Sci-Fi Classic Review: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954)
As the last of the Universal Classic Monsters, the Gillman puts an interesting spin on a familiar formula.
If you're looking for a "review" in the traditional sense, then let me just say I love this movie. This video, however, is a "review" in the literal sense (using the Miriam-Webster definition "a retrospective view or survey"), in that I'm going over the history of the film and its place in sci-fi cinema history.
In other words, please stop commenting on how my videos aren't what you consider "reviews."
#CreaturefromtheBlackLagoon #Gillman #UniversalClassicMonsters
00:00 Introduction
01:04 Synopsis
02:00 Production Background
03:37 Casting
04:33 The Gillman
07:31 Shameless Self-Promotion
08:18 Filming
09:13 Release & Legacy
10:45 Opinion & Analysis
12:59 Outro
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One of the best monster suits of all time.
Fantastic look at such an underappreciated movie. The Gill Man does deserve a place with Dracula and The Frankenstein Monster as classic monsters and a cornerstone of the sci-fi/horror genre.
Yes, when I saw "The Shape of Water" the first thing I thought of was "Creature from the Black Lagoon".
Rico Browning was the star of this film, he was amazing, he had to hold his breath for anywhere up to 5 minutes during the underwater filming sequences. 5 minutes! 😮😮😮 Incredible feat!
I've seen the Creature more than a few times and was very fortunate to see the 3D version at a screening in Winnipeg. Although 3D is cheesy the parallel swimming sequence does come off as magical with this in effect. Also, once again kudos to you on a cheeky edit with the depth markers referencing your script.
2 to 3.years ago, I bought the Ultimate Creature, three movies with tons of extras. When discussing the test screening of the first one, I was amazed at the number of "Pretty good, but..." cards turned in. And they discussed them! 1. Julie Adams's screaming is so prevalent that you want to strangle her. It's grating. 2. And so is the 3-note theme for the appearance of the Gill-man. Every appearance. Every ... Single... Appearance.... and 3. Plot too much like The Thing. Which is amazingly on the money. I'd never thought of it until I remembered that The Thing created the template for . movies like this to follow. And that's only one of many ways that Hawk's The Thing is a masterpiece of horror/sci-fi. # of times Nikki screams in The Thing =0. 4. Looking back, I can see why this caught me off guard. It's like the beach scene in From Here to Eternity, where the waves are the perfect . metaphor for the female orgasm. At first you laugh and think "That old chestnut. I can't believe a movie as hip as FHTE would use that gag." Then you remember. Wait, this has never been shown before. THIS is where it started. I guess it's been parodied too many times to be effective. One question: as a reviewer and not a reactor, do you get lists of "recommended" movies to analyze? If KZhead does provide such a list, do you get paid the same if you stray from that list? And are any directors banned from you reviewing them? I mention this because it seems that Woody Allen and Spike Lee are banned from reactors. Along with nearly every important movie made between 1966 and 1976. Where's Annie Hall? Do the Right Thing?.All the President's Men? Hell, where's Gentlemen's Agreement for that matter?
Taking a minute....just to say,............that I LOOVVVEEEEE your reviews !!!
Another great review, and you managed to unearth a number of production details this old SF and SFX devotee had not known. Thanks again. 😊
I just want to say can you do the great job and I’m a big fan of the cinema and I am an adult with down syndrome that loves movies and cares for them and I do own the universal Monster franchise I got it for Christmas I think two years ago
"Professional Mermaid". Now that's a job title with a nice ring to it.
"Not since the beginning of time has man know such terror!" -now i wanna play the pinball machine on "Pinball Arcade"
"MOVE! YOUR! CAR!" (The pinball is very meta: it's really themed after the experience of watching "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" in a 50's drive-in, with the movie itself serving as the multiball mode. And the Creature also appears in "Monster Bash" which is themed after all the Universal Monsters.)
@@MattMcIrvin "FOCUS!"
Saw this for the first time about 5 years ago when my wife bought me this and the Abominable snow man for my birthday .... on DVD I hasten to add haha. Great movie.
If I haven't mentioned it yet, I've really been enjoying this channel of yours!
Very nice, thorough review. Thank you. Love the bandage shot, I’d never seen it before. BTW, it’s pronounced “Wah-chew-la” springs, not, “wah-koo-la.”
This film is a great source of pride for us here because it takes place in my country 🇧🇷
Regards ,I' m OSVALDO ossie CESAR ARDILES , a fan of movies CLASSIC B of 50, 60,70 80 ' ages and a fan of GILLMAN . ( of corse ) or THE CREATURE OF BLACK LAGOON , very interesting your video .. success for the channel great job ,the make up of the monster Is for standing ,and JULIE ADDAMS Is súper beaitiful 🤔 Osvaldo ossie ARDILES from ARGENTINE 🇦🇷
It's a great review of a great movie. It's another one of my favorites.
Great review, your "old timey" voice is brilliant!
You're my fave. Your sense of respect is palpable and appreciated!
Every amphibian man in film probably owes a debt to this one; the number of "creature from the swamp" films is probably uncountable. It's an interesting transition from the classic horror films over to atomic monster films, really fitting in nicely in both categories.
evenas a kid and not getting the big picture,,,I always felt so sorry for the gill man
That bit about not having any breathing apparatus and having to swim basically blind is amazing. Would never fly today with actual actor saving measures being in place 😂
That is true. I simply can't imagine it!
New sub here. I adore ur channel!! I’m binging having just discovered you!!! You and I have the same taste in movies and u are a self described movie feel and I’m a big chested former model who did quite well in LA for 10 years. I’m happy to call myself a sci fi horror nerd!!
Yay! Thank you!
Keep up the good work bro!
Fantastic Review Enjoyed very Much.
Great review!
I do think Creature from the Black Lagoon is a decent 3D movie of the 50s. By the way, happy early Memorial Day, Unapologetic Geek!
One of the Universal classic icons The “Gill Man”…a terrific movie & phenomenal creature costume. The sequels though not as good are still watchable.
I remember when 'Shape of Water' 1st came out, there was much talk about it having ripped-off 'Let Me Hear You Whisper'... I agree with you that it was more of a Remake/Sequel to CftBL! (No surprise... as Del Toro is a hopeless romantic!)
am i the only one who couldn’t tell the creature and swamp thing apart. i know they are not that similar, but they remind me of each other (kind of).
I love the creature from the Black Lagoon. That was a great video! Except for the shilling in the middle of it; that was painful.
KZheadrs gotta KZhead. 🤷🏼♂️
The Creature was always my favorite of the Universal Monsters. And a part of him appears in 2017's The Cruise, oops, I mean, The Mummy. Namely, a clawed hand and arm, reminiscent of the fossilized one in the original, appears in a liquid filled jar.
This was amazing, thank you!
The creature just craved a little affection 😢😢😢😢😢
I've never seen it, so I really appreciated your overview. Are the sequels of any quality?
The sequels are pretty bad. Mystery science theater even roasted "Revenge of the creature" in one of their episodes.
I don't mind them, but they're certainly lesser. The second sequel is notable just for taking the story in such an unexpectedly bizarre direction.
The first one was the best. The next two are partial retreads on the theme. As UG says, the third one has a twist, but covers the same ideas. I haven't seen the sequels in decades and don't miss them.
Revenge of the Creature has an uncredited lab technician that made a bit of a name for himself in later years...
The ancestor to the Sleestack!
Of all the Universal Monsters having remakes or reboots, I'm surprised Gill Man didn't get any of those unless you count Shape of Water or Abe Sapien from Hellboy.
The Shape of water was so highly regarded by critics and I found it unwatchable. I didn't even get through it
I've mentioned them before, there's a Seattle based group called Jet City Improv that does Twisted Flicks where they take an older movie and re-dub it live based on audience suggestions. Their 20th Anniversary show was a screening of Creature from the Black Lagoon, with the titular Creature turned into a CrossFit Bro (and Richard Denning an anti-authoritarian at my suggestion) who was vehemently opposed to the consumption of "Caaaarrrrbbbssss...." If you see a show, it will stay with you. I've got bread rising, literally right this minute, and I'm looking forward to having some fresh-bakef Caaaarrrrbbbssss...!
ocean man, take me by the hand, lead me to the land that you understand...,
While the other universal monsters were once human like Frankenstein, the Mummy, Dracula, and the Wolfman, the Creature is not and I think it makes him, by far, the most interesting Character portrayal.
Excellent point!
Good movie.
Curious fan here, Did you see the recent Star Trek Motion Picture Director’s Edition in theaters? I did twice, I thought it was a phenomenal experience. If you saw it, what are your thoughts on it? Does it improve the original and highly over-hated classic? Or is it more or less the same movie with improved pacing? I don’t know, all the reviews I read conflict with my feelings about it. It feels like people went into it wanting to hate it. I thought it fleshed out the characters, motivations, and overall theme very well without absolutely changing the tone and vibe of the original.
I didn’t get a chance, unfortunately. 😢
@@TheUnapologeticGeek what a shame! It was a great experience, hopefully someday it’s put out in theaters again by some massive leap of luck
Technically, Dracula Untold was the first movie in the Dark Universe reboot, not The Mummy. Universal did last minute reshoots on it so they could tie it in to the later films. You seem to be hitting on all of my favorite trivia tidbits lately. I always get folks on Ricou Browning. Well, that and Lock Martin. Ricou later directed TV episodes (including Flipper, naturally) and was second unit director for Caddyshack. Talk about your water hazards...
Guillermo del Toro said once that he wanted the creature to get the girl when he first saw it as a kid. You know if the Gillman had been taught how to properly date humans, perhaps he would have had a better chance at getting a girlfriend.
Remembering those Scarlett Johansson remake rumors & realizing that means she might've worn the swimsuit... 🤤
That is a good thought...
@@TheUnapologeticGeek I did like those drafts where The Creature is a mutant spawned from illegal chemical dumping. He's an accident, an aberration that was never meant to be. Adds a bit more tragedy to him.
With any remake or sequel, I ask "what are you bringing to this version that wasn't in the original?" If there is no fresh views, make something else. There are a lot possible stories out there available to be made into new and interesting movies and TV series.
1960s were different time. People got scared at simple things
But, for the future a request: PLEASE don't make the mistake of repeating the claim that Jack Arnold somehow had directed or re-directed THIS ISLAND EARTH! Not true, but this keeps getting repeated. His only connection---and it isn't fully substantiated---with the film is that he MAY have made a couple or color timing recommendations in post when Newman was not there...and that is giving him large benefit of the doubt: I've talked to all of these people who worked on the film (three of the key actors, the producer, director, editor, writer, effects people who all shrugged and said, essentially, that this was news to them!. I even interviewed Arnold himself, who was forced to confess that he couldn't really remember what or IF he had any connection to the film at all.
I got very upset when I was a kid because the gillman was just an animal and they destroyed it's environment
Leave the Gilman alone damn it! He’s just wants to be left alone! You guys are the a$$holes invading his turf.
For me .GILLMAN IS THE BEST MONSTER ,hmmmm and THE MONSTER OF VENUS ..of HARRYHAUSEN , but GILLMAN PICK UP THE TEN POINTS 🤔