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This site is where I usually first learn of someone's death. When I saw his name in the "Final Farewells" category, it didn't register with me at first, like it was some sort of mistake, or I didn't read the whole title of the topic, But unfortunately, no.

I don't know what to post that hasn't been posted already, Dr. Spyclops' eloquent commentary and Cromwell's statement about how another piece of our childhood has disappeared says pretty much what I think about Mr.Schneer's passing, he was the anchor that kept Ray Harryhausen and his amazing talents in the dollars and sense reality of the film business and some of Charlie's decisions (contrary to Ray's ideas) have proven to serve all of their films' fans for the better.

For example, it was Mr. Schneer's decision to pursue Bernard Herrmann for the score for THE 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD. Ray (ever the KING KONG fan) wanted Max Steiner. As it turns out, the Herrmann score is IMHO, the finest ever written for a fantasy film. The subsequent 3 film scores that Herrmann did for Ray and Charlie's films rank almost as high. He did rub some the wrong way concerning some of his financial decisions. Herrmann breaking off with Charlie after not being able to meet his price for the score for FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, but those were the tough decisions Schneer had to make. JASON, although a classic, did not make very much at the box office and still be able to pull together the capital for such a production as FIRST MEN speaks volumes about Charles' abilities.

The same can be said for Miklos Rozsa and his dissatisfaction with the limited size of the orchestra for THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD. But after GWANGI, which was also not a money maker, the fact Charlie and Ray were able to make the film was stuff of fantasy storytelling itself. Fortunately, GOLDEN VOYAGE did make money and the duo were able to make two more films because of it.

As for Ray, I don't know how much time the old master has left (hopefully a great deal more) and, like others on this board will be almost or, in my case, absolutely inconsolable when his time comes. But for the moment, let us remember the man who made Ray's talent available to us with some of the finest fantasy tales ever produced possible.



My thanks to you, sir.