Creature From The Black Lagoon

Take A Peek

In the heart of the Amazonian rain forest, Dr. Carl Maia (Antonio Moreno) unearths a most extraordinary fossil. It has five fingers arranged much like a human hand, but it displays webbing and claws that suggest a marine predator. Dr. Maia assembles a team of scientists to journey to the legendary, Black Lagoon in search of more fossils. Amongst the team are Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson), Kay Lawrence (Julie Adams), Dr. Mark Williams (Richard Denning), and Dr. Edwin Thompson (Whit Bissel).

Lucas (Nestor Paiva), the captain of their chartered riverboat, weaves a story of the aquatic monster that stalks the Black Lagoon. When Dr. Maia and the others return to the camp, he discovers that a savage beast has slaughtered his assistants.

The team realizes that the legend of the half-man half-fish monster is true. The beast stalks the crew, silently coming aboard the boat to attack. The ambitious and ruthless Dr. Williams wants to stay in the Black Lagoon to capture the monster.

 There is much tension between the two young scientists over the love of Kay. The Creature also finds Kay quite stunning, and turns his attention to her. The beast is apprehended through the use of Rotenone (a poison used to catch fish) and is imprisoned in a cage on the boat.

The makeshift cage doesn’t hold the Gillman for long. He escapes and seriously injures Dr. Thompson. Everyone had decided to leave the camp, but not before the creature kidnaps Kay.

Did I Love It?

Creature from the Black Lagoon is a true masterpiece of monstrous proportions. The creature endures then humanity inside him. He is cunning, lustful and lonely.

When the Creature silently stalks Kay as she swims, it is a scene of cinematic beauty. The scenes between Carlson and Denning bring even more tension to a film that is oozing fear. Julie Adams was one of the most sought after “damsels in distress” of the genre.

This is my all-time favorite creature feature movie. I remember watching this as a child and feeling empathy for the Gillman as he lurked in the black waters all alone. Now I pass the torch on to my 11 year old daughter, who can’t seem to get enough of this movie.

Gracefully Yours,
Elle