Because most of the real talent in making a movie is behind the camera and known only to fans. The actors they call “talent” are usually a joke and suitable only as fodder for tabloids and they disintegrate in public.

At least you only have to mourn as a spectator. Consider my situation the past six years I’ve been working on “The Saucer Fleet.” I started writing it in 2002 and the subjects have been shuffling off this mortal coil at a regular pace. Going in chapter order, here’s who’s left us:

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Robert Wise (director)

War of the Worlds - Al Nozaki (art director, designer of the war machines) and Les Tremayne (General Mann).

This Island Earth - Joseph Newman (director)

Forbidden Planet - Bebe Barron (music, well, “electronic tonalities”) and Les Tremayne again (opening narration).

Lost in Space - Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith)

Disneyland Flying Saucer Ride - John Hench, project manager.

At least Ray Harryhausen (Earth vs. the Flying Saucers) is still with us, as is Roy Thinnes (The Invaders). Hope I can get this out before any more of them depart.

- Jack

I’m not at all confused about which film version of “The Thing” he worked on, really. Edward asked a question about that and it was answered quickly by John Rich

So, I loaded up his filmography on IMDB so they could get a sense of the movies they’ve seen but didn’t know he was involved with.

With each one that they recognized, they would issue a screech. Once they saw JP IV, I had to stop and send them out of the room lest my ears begin to bleed.

My youngest recently received the Jurassic Park box set for his birthday and both children have thoroughly enjoyed the “making of” features so Stan is coincidentally fresh in their minds. Their grief is genuine as is their gratitude.

To all of us who are feeling the loss, my sincerest condolences and appreciation not only to those close to Stan but also to those who stand in awe of the art he produced.

Generations of artists are inspired by his work. That is one magnificent legacy.

Kol

Rob Bottin designed and built a bulk of what you see in that film. Stan Winton and crew were called in to help Bottin with the massive workload which was just too much for 1 man to oversee.

Winton’s contribution to the movie is the, already mentioned, kennel scene.

If you buy the DVD of The Thing there is an amazing 2 hour long documentary about the making of the film, and has a great interview with Stan Winston, and even he says something like “I don’t want to take any thing away from Rob, this is HIS movie!”