The Valley of Gwangi in '60s Horror and Sci-Fi Forum

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The Valley of Gwangi

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rvoyttbots	The Valley of Gwangi	Lead	[-]
Nov 10 05 11:32 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The trumpeting of the elephant. It is so obvious that a person is doing a very BAD imitation of an elephant. Were they so broke when it came time to dub in the trumpeting? Really destroys the fight for me.
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carl2000	Re: The Valley of Gwangi	#1	[-]
Nov 11 05 12:30 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I feel so bad for elephants. They always get the short end of the stick in Harryhausen movies.
Unregistered(d)	Re: The Valley of Gwangi	#2	[-]
Nov 11 05 2:21 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The elephant aside, it's a technically exciting movie. There is a mean and cruel streak to it that puts me off a little. Gwangi's death is painful, plus there aren't any terrribly likable characters. They're all greedy and nobody raises any objection to exploiting Gwangi. Between the doddering professor, the kid and the prophecizing old woman, there are some tired stereotypes. "Cause it's rare that you ever know what to expect from a guy made of corpses with bolts in his neck."
gugon	Re: The Valley of Gwangi	#3	[-]
Nov 11 05 2:34 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Nevertheless---I think these are the most convincing stop-motion dinosaurs ever. It's a shame the story / actors / elephant sounds weren't better because in my opinion Harryhausen was at his peak with this film. The lassoing of the Allosaurus still blows me away, no matter how many times I've seen it.
TidesOfWerewolves	Re: The Valley of Gwangi	#4	[-]
Nov 11 05 6:07 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I also think the effects are still amazing, though the story is Kong-like without summing up much sympathy either for the Allosaurus or the main characters. The combining of cowboys and dinosaurs is brilliant and holds up just as well on film as it does in publicity material.
carl2000	Re: The Valley of Gwangi	#5	[-]
Nov 11 05 6:59 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Definitely some of Harryhausen's best work. The film score is great, too.
Rakshasa	Re: The Valley of Gwangi	#6	[-]
Nov 11 05 7:01 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The "Return To The Valley" extra on the Gwangi dvd is really great.
Paul Scrabo	..and music by Jerome Moross(!)	#7	[-]
Nov 11 05 8:47 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	And it has a score that makes it feel like it's the definitive gigantic Harryhausen film. Reminds one of THE BIG COUNTRY also by Moross of course. His best score to me is THE CARDINAL. Paul
Rhuvaughn Pynnonen	Re: ..and music by Jerome Moross(!)	#8	[-]
Nov 12 05 12:10 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Personally, I always liked the "unveiling of Gwangi" sequence, where the curtain rises, and the audience is horrified to see Gwangi chowing down on that midget. Now, that's a showstopper!
blackbiped	Re: ..and music by Jerome Moross(!)	#9	[-]
Nov 12 05 4:57 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	GWANGI was always one of my all-time favorite films to pop up on THE CBS LATE MOVIE. I always overlooked its shortcomings in favor of its overall wonderfulness. Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way.
Bill Warren	Re: ..and music by Jerome Moross(!)	#10	[-]
Nov 12 05 3:14 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I don't really care one way or the other about the less-than-authentic elephant bellows and trumpeting. But I do care about stuff like, as someone pointed out, Gwangi's unveiling in the bull ring, and the scenes inside the cathedral, where Gwangi literally looks like something from Hell.
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Arch Stanton	Re: VALLEY OF GWAGI	#11	[-]
Nov 13 05 12:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Personally, I always liked the "unveiling of Gwangi" sequence, where the curtain rises, and the audience is horrified to see Gwangi chowing down on that midget. FXRH, ryanbrennan, and I all had dinner with Harryhausen one time and he told us how he animated Gwangi inside the cage. Anyone want to take a guess as to how he did it?
MartinZ60	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#12	[-]
Nov 13 05 2:36 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Anyone want to take a guess as to how he did it? The set Gwangi was on could lowered beneath the cage, Gwangi could be manipulated, and the set raised back into position. This must have taken tremendous patience and endurance. In spite of all it's faults, GWANGI is one of my Harryhausen favorites. The lighting and setups in the cathedral. That great shot of Gwangi entering the courtyard, passing under a stone arch. The long shot of Gwangi and the Styracosaurus roaring at each other. And that wonderful Eohippus munching sugar. All the Best - MZ
MJ Simpson	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#13	[-]
Nov 13 05 6:30 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	A couple of years ago we showed this at my local cinema, together with JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS and an interview on stage with Ray (which I got to do, which was majorly cool). In picking the days' two films, JASON was obvious but the programmer was unsure what to show to round off the day. I said to try and get GWANGI which has always been my favourite Harryhausen picture. It turned out that there was a beautiful 35mm print sitting around that hadn't been screened for over 20 years. On the big screen, the film is simply amazing. Ray said he was very fond of the movie. I pointed out that, by featuring both dinosaurs AND cowboys, logically this must be the best film of all time and Ray loved that idea. http://www.MJSimpson.co.uk - cult movies and the people who make them
Arch Stanton	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#14	[-]
Nov 14 05 12:48 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* The set Gwangi was on could lowered beneath the cage, Gwangi could be manipulated, and the set raised back into position. This must have taken tremendous patience and endurance. Absolutely! And why in hell would he want to make a scene so hard for himself? Truly an amazing man.
Doctor 1313	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#15	[-]
Nov 14 05 1:20 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I remember seeing this movie as a kid at the local theater (the Little Theater in Bamburg, SC, to be exact). I'd sit through it twice if I could, I liked it that much. My favorite moments: Gwangi's first appearance leaping out from behind that rock, Gwangi being roped then biting through his restraints, Gwangi's reveal to the audience eating the midget, and Gwangi's stomping through the cathedral. Those slap-slapping of his feet on the stone floor sent shivering through me. DOCTOR 13
Bill Warren	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#16	[-]
Nov 14 05 2:21 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Okay, then how did he animate the Ymir inside the jelly?
MartinZ60	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#17	[-]
Nov 14 05 2:34 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My guess is that Harryhausen manipulated the Ymir model and gelatin egg on the side facing away from the camera, and carefully sliced as he went. The lights must have softened the gelatin, and it naturally fell away as the Ymir became more active and visible. The following scenes with Joan Taylor and Frank Puglia are highlights in the movie. They seem genuinely startled and amazed by this small, strange creature. All the Best - MZ
Bill Warren	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#18	[-]
Nov 14 05 2:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* My guess is that Harryhausen manipulated the Ymir model and gelatin egg on the side facing away from the camera, and carefully sliced as he went. The lights must have softened the gelatin, and it naturally fell away as the Ymir became more active and visible. Ummm, I don't think objects "naturally" fall away one frame at a time. I doubt that that stuff in the animation scenes was gelatin, precisely because it would gradually liquify under the bright lights. It was probably a more stable solid resembling gelatin. I need to look at the scene again. When Harryhausen showed up at Forry's just prior to the release of GWANGI, Forry invited a bunch of animation fans over, but, when they arrived, cautioned them that Harryhausen was reluctant to reveal how he did certain scenes. When a guy did ask a question like that, Harryhausen hesitated--then Forry mimed kicking the guy in the shin. Later, someone asked about the Ymir-in-the-gelatin shot--and Harryhausen mimed kicking him in the shins.
MartinZ60	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#19	[-]
Nov 14 05 3:09 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I don't think objects "naturally" fall away one frame at a time Yes, "naturally" was not correct in this case. The gelatin or similar substance must have shifted slightly between frames, and I imagine was somewhat difficult to control. Bill, that's a good story about Harryhausen's reluctance to discuss technical matters. I've wondered about certain shots, as well. Such as, what was the most difficult single shot of his career? Those wide shots of the skeletons and Jason's men in battle? Buildings crumbling in EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS? Mighty Joe's swinging and landing on nightclub scenery? All the best - MZ
Rakshasa	Re: VALLEY OF GWANGI	#20	[-]
Nov 14 05 3:09 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I watched The Valley Of Gwangi last night after following this thread. I must say, I was CRACKING UP when the elephant starts it's non-stop squawking. It really does sound like a guy doing a really bad elephant impression. I really love this flick, although it does take a good 45 minutes before we get to the secret valley. Thank goodness for that little horse, or those first 45 minutes would really drag. However, once it kicks into gear, the film fun is non-stop. I love the purple colored dinos (which seem to change color at times). Also cool how they worked in the life-sized prop heads of the pteredactyl and Gwangi himself. I also love that long shot of Gwangi riding in the wagon! I see what everyone means about the cruel side of the film. Gwangi's death is SO hard to watch. Very brutal. The dwarf getting eaten as the curtain rises and the cathedral scenes are the bomb!
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