Creature from the Black Lagoon is a fairly straight-forward horror film, but even sixty-five years later, it still works. The movie plays on the fear of the unknown creature. Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, there might be some kind of ancient, half-fish-half-man horror that sets out to kill all humans who come into its territory. Maybe it even wants to steal away the women to continue living. That's a scary thought, in and of itself. When you add that to the movie's best quality, the score, it makes for some truly chilling, truly tense scenes. The whole film is well done, especially for 1954. The set design is fully believable, and the acting is solid all around. Julie Adams specifically does a great job. Even gill-man's costume was relatively well done, especially for the time.
We didn't come here to fight monsters, we're not equipped for it. Out of Universal Pictures, Creature from the Black Lagoon is directed by Jack Arnold, and stars Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, and Whit Bissell. The eponymous creature was played by Ben Chapman on land and Ricou Browning for the underwater scenes. The cinematography is by William E. Snyder and the score is composed by a trio of men, Henry Mancini, Hans J. Salter & Herman Stein. The story sees a scientific expedition at the top end of the Amazon encounter a Devonian Period amphibious creature. As the creature starts to defend its turf by attacking members of the expedition, in fighting begins to take a hold as the men argue about the best course of action to take. Should it be killed, or should it be captured for scientific research? Either way they need to act fast as the creature has taken a fancy to Kay, the sole female member of the expedition group. One of the better creature features that surfaced in the 1950s, Creature from the Black Lagoon was one of the film's made as part of the 3D craze that filtered out of Hollywood in 53 & 54. However, unlike many of those film's that were made in the format over those two years, this one has rightly managed to break away from its gimmicky beginnings to become regarded as a genre classic. There are many reasons why it is still well regarded and taken in appreciatively by newcomers. The story of course is nothing new, the old "beauty & the beast" theme can be traced back to the daddy himself, "King Kong". But much like Kong, Arnold's movie thrives within the endearing story by getting the audience to sympathise with the titular creature. He is after all only defending his territory, he was happy wallowing down in the depths, remaining undiscovered for many a moon. That he is fascinated by the considerable beauty of Kay Lawrence (Adams sexy and gorgeous), is no crime either. The amount of sympathy garnered for "Gill-Man" is helped enormously by the illogical actions of the humans; who in turn go diving and swimming where legend has it men get eaten! This coupled with their bickering about pro science or trophy hunting makes it easy to side with the amphibious one. It also helps that the film is pretty brisk and only runs for 80 minutes, there's no sags or pointless filler. Too many similar film's of its ilk labour until the monster shows up and all hell then breaks loose. But under Arnold's (It Came From Outer Space/The Incredible Shrinking Man) astute direction, atmosphere and unease is built up by ominous talk and sightings of the Black Lagoon-and only initial glimpses of the creature's scaly webbed claw; accompanied by the attention grabbing theme music. And when the creature finally reveals itself it doesn't disappoint for its an impressive creation. A half-man/half-fish creature covered in scales, resplendent with gills and with cold, dark featureless eyes. It also has great characteristics with a distinctive swimming style in the water, and a lumbering Frankenstein thing going on when on the land. A definitive monster that would be merchandised for ever after. There's also technical accomplishments away from the creature itself, notably with the memorable underwater photography by Snyder, who uses a portable camera to flow with the swimming sequences, while his shadow and light work down in the depths is memorably mood enhancing. The three tiered score is also one of the best to feature in a "B" movie schlocker, three different composers, three different emotional strands; nice. Then there's of course the definitive sequence, the sexy underwater flirting as "Gill-Man" swims below the shapely form of Kay, beguiled by her, it's love at first sight. He's not the only one beguiled, we all are, as was Steven Spileberg, who would homage the more dramatic part of the sequence in his opening for Jaws 21 years later. Whilst last but not least it should be mentioned that there are little asides to ecological issues in the piece, something Arnold was want to do. Two sequels would follow, Arnold would return for "Revenge Of The Creature" in 1955 and then the John Sherwood directed "The Creature Walks Among Us" would round off the trilogy in 1956. It's the original that still holds up today. 8/10
'Creature from the Black Lagoon' is an entertaining flick from 1954. For a film made so long ago, it really does age nicely. Sure some of the ways used to bring the creature to life look a little dorky in patches, but for the most part I felt the required creepiness - especially via the creature's face. It has the feel of a very well made production, which is little surprise given it's a Universal production of course. I also like how it has a sense of knowledge to it, who knows if it all adds up but it sounds the part at least. I enjoyed the cast, they all work well together onscreen. Richard Carlson, Julie Adams and Richard Denning are naturally the standouts, though I also found Nestor Paiva to be decent. Interesting to note that two people played the Gillman, with Ben Chapman on land and Ricou Browning underwater. The start of a trilogy, I'm keen to check out the two sequels.
In a futuristic city sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the son of the city's mastermind meets a prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
Movie Star Rating : 8.2 Read More
Captain Jack Sparrow works his way out of a blood debt with the ghostly Davy Jones to avoid eternal damnation.
Movie Star Rating : 7.3 Read More
Members of an American scientific research outpost in Antarctica find themselves battling a parasitic alien organism capable of perfectly imitating its victims. They soon discover that this task will be harder than they thought, as they don't know which members of the team have already been assimilated and their paranoia threatens to tear them apart.
Movie Star Rating : 8 Read More
A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.
Movie Star Rating : 7.1 Read More
Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.
Movie Star Rating : 6.4 Read More
After recovering from injuries sustained in the mob attack upon himself and his creation, Dr. Frankenstein falls under the control of his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius, who insists the now-chastened doctor resume his experiments in creating new life. Meanwhile, the Monster remains on the run from those who wish to destroy him without understanding that his intentions are generally good despite his lack of socialization and self-control.
Movie Star Rating : 7.6 Read More
Francis, a young man, recalls in his memory the horrible experiences he and his fiancée Jane recently went through. Francis and his friend Alan visit The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, an exhibit where the mysterious doctor shows the somnambulist Cesare, and awakens him for some moments from his death-like sleep.
Movie Star Rating : 8 Read More
Two musicians witness a mob hit and struggle to find a way out of the city before they are found by the gangsters. Their only opportunity is to join an all-girl band as they leave on a tour. To make their getaway they must first disguise themselves as women, then keep their identities secret and deal with the problems this brings - such as an attractive bandmate and a very determined suitor.
Movie Star Rating : 8.1 Read More
Adventurous filmmaker, Carl Denham, sets out to produce a motion picture unlike anything the world has seen before. Alongside his leading lady Ann Darrow and his first mate Jack Driscoll, they arrive on an island and discover a legendary creature said to be neither beast nor man. Denham captures the monster to displayed on Broadway as Kong, the eighth wonder of the world.
Movie Star Rating : 7.6 Read More
James Bond must investigate a mysterious murder case of a British agent in New Orleans. Soon he finds himself up against a gangster boss named Mr. Big.
Movie Star Rating : 6.5 Read More
For All Humankind 2023 - Movies (Feb 5th)
Knock at the Cabin 2023 - Movies (Feb 5th)
Gwen Shamblin Starving for Salvation 2023 - Movies (Feb 5th)
Rob Beckett Wallop 2022 - Movies (Feb 5th)
Alan Partridge - Stratagem 2023 - Movies (Feb 4th)
Baby Ruby 2022 - Movies (Feb 4th)
Secrets In the Marriage 2023 - Movies (Feb 4th)
Strange World 2022 - Movies (Feb 4th)
Condors Nest 2023 - Movies (Feb 4th)
The Locksmith 2023 - Movies (Feb 4th)
First Blood 2022 - Movies (Feb 4th)
Crimson Point 2022 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Taurus 2022 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Mindcage 2022 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
True Spirit 2023 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Stromboli 2022 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Stand 2023 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Clean 2022 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Plane 2023 - Movies (Feb 3rd)
Rowdy 2022 - Movies (Feb 2nd)
Alice, Darling 2022 - Movies (Feb 2nd)
Murf the Surf- Jewels, Jesus, and Mayhem in the USA - (Feb 6th)
22 Kids and Counting - (Feb 6th)
The Cruise - (Feb 6th)
Love Island- Aftersun - (Feb 6th)
Love Island - (Feb 6th)
The Great Pottery Throw Down - (Feb 6th)
Match of the Day 2 - (Feb 5th)
Vera - (Feb 5th)
All 4 Adventure - (Feb 5th)
MILF Manor - (Feb 5th)
Happy Valley - (Feb 5th)
Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom - (Feb 5th)
Call the Midwife - (Feb 5th)
Rico to the Rescue - (Feb 5th)
Rain- The Untold Story - (Feb 5th)
Mary Makes it Easy - (Feb 5th)
Hamster and Gretel - (Feb 5th)
Dirty Jobs - (Feb 5th)
Married at First Sight - (Feb 5th)
Australian Survivor - (Feb 5th)