another science-fiction film about survival for this issue. We decided on covering ONE MILLION YEARS B.C., the 1966 Hammer film starring Raquel Welch, John Richardson and featuring the incredible stop-motion animation of Ray Harryhausen. Although I had another article on this topic published earlier this year in PREHISTORIC TIMES, there is enough material about the film that there ended up being just a minimal amount of overlap between the two.

Please support Tom's remarkable efforts in putting out another 146-page tome of great material that will keep you entertained for hours by considering a purchase.

ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. COMIC STRIPS

I just completed another article on Hammer's ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. for Dead Letter Press' BLACK INFINITY magazine due out any time now. Earlier this year I wrote an article on the same film for PREHISTORIC TIMES. They are both quite different from each other as there is plenty of material available from this thrilling 1966 fantasy/adventure film. That it stars Raquel Welch with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen doesn't hurt a bit, either

While meandering around the internet and my own reference library I came across a couple of things that weren't included in either article. The first is this 15-page comics adaptation in HOUSE OF HAMMER #14 (Vol. 2, No. 2, November 1977). The script is by Steve Moore with art by John Bolton, who I think nails Raquel and everything else seen in the film. Of course, for something this short, the story takes many liberties. Brian Lewis did the artwork for the cover shown above.

The second is a six-installment comic strip intended as an advertising supplement for promotion of the film from the pressbook. Not the best quality I had available, but I think you can make out most of the text.

RARE HAMMER CASTING PROMO

After the rousing success of Hammer's ONE MILLION YEARS, B.C. in 1966, they were quick to capitalize on the winning combination of dinosaurs and damsels. After all, it was the explosive appearance of Raquel Welch as Loana in her deerskin bikini that lured audiences to the box office.

They rushed out posters advertising the casting of the next female lead in the production, CREATURES THE WORLD FORGOT. As expected, there was a tsunami of candidates that followed.

Below is the rare one-sheet announcing the search.

Check back tomorrow to see who won (as if you didn't know already!).

RAQUEL STRIPS!

The book, "Hollywood Frame by Frame" is a collection of film strips from cinema in the years 1951-1997. One of the entries is this fascinating series of contact sheets from the 1966 ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. Depicted in the Carl Toms' designed doeskin bikini is Raquel Welch, by on-set still photographer Terry O'Neil.

Thanks to colleague Douglas Brown, who provided the scans.

NEW HARRYHAUSEN DINO DIORAMA

Have an extra 300-plus bucks of Christmas money to spend? Read on. . .

One Million Years B.C. Ceratosaurus Deluxe Statue Diorama:

“This is a story of long, long ago, when the world was just beginning…”

The classic fantasy film One Million Years BC featured dinosaurs and other creatures brought to life by the stop-motion genius of Ray Harryhausen.

Star Ace’s next release from this film is the menacing Ceratosaurus, known for battling a Triceratops that had been chasing our heroes, the caveman, and the cavegirl.  As the cavepeople fearfully watch hidden in the nearby rock formation, the two huge dinosaurs fought to the death. 

This Ceratosaurus is a 12.59" tall polyresin statue sculpted to match the original Harryhausen stop-motion model. It features a detailed, hand-painted color scheme, and comes with a rocky outcropping display base. The set includes scaled figures of the caveman and the cavegirl that can be positioned in a variety of ways!

The Ceratosaurus is in scale with the Star Ace Triceratops and can be displayed together to recreate the scene from the movie (each sold separately.)

Created in partnership with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation and the 20th Century Fox.

Retail price: $314.99

Available from MONSTERS IN MOTION.

ONE MILLION YEARS, B.C. DIORAMAS

In case you missed it the first time around, MONSTERS IN MOTION is again soliciting pre-orders for a pair of "put together" dioramas from Ray Harryhausen's Hammer release, ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. They did Raquel's deerskin bikini okay, but they could have done a better job on her face. Overall, though, these are pretty good looking vinyl figures.

$254.99
One Million Years B.C. Triceratops with Loana 16" Diorama Statue Ray Harryhausen LIMITED EDITION

"This is a story of long, long ago; when the world was just beginning."

The classic fantasy film One Million Years BC featured dinosaurs and other creatures brought to life by the stop-motion genius of Ray Harryhausen and introduced new starlet Raquel Welch.

Star Ace salutes the work of Harryhausen with the soft vinyl statues of the Triceratops and Raquel Welch's cavegirl, Loana. In the film the Triceratops chases Loana but must battle the fierce Ceratosaurus (coming soon).

The Triceratops is 40cm long and stands 17cm tall. It is sculpted to exactly recreate the original Harryhausen stop-motion model, and features a detailed, hand painted color scheme to match. It comes with a rocky terrain base featuring the One Million Years BC logo.

Loana is on a rocky base and stands 9cm tall and features the likeness of Raquel Welch.

The combined set (SA9012) comes with both Loana and the Triceratops.

Created in partnership with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation and 20th Century Fox.

$259.99
One Million Years B.C. Allosaurus & Tumak Diorama Statue Set Ray harryhausen:

LIMITED EDITION OF ONLY 600 PIECES!

“This is a story of long, long ago; when the world was just beginning.“

The classic fantasy film One Million Years BC featured dinosaurs and other creatures brought to life by the stop-motion genius of Ray Harryhausen.

Star Ace salutes the work of Harryhausen with the soft vinyl statues of the menacing Allosaurus and brave caveman, Tumak. Recreating the scene where Tumak defends a Shell tribe girl from the attacking dinosaur, these two vinyl statues can be displayed separately or brought together to complete the full scene.

The Allosaurus stands over 12" tall and is sculpted to exactly recreate the original Harryhausen stop-motion model, and features a detailed, hand painted color scheme to match. It comes with a rocky terrain base featuring the One Million Years BC logo.

In scale with the Allosaurus, Tumak stands 6" tall and wears a synthetic fur tunic. He stands on a rocky terrain base and brandishes his spear.

The combined set comes with both Tumak and the Allosaurus, the bases fit together to create the full scene.

Soft Vinyl Statue

Limited Edition (600pcs)

Produced with the permission of The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation (Charity Number SC001419).

$194.99
One Million Years B.C. Triceratops 16" Diorama Statue Ray Harryhausen:

“This is a story of long, long ago; when the world was just beginning.“

The classic fantasy film One Million Years BC featured dinosaurs and other creatures brought to life by the stop-motion genius of Ray Harryhausen and introduced new starlet Raquel Welch.

The Triceratops is 16" long and stands 6.5" tall. It is sculpted to exactly recreate the original Harryhausen stop-motion model, and features a detailed, hand painted color scheme to match. It comes with a rocky terrain base featuring the One Million Years BC logo.

Created in partnership with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation and 20th Century Fox.

NEW! ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. DIORAMA

“This is a story of long, long ago; when the world was just beginning.“

Ray Harryhausen's fantastic film legacy lives on with this new entry into the world of action figures. Produced in soft vinyl, this scene includes two different figures and bases, Tumak, the caveman from Hammer's ONE MILLION YEARS, B.C. and the Allosaurus. The two can be put together to form a diorama. The Allosaurus figure is available separately. The two-figure set is pre-selling for $259.99.

My question is: Will there be a follow-up with Raquel Welch as Loana and the Pterodactyl?

FROM MONSTERS IN MOTION:

The classic fantasy film One Million Years BC featured dinosaurs and other creatures brought to life by the stop-motion genius of Ray Harryhausen.

Star Ace salutes the work of Harryhausen with the soft vinyl statues of the menacing Allosaurus and brave caveman, Tumak. Recreating the scene where Tumak defends a Shell tribe girl from the attacking dinosaur, these two vinyl statues can be displayed separately or brought together to complete the full scene.

The Allosaurus stands over 12" tall and is sculpted to exactly recreate the original Harryhausen stop-motion model, and features a detailed, hand painted color scheme to match. It comes with a rocky terrain base featuring the One Million Years BC logo.

In scale with the Allosaurus, Tumak stands 6" tall and wears a synthetic fur tunic. He stands on a rocky terrain base and brandishes his spear.

The combined set comes with both Tumak and the Allosaurus, the bases fit together to create the full scene.

Soft Vinyl Statue

Limited Edition (600pcs)

Produced with the permission of The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation (Charity Number SC001419).