The creature from the black lagoon movie#
The creature from the black lagoon full#

This included entirely different masks, which were created from molds of the actor’s heads. Because Ricou Browning was much smaller than the 6’5″ Ben Chapman, two entirely different suits needed to be constructed. Instead, Ricou Browning played the Creature for the underwater scenes, and Ben Chapman played him on land. The first person approached to play the Gill-Man was Glenn Strange ( Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein). Patrick never again worked in motion picture production and would be denied the credit she deserved for decades.

The creature from the black lagoon full#

When the press tour was over she was fired from Universal by Westmore, who received full credit for the Creature’s design. He complained, and the name of the tour was changed to “The Beauty Who Lives With the Beast.” This was done to avoid giving her credit for the character’s design.

The creature from the black lagoon movie#

To coincide with the film’s release, Patrick was used to promote the movie and its Creature with a press tour entitled “The Beauty Who Created the Beast.” However, that changed when Bud Westmore, head of Universal’s makeup department got jealous of the attention she was getting. Millicent Patrick works on the Gill-Man suit for a posed studio publicity shot.įormer Disney animator, Milicent Patrick ( Fantasia) was primarily responsible for the final design of the Gill-Man monster. It also, surprisingly, tended to resemble the Oscar statue given out at the Academy Awards. The initial design work for the creature came off as feminine. Creature Designĭirector Jack Arnold ( It Came From Outerspace) wanted the creature to resemble an eel-like monster. Their goal was to transform it into a working script. Rose ( Brubaker) and Harry Essex ( Dragnet). The treatment Zimm wrote was 59 pages long and was then turned over to screenwriters Arthur A. Shortly after this, in December 1952, Alland hired screenwriter Maurice Zimm ( Perry Mason) to produce a story treatment for the project. He jotted down some notes for a story called “The Sea Monster”. In 1952, inspiration hit Alland in the form of the classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. Julia Adams and Ben Chapman as the Gill-Man on the set of “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954). However, he wouldn’t do anything with the idea for over a decade. Alland thought this sounded like a great idea for a movie. At this party, Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa was also in attendance.įigueroa entertained the other party guests with a story about Cipactli, a half-man/half-fish creature from Aztec legend. Alland had played the reporter in Citizen Kane (1941). In 1941, William Alland attended a dinner party at the legendary director’s home. Julia Adams in a publicity shot for “The Creature From the Black Lagoon” (1954). This article will discuss the origins of this cinematic creature, and the making of the first movie to feature him. If you have any questions about your visit and the services we offer, contact our Call Center at 213.763.3466 or We ask that any requests for special accommodations be made at least 48 hours in advance.The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) introduced the last of the iconic Universal Monsters, the Gill-Man. We aim to make NHM an exciting, educational, and enjoyable experience for everyone.Seating will open at 7 pm and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The film screening will take place in one of the Museum's historic mammal halls.Pre-film conversation is geared towards an adult audience.This film is not rated and is 79 minutes.

SCHEDULEĥ:30 pm: Doors open, guest exploration of Natural History of Horror exhibition.Ħ pm: Performances by Captured Aural Phantasy Theater, ongoing art workshop with Self Help Graphics & Art Barrio Mobile Art Studio and book signing with Mallory O'Meara author of The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick (this book will be available for purchase at the Museum Store ).ħ pm: Pre-film conversation with Mallory O'Meara, author of The Lady from the Black Lagoon and artist and filmmaker Micheline Pitt moderated by Claire Dunlap, producer of Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention, followed by the film screening. The evening includes access to the exhibition, rare museum collection displays, special effects makeup artist demonstrations, hands-on workshop, a special performance, pre-film conversation and film screening.ĭrinks will be available for purchase and complimentary light snacks will be available while supplies last. In celebration of the exhibition, Natural History of Horror, join us this evening as we explore the classic horror film, Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and dissect how scientific discoveries have stirred fear and inspired creativity in people past and present.

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