CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) TURNS 70!!!

HORROR 101 with Dr. AC

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) d. Jack Arnold (USA) REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955) d. Jack Arnold (USA) THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US (1956) d. John Sherwood (USA)

One of the best sci-fi/horror efforts of the 1950s and must-see material for any card-carrying genre fan, Creature from the Black Lagoon was the brainchild of producer William Alland who blatantly riffed on King Kong’s storyline of a legendary beast sought out by civilized man for selfish designs. Screenwriters Harry Essex and Arthur Ross worked alongside legendary genre director Jack Arnold (who helmed such fare as It Came from Outer Space, Tarantula, and The Incredible Shrinking Man) to create an onscreen antagonist so fantastic that audiences could not help but empathize. The story follows a team of scientists (led by Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, and Julia Adams) who head into the wilds of South America in search of a mythical “living fossil,” a scaly humanoid amphibian that could serve as a missing link between land and sea creatures, leading to a fierce battle of wits and sheer animal instinct that will leave the Amazonian waters red with blood.... The famous aquatic ballet between Kay and the lovestruck Gill Man remains one of the most iconic sequences in horror history. Credit to Scotty Welbourne and James C. Havens for their excellent underwater photography, made all the more challenging for being shot in 3D. Though makeup department head Bud Westmore received sole credit, it quickly became common knowledge that the memorable monster design came from the skilled mind of Millicent Patrick, brought to life by suited performers Ben Chapman (on land) and Ricou Browning (swimming sequences). Creature’s famous three-note trumpets-blaring theme music was composed (uncredited) by Universal staff composer Herman Stein, with additional contributions from his studio staff colleagues Henry Mancini and Hans J. Salter, as well as cues from Universal’s stock music library. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Dan Kiggins, Lee Price, Bobby Zier) as they celebrate the last of the classic Universal Monsters on its 70th Anniversary! ------------------------ DAN KIGGINS has worked on a number of independent features, shorts, TV shows, and innumerable commercials over the past 15 years as a Jack of all trades. A self-proclaimed cinephile, he has a vast collection of film ephemera including over 3000 movies. LEE PRICE is dedicated to preserving and celebrating our history, culture, and monster movies through his work with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts and freelance writing. Occasional guest blogger at “Wonders in the Dark.” BOBBY ZIER has a passion for Dracula and runs a TikTok and YouTube channel called Lugosi Theatre @DustyOldMovies He recently received a Rondo Award for his effort in keeping classic horror alive and well. ------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!