Creature From the Black Lagoon Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Creature From the Black Lagoon
Year: 1954
Director: Jack Arnold
Country: US
Language: English 

In the 1930's Universal Studios was primarily in production of "B" monster movies like Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula and Island of Lost Souls. This helped them survive the early phase of the Golden Hollywood Era and eventually assisted them into becoming a major studio. The monster's introduced in this period are the most renowned in film history, but it is important to remember that Universal made classic monster movies well into the 50's. One prominent example of this is Creature From the Black Lagoon.

In the film, a scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discover a prehistoric Gill-Creature in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Creature returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, fiancée of one of the expedition, with whom it has fallen in love.

The "creature falling in love with human" storyline has been done before, King Kong being the picture that started it all. However, Creature From the Black Lagoon is slightly different; it's about the controversies regarding gay marriage. Even in our modern 21st Century world, homosexual relations are a pretty taboo subject and is unacceptable in most places. The creature, whose gender was made purposely anonymous in order to bypass the censors, loves what she can't have; a same sex relationship. Though the other white characters see her as a monster, the audience knows differently and we choose to sympathize with her. The entire film is a struggle to keep up the heterosexual norm in society.

There is also an environmental theme in this film; A clash of science and morality. The two scientists who have captured The Creature are at great odds with each other. One of them is trying to preserve Gill-Man while researching him. The other wants to take Gill-Man to the lab at any cost - even the death of the new species. This side-plot creates suspense and intrigue, even if the score is far too melodramatic and the dialogue is too banal.

In conclusion, Creature From the Black Lagoon is a remarkable "B" movie that is still fun to watch today because of the many interpretations that could stem from the plot. The acting is sub-par, but the sets are remarkable. The film oozes raw sexuality, Julie Adams looks fantastic in a swimsuit. 4/5