While filming Citizen Kane in 1941, producer/actor William Alland was told a story by Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa. He told Alland about a race of humanoid fish-like creatures living in the Amazon, and Alland started writing story ideas. Going into the 1950s, the old Universal monster movies were considered old-fashioned as new atomic horrors started appearing in theaters. Movies revolving around science experiments gone wrong, alien invaders, and radioactive monsters were the new thing at the time. As such, Alland hired writers Maurice Zimm, Harry Essex, and Arthur Ross to further develop his story ideas. Jack Arnold, who previously directed It Cam from Outer Space in 1953 for Universal, was hired to helm the project. The result is considered to be the last of the classic Universal Monsters and one of their more ambitious outings. In early 1954, Creature from the Black Lagoon was released in 3D.
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Synopsis
Deep in the Amazon, Dr. Carl Maia (Antonio Moreno) uncovers a fossil of a hand with webbed fingers. He brings it back to the marine biology institute to study further with former student Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson). After looking over the fossil, David convinces his boss Dr. Mark Williams (Richard Denning) to fund a return expedition. Back at the campsite, Carl’s assistants are attacked by an amphibious humanoid creature, who’s the same species as the fossil. Meanwhile, the group boards the steamboat Rita alongside David’s girlfriend Kay Lawrence (Julie Adams) and Dr. Edwin Thompson (Whit Bissell). As they further explore the Amazon, they happen upon the “Black Lagoon”, where the eponymous creature resides. While David and Mark gather samples, the creature falls for Kay and starts stalking her waiting for its chance. What will happen to Kay as she’s being pursued by the Creature from the Black Lagoon?
Review
The 1950s were dominated by cheaply-made and goofy B-movies, but Creature from the Black Lagoon isn’t one of them. It’s easy to see how the titular creature, aka the “Gill-Man”, was considered the last of the classic monsters. Not only does it have a uniquely creative design, but it has sympathetic qualities similar to the Frankenstein monster. If you think about it, the creature is just defending his territory from outside forces it sees as threatening. You could argue that it does try to kidnap Kay, though it’s very similar to the relationship in King Kong. Directing-wise, Jack Arnold does a good job, especially with the underwater cinematography, which was ambitious at the time. Many of the underwater shots seemed to have possibly influenced similar scenes in Jaws, which was made twenty years later. Whether or not Spielberg was influenced, it’s certainly a coincidence.
The Gill-Man was portrayed by two actors, Ben Chapman on land and Ricou Browning underwater, though you’d never know. They both act in a very similar way, and there’s not much of a difference between the two costumes. Speaking of acting, the main cast does a fairly solid job, Carlson and Adams being the highlights. Adams fits the damsel-in-distress role well, though she does act like an equal to the men she’s acting off of. The creature’s design was conceptualized by Milicent Patrick, Jack Kevan building the bodysuit and Chris Mueller Jr. sculpting the head. Under the supervision of make-up effects artist Bud Westmore, they managed to create one of the most iconic characters ever. At 80 minutes long, the movie doesn’t overstay its welcome but takes time to build suspense and tension throughout. Overall, Creature from the Black Lagoon deserves its place with the Universal Monsters.
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