Harryhausen Producer Charles Schneer Dies

News reports say producer Charles H. Schneer, who worked with Ray Harryhausen on many of his special effects epics, has died at the age of 88 in Boca Raton, Florida. Schneer passed away on Jan. 21.

Schneer got his start at Universal, then worked with Sam Katzman's B-picture unit at Columbia, where he met Harryhausen while the special effects creator was working on his giant octopus feature IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA.

From there, Harryhausen and Schneer worked on effects films like EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCER and 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH, while Schneer produced on his own films like HELLCATS OF THE NAVY and FACE OF A FUGITIVE.

Getting Harryhausen to work in color, Schneer produced their biggest 1950s-era hit THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD as well as THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND and JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, Schneer's favorite of their long collaboration.

Schneer then worked as an independent producer in London before re-teaming with Harryhausen on THE VALLEY OF GWANGI, THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD, SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER and their final film, the big budget CLASH OF THE TITANS at MGM.

He was an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was the Chairman of the London Events Committee from 1989 to 1998. Schneer is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley, their two daughters, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a sister.

Donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.