Creature from the Black Lagoon still works almost seventy years after its release because its themes remain relevant.
When a geological dig in the Amazon river basin uncovers a fossilized, web-fingered hand that links land and sea creatures, an expedition ventures into the jungle to unearth the rest of the body. Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) and his boss, Dr. Mark Williams (Richard Denning,) along with David’s girlfriend, Kay (Julia Adams), and two other scientists, Dr. Thompson (Whit Bissell) and Dr. Maia (Antonio Moreno,) head to the dig site.
When the expedition arrives, the dig site’s camp is empty. The two men placed in charge have been murdered by what is assumed to be an animal, most likely a jaguar. Shrugging the deaths off, the expedition digs for eight days but find no trace of the rest of the fossilized body. Dr. Reed theorizes that the limestone in which the body was encased may have washed downstream. Their boat’s captain, Lucas (Nestor Paiva,) informs the expedition that the tributary ends in a lagoon. The locals call it the Black Lagoon because no one who has gone there has ever returned.
Dr. Williams green-lights the expedition to move to the Black Lagoon. Once there, the scientists search the lagoon bottom for limestone samples to compare with those from the dig site. They also stumble onto a living example of the fossilized creature they’ve been seeking. Dr. Williams wants to hunt it down and bring its body back as proof of their encounter. Dr. Reed sees more value in the creature being brought back alive, so it can be studied. The creature, on the other hand, is fascinated by Kay.
Confession time. Creature from the Black Lagoon is and always will be one of my favorite monster movies. When I was about 5 years old, my dad told me about a movie with “The Gillman.” I’d never heard of this creature despite watching as many monster movies on Saturday afternoons as I could handle. When I finally got to see the movie, I immediately fell in love with it the same way I loved 1933’s King Kong. Essentially, both are based on the “Beauty and the Beast” concept.
Although it might not seem scary by today’s standards, Creature from the Black Lagoon plays on more subtle fears. After watching it, imagine going swimming in a lake and having a fish brush by your leg. It seems impossible not to think — if only for a second — of the scene where the creature reaches out to touch Kay’s leg. Watching the Gillman swim in tandem with Kay as she goes for a dip in the lagoon is an iconic scene. It captures the curiosity of the creature about his visitors and, especially, his longing for the lovely, curvy one.
I would be remiss not to point out the excellent special effects, most notably the Gillman suit. Constructed by Bud Westmore from a concept by Milicent Patrick, there are two suits used in the film. One for the underwater scenes and another for those on land. Both are marvelously detailed and still look great today. Two different actors played the creature. Ricou Browning is responsible for the creature’s trademark swimming style and Ben Chapman gave the creature his shuffling, clumsy terrestrial gait.
Creature from the Black Lagoon still works almost seventy years after its release because its themes remain relevant. The consequences of environmental destruction in the name of science may not have been at the forefront of Harry Essex and Arthur Ross’ script, but it’s difficult to ignore as Reed and Williams poison the lagoon to bring up the creature. The creature isn’t invading humanity’s turf. It’s the other way around. If you don’t end up feeling sorry for him as he’s harpooned, shot, and poisoned simply for reacting to the intrusion on his domain, you may not have a heart.
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
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