Ray Harryhausen: Miniature Models of the Silver Screen
September 30, 2025 – May 3, 2026
Photos courtesy of The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation (Charity No SC001419)
“Wonder stimulates the imagination…most people feel it is rather childish to have an imagination. I don’t agree with that; I think you should go through life and imagine the very best.”
– Ray Harryhausen
Exhibit Overview
From the collection of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation in Edinburgh, Scotland, The Mini Time Machine Museum is honored to present a distinguished selection of miniature armatured models from Ray Harryhausen's most iconic films, including Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts! In a career that spanned over 30 years, Harryhausen’s groundbreaking “dynamation” techniques allowed live actors to seemingly interact with stop-motion creatures, dazzling audiences with special effects that would go on to inspire the work of contemporary filmmakers such as George Lucas, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, and Tim Burton. This acclaimed exhibition will spotlight his models, archival footage, artist sketches, original artworks, and film paraphernalia from the Harryhausen archives.
This exhibition features over 130 archival works from:
- Clash of the Titans (1981)
- Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)
- First Men in the Moon (1964)
- It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)
- Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
- Mighty Joe Young (1949)
- Mysterious Island (1961)
- One Million Years B.C. (1966)
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
- The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
- The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)
- The Mother Goose Stories (1946)
- The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960)
- The Valley of Gwangi (1969)
- The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
- 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)
Meet the Artist
Ray Harryhausen with the model of Bubo from the 1981 film Clash of the Titans. Photograph by Andy Johnson.
Ray Harryhausen is regarded as a pioneer and one of the great 20th century artists of stop-motion animation. His extensive career is showcased through original armatured models, artwork, miniatures and props, that transports us back to the silver screen. Creatures and artwork from such films as 1949’s Mighty Joe Young, where Ray began as a technician, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Earth vs the Flying Saucers, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, and the 1981 Clash of the Titans bring to life the imagination of Ray Harryhausen.
“Growing up around Dad’s fabulous creatures was just everyday life for me. I even had the T-rex Gwangi in my doll’s pram! Today I am passionate about protecting his collection and legacy for future generations.”
– Vanessa Harryhausen,
Ray Harryhausen’s daughter and
Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation
Calling all Harryhausen fans! The Mini Time Machine Museum is excited to partner with The Loft Cinema for a special Q & A matinee screening of Jason and the Argonauts on Saturday, October 4, 2025! Ray Harryhausen’s daughter, Vanessa Harryhausen, and Connor Heaney, the Collections Manager for the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation, will be here to answer questions and give insight into Ray’s work and legacy after the film! Tickets to the screening can be purchased from The Loft beginning in August 2025.
The Mini Time Machine Museum is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation, a charitable trust with the primary aims of continuing Ray’s hopes for the future and archiving, preserving and restoring Ray’s extensive collection. It is estimated that there are in excess of 50,000 items in the Foundation’s collection, including original armatured models, moulds, artwork, stills, negatives, film equipment, screenplays, and test footage.
'Ray Harryhausen' ® is a protected trademark of The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation (charity no. SC001419)
