--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Animation had been used only for things…" description: "\"Animation had been used only for things like King Kong and the destruction of cities, which was very popular in the 1950s. I got tired of destroying ci..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e40/ray-harryhausen-24684_animation_animation-had-been-used-only-for-things_1284778.jpg" --- # Animation had been used only for things like King Kong and… ![“Animation had been used only for things like King Kong and the destruction of cities, which was very popular in the 1950s. I got tired of destroying cities. I destroyed New York, I destroyed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Rome, and Washington. I was looking for a new outlet, and I came across…” quote by Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e40/ray-harryhausen-24684_animation_animation-had-been-used-only-for-things_1284778.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e40/ray-harryhausen-24684_animation_animation-had-been-used-only-for-things_1284778.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e40/ray-harryhausen-24684_animation_animation-had-been-used-only-for-things_1284778.jpg) > “Animation had been used only for things like King Kong and the destruction of cities, which was very popular in the 1950s. I got tired of destroying cities. I destroyed New York, I destroyed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Rome, and Washington. I was looking for a new outlet, and I came across the Sinbad legends.” [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He shifted from destructive city scenes to mythic adventures, seeking fresh creative expression through legendary tales. **In simple terms:** He moved from city destruction to mythic stories for new inspiration. Key Takeaway Explore new narratives when old ones feel exhausted. Themes creativity mythology innovation Mood reflective inspired Type creative analytical When to use this quote - Film production - concept art - creative brainstorming - genre experimentation Key Concepts Storytelling visual effects legendary narratives Questions to Reflect On - How can mythic themes revitalize a creator’s portfolio? - What modern legends could replace ancient ones? A Different Perspective Risk of losing audience if new direction feels too niche. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animation/) [Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridges/) [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Golden gate bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-gate-bridge/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Legends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legends/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [Rome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rome/) [San francisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/san-francisco/) ## Related quotes > [I have a very low tolerance for animation. I'm used to the perfect integrity you get from drawing your own comics. There's something about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-clowes/i-have-a-very-low-tolerance-for-animation-i-m-used-to-the-perfect/) [Daniel Clowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-clowes/) > [No loss by flood and lightning, no destruction of cities and temples by the hostile forces of nature, has deprived man of so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/no-loss-by-flood-and-lightning-no-destruction-of-cities-and-temples/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“there is some evidence that governments are getting even more sluggish. It took America four years to build the Golden Gate Bridge, starting in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-micklethwait/there-is-some-evidence-that-governments-are-getting-even-more/) [John Micklethwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-micklethwait/) > [I've got one of those over-stuffed leather chairs from the Pottery Barn. It faces north. I live in San Francisco, so there's the Golden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/i-ve-got-one-of-those-over-stuffed-leather-chairs-from-the-pottery/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > [My slightly scary moment while travelling was when I decided to run across the Golden Gate Bridge in California. The weather was unbearably cold,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-dutta/my-slightly-scary-moment-while-travelling-was-when-i-decided-to-run/) [Nikita Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-dutta/) > [Running gives me a clearer perspective on the world ... I've always seen the world by running, and that has allowed me to view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grete-waitz/running-gives-me-a-clearer-perspective-on-the-world-i-ve-always-seen/) [Grete Waitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grete-waitz/) > [“What I failed to see was that, by ending my life, I would cause interminable pain to my family and friends. I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hines/what-i-failed-to-see-was-that-by-ending-my-life-i-would-cause/) Kevin Hines > [“each other in Marin County in Larkspur, which is about ten miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Larkspur’s eleven thousand residents”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-siegel/each-other-in-marin-county-in-larkspur-which-is-about-ten-miles-north/) [Sheldon Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-siegel/) > [“And Whoever is in charge of all this will walk with us, and will help us to sort out the mysteries and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-lynn-pearson/and-whoever-is-in-charge-of-all-this-will-walk-with-us-and-will-help/) [Carol Lynn Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-lynn-pearson/) > [“Golden Gate Bridge in Marin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-siegel/golden-gate-bridge-in-marin/) [Sheldon Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-siegel/) > [See them other chicken heads? They don't never leave the coop I'm in the coupe cruising, I got the stolen plates Serving all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kreayshawn/see-them-other-chicken-heads-they-don-t-never-leave-the-coop-i-m-in/) [Kreayshawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kreayshawn/) > [“Before they were done, he'd bought her tons of new clothes, underwear, perfume-because a saleslady had accosted them and he decided she definitely needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-faegen/before-they-were-done-he-d-bought-her-tons-of-new-clothes-underwear/) [Trinity Faegen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-faegen/) > [“One soft humid early spring morning driving a winding road across Mount Tamalpais, the 2,500-foot mountain just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/one-soft-humid-early-spring-morning-driving-a-winding-road-across/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [My parents wielded disposal cameras and Polaroids with the best of them, occasionally begging for at least one decent photo of my brother and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pilon/my-parents-wielded-disposal-cameras-and-polaroids-with-the-best-of/) [Mary Pilon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pilon/) > [“Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, at high speed, her eyes fixed on the road, Abigail asked, a little loudly above the hum, 'Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-hill/crossing-the-golden-gate-bridge-at-high-speed-her-eyes-fixed-on-the/) Lindsay Hill ## More by Ray Harryhausen > [There’s a strange quality in stop-motion photography, like in King Kong, that adds to the fantasy. If you make things too real, sometimes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/there-s-a-strange-quality-in-stop-motion-photography-like-in-king/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I still go to the conventions, and I like to hear the point of view of people today. I'm a little afraid they're being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-still-go-to-the-conventions-and-i-like-to-hear-the-point-of-view-of/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [If you make things too real, sometimes you bring it down to the mundane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/if-you-make-things-too-real-sometimes-you-bring-it-down-to-the-mundane/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I had to learn to do everything because I couldn't find another kindred soul. Now you see eighty people listed doing the same things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-had-to-learn-to-do-everything-because-i-couldn-t-find-another/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [One film critic back in the early days said "It's a pity Mr. Harryhausen didn't animated the actors, too."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/one-film-critic-back-in-the-early-days-said-it-s-a-pity-mr/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [Animation requires a great deal of concentration, and I preferred to work alone because then I'm not deterred by somebody asking me if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/animation-requires-a-great-deal-of-concentration-and-i-preferred-to/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I know pretty well in the broad sense what I'm going to do, because I have to know that when we shoot the live-action,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-know-pretty-well-in-the-broad-sense-what-i-m-going-to-do-because-i/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [Many times I felt like I'd do better than what the director did, but some of them got a little discouraged because they didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/many-times-i-felt-like-i-d-do-better-than-what-the-director-did-but/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I prefer to work alone and do everything alone, even today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-prefer-to-work-alone-and-do-everything-alone-even-today/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I was never restricted. I was never told what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-was-never-restricted-i-was-never-told-what-to-do/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [The whole point of making a film is to tell a story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/the-whole-point-of-making-a-film-is-to-tell-a-story/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I took courses at USC in film editing and art direction and photography when I was still in high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-took-courses-at-usc-in-film-editing-and-art-direction-and/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [I brought in the stories many times. I don't just do animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/i-brought-in-the-stories-many-times-i-don-t-just-do-animation/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [That's why I never became a director. I never had patience with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/that-s-why-i-never-became-a-director-i-never-had-patience-with-people/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) > [You could believe that Sinbad could fight a skeleton because that's from a period in the past, a magical period. But if you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/you-could-believe-that-sinbad-could-fight-a-skeleton-because-that-s/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) [Explore all 24 Ray Harryhausen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) ## More Animation quotes > [If I'm doing a voice-over session, like animation or something, and I'm doing three different voices, you've gotta separate them. You've gotta find the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-adlon/if-i-m-doing-a-voice-over-session-like-animation-or-something-and-i-m/) [Pamela Adlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-adlon/) > [I was always into cartoons and animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-always-into-cartoons-and-animation/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [What's unique about Disney Animation, many of the films have this perennial quality about them. They don't seem like old films, they still seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-minkoff/what-s-unique-about-disney-animation-many-of-the-films-have-this/) [Rob Minkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-minkoff/) > [I was always tinkering around with stuff but nothing serious at the time. I was doing animations and drawing like crazy, but I wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-vangaalen/i-was-always-tinkering-around-with-stuff-but-nothing-serious-at-the/) Chad VanGaalen > [In feature animation, cartoony or exaggerated animation is almost taboo. There is this precedent that if you do that kind of stuff people won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genndy-tartakovsky/in-feature-animation-cartoony-or-exaggerated-animation-is-almost/) [Genndy Tartakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genndy-tartakovsky/) > [CGI has fully ruined car crashes. Because how can you be impressed with them now? When you watch them in the '70s, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/cgi-has-fully-ruined-car-crashes-because-how-can-you-be-impressed/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [To this day I over prepare. I draw storyboards for every scene - chicken scratches so crude that they amuse and horrify the crew.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stoltz/to-this-day-i-over-prepare-i-draw-storyboards-for-every-scene-chicken/) [Eric Stoltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stoltz/) > [I was invited to join the MGM cartoon department. But if I'd started work in animation I'd have had to take a cut in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/i-was-invited-to-join-the-mgm-cartoon-department-but-if-i-d-started/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [I took a lot of influences from Studio Ghibli, which is the Japanese animation studio that made 'Spirited Away' and 'Castle in the Sky.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-hewlett/i-took-a-lot-of-influences-from-studio-ghibli-which-is-the-japanese/) [Jamie Hewlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-hewlett/) > [I've worked in animation for a long time. I started in Spain and I wanted to make feature films. That desire to figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-garcia/i-ve-worked-in-animation-for-a-long-time-i-started-in-spain-and-i/) [Raul Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-garcia/) > [If you were to look at an old 'Betty Boop' cartoon or an 'Out of the Ink Well' animation, there are many things about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-seibert/if-you-were-to-look-at-an-old-betty-boop-cartoon-or-an-out-of-the-ink/) [Fred Seibert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-seibert/) > [Animation has always been about technology. You can't have animation without technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-wedge/animation-has-always-been-about-technology-you-can-t-have-animation/) [Chris Wedge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-wedge/) > [In a movie, it's often important to have aliens whose gestures and facial expressions can be 'read' by humans. And in the days before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/in-a-movie-it-s-often-important-to-have-aliens-whose-gestures-and/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Tigress is my alternate personality, especially with children. I love animation because you get to do things you don't normally get to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/tigress-is-my-alternate-personality-especially-with-children-i-love/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [With live-action I think we'd have lost the universal appeal of the Persepolis story. With live-action, it would have turned into a story of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjane-satrapi/with-live-action-i-think-we-d-have-lost-the-universal-appeal-of-the/) [Marjane Satrapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjane-satrapi/) [Browse all 837 Animation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Animation had been used only for things like King Kong and the destruction of cities, which was very popular in the 1950s. I got tired of destroying cities. I destroyed New York, I destroyed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Rome, and Washington. 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