Greek mythology has always been fertile ground for filmmaking. In 1963, a joint Anglo-American adventure film titled Jason and the Argonauts hit movie theaters, delivering one of the finest films in the Greek mythology genre along with an array of fantastic movie memorabilia for todays collectors. Jason and the Argonauts (working title: Jason and the Golden Fleece) was produced by Charles H. Schneer for Morningside Worldwide Pictures, S.A. and Columbia Pictures. Writing the screenplay were Beverley Cross and Jan Read with Don Chaffey serving as director, Wilkie Cooper as cinematographer, Maurice Rootes as film editor and Bernard Hermann as music director. Providing the films all-important special effects was the legendary Ray Harryhausen, with Dorse A. Lanpher and Dan MacManus in uncredited support. Heading the cast were Todd Armstrong as Jason, Nancy Kovack as Medea, Gary Raymond as Acastus and Laurence Naismith as Argos. Also on board were Niall MacGinnis (Zeus), Michael Gwynn (Hermes/Priest), Douglas Wilmer (Pelias), Jack Gwillim (King Aeetes), Honor Blackman (Hera), John Cairney (Hylas), Patrick Troughton (Phineas), Andrew Faulds (Phalerus) and Nigel Green (Hercules). Budgeted at an estimated $2.5 to $3 million, Jason and the Argonauts was shot on location in Italy, specifically Palinuro and Paestum. One of the biggest cash outlays for the film was the prop ship for the Argo, which cost $250,000. Other large expenses included special visual effects wizard Ray Harryhausens intricate, time-consuming work on the movie, which encompassed five significant Dynamation sequences using stop-motion photography and pre-computer generated images (CGI) effects. In fact, the famous scene featuring the seven skeleton warriors alone took Harryhausen some four and a half months to complete. Principal photography on the picture was completed by February 1962 with Harryhausens special effects finished by November of that year. Jason and the Argonauts begins with the murder of King Aristo by Pelias, whose act elevates him to the throne of Thessaly. During the mayhem, one of the slain kings soldiers manages to spirit away Aristos infant son Jason. But one of Aristos daughters isnt as fortunate, as Pelias slays her in the temple of the goddess Hera. Outraged by Peliass profane act, Hera becomes Jasons protector, warning the new king to beware of a one-sandaled man. Twenty years later, the protective Hera arranges an accident near a river whereby Jason rescues Pelias from drowning. During the rescue Jason loses a sandal, thus fulfilling the one-sandaled man prophecy, which Pelias immediately recognizes. Pelias learns that Jason plans to launch an expedition to bring back the legendary Golden Fleece, an act which Pelias encourages, hoping that Jason will be killed in the attempt. Hermes then spirits Jason to Mount Olympus, where he meets with Zeus and Hera. Zeus decrees that Hera can only help Jason five times during his quest for the Golden Fleece, the same number of times Jasons slain sister Briseis called on Hera for protection during the latters murder in the temple. Jason begins building his ship, the Argo, and recruiting crew members from all over Greece to man her. Among those signing on are Hercules, Hylas and Acastus. Unknown to Jason and the rest of the crew, Acastus is the son of Pelias, who was dispatched by his father to sabotage the expedition. Hera instructs Jason and his Argonauts to look for the Golden Fleece in the land of Colchis. Their first stop is the Isle of Bronze, where they are to take on provisions and nothing else. Hercules, however, steals a brooch, thus bringing to life one of the islands protectors, the 100-foot bronze statue Talos. The marauding Talos lays siege to the Argonauts, finally grounding to a halt when Jason (as instructed by Hera) drains the life out of the statue by opening a large plug on the monsters heel. Hylas, however, is crushed to death when the now-lifeless Talos comes crashing to the ground, demoralizing a guilt-ridden Hercules. The journey continues at Heras direction, with the Argonauts meeting with Phineus, a blind prophet who is being tormented by harpies. After the men capture and cage the winged beasts, a liberated Phineus tells Jason how to reach the land of the Golden Fleece. It will be a perilous journey, with the Argo attempting to navigate the treacherous Clashing Rocks. The Argonauts finally reach Colchis, but the intrigue and danger continue. The capture and return of the fabled Golden Fleece will not be an easy endeavor. Jason and the Argonauts premiered in Boston, Mass., on June 19, 1963. Although the film garnered some good reviews, most notably from Daily Variety, it failed to ring many bells at the box office. Years later, however, the picture became a baby boomer classic, with actor Tom Hanks being one of its biggest fans. Fantastic is the best word to describe Jason and the Argonauts, a film which special effects impresario Ray Harryhausen (1920-2013) considers his personal best. Collectors love the movie as well, pursuing all matter of memorabilia related to the now-cult adventure classic. Leading the way is the films standard one sheet poster (27-by-41 inches), which features the blurb: The Epic Story That Was Destined To Stand As A Colossus Of Adventure! One example, featuring splendid artwork by Howard Terpning, in folded fine/very fine condition, brought a top bid of $262.90 at auction. Always a collector favorite is the eight-card lobby set, which was displayed in movie theater lobbies to entice customers. Among the colorful scenes featured is the mighty Talos on the Isle of Bronze, Triton and the Clashing Rocks, Zeus and Hera on Mount Olympus and Jason battling the seven skeleton soldiers sowed from the teeth of the Hydra. One set in very fine condition sailed to a top bid of $406.30. The movies half sheet poster style A (22-by-28 inches) is also a great piece of memorabilia. One example in rolled, very fine condition realized a top bid of $150. Another gem is the pictures window card (14-by-22 inches), a promotional item displayed in the windows of businesses around town, such as cafes, barbershops, shoe stores, et al. One card, touting the Jefferson Theatre of Lafayette, La., (completely air-conditioned!), in fine+ condition sold at auction for $122.40. Also look for the films insert poster (14-by-36 inches), which is dominated by the mighty Talos. One example in folded, very fine- condition brought $79 at auction. Foreign movie posters can also be a rich treasure trove of memorabilia. The French Grande film poster (46-by-62 inches), titled Jason Et Les Argonautes, is a prime example. One such poster, featuring superb artwork by Charles Rau, in folded, very fine- condition, sold at auction for $107.55. Another outstanding piece is the first release Spanish one sheet poster (27-by-39 inches) from 1980 titled Jason Y Los Argonautas, with artwork by Howard Terpning. One example in folded, very fine- condition brought $89 at auction. A variety of offbeat memorabilia is also available. Many collectors favor the August-October 1963 Dell movie tie-in comic book, whose cover features the god Triton holding the sides of the Clashing Rocks as the Argo passes through. One example in CGC graded Near Mint+ 9.6 condition realized a top bid of $406.30 at auction. Another offbeat collectible gem is the 12 polystone display statue featuring Talos, a limited edition piece sculpted by Toshinobu Takagaki for X-Plus/Ray Harryhausen Film Library in 2000. One example, still in its colorful box, sold at auction for $156. Auction results and images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas. William J. Felchner is a graduate of Illinois State University. His work has appeared in a number of periodicals, including Hot Rod, True West, Corvette Quarterly, Sports Collectors Digest, Old West, Movie Collectors World, Goldmine and Pennsylvania Magazine.