Last night, I caught the Jack Arnold 3D double feature at the Grand Illusion. Half of it was great.
I watched The Creature from the Black Lagoon when I was a kid, but I’d mostly forgotten it between then and now. What I didn’t realize then was that it’s actually a pretty great movie, as far as creature features go. And who’d have thought that the same elements of great 3D film-making also make for great cinematography? Or that underwater cinematography is the perfect venue for 3D technology? All of the underwater shots were remarkably, surprisingly vivid, and the fact that some actor in a full-body latex monster suit was doing all this non-CGI underwater work was impressive, too. There was real suspense, and only a couple of lines, about natives and protecting the girl, seemed horribly dated.
The second feature, It Came From Outer Space, is unfortunately a very generic 50’s sci-fi flick. I was still impressed with Arnold’s cinematography and storytelling skills. But the fusty Ray Bradbury story it’s based on has not aged well in the tide of “monsters from the stars” movies in the time since.
I’m going out on a limb and suggesting that there are few experiences more enjoyable in Seattle this week than spending a cold, rainy night in a movie theater wearing a pair of cardboard glasses, holding a hot cup of tea, watching a movie about a gill man who, in the end, is maybe just misunderstood. Creature From the Black Lagoon plays at 7 pm until Thursday at the Grand Illusion. You should see it, and leave before It Came From Outer Space.
Creature from the Black Lagoon was also filmed at Aquarena Springs in Texas. I only know this because it was pointed out by the guide on the glass-bottom boat who then urged us to go see the main attraction, Ralph the Swimming Pig. No lie.
tea is for pussies
Wow. It Came from Outer Space is the best script to come out of the 50’s scifi movies! And if you want to talk about misunderstood creatures…so many of those films end with the good old military rushing in to rescue everybody, a la Them!, and here we get to see friendliness and compassion for ugly things win out over reactionary deputies. Plus, did you see those 3-d rocks flying?!
Stop dissin’ on It Came From Outer Space, you fool!
i agree paul. saw it a few days ago and had a great time. the dialog was amazing.
only a couple of lines, about natives and protecting the girl, seemed horribly dated
The Creature from the Black Lagoon is fraught with anxiety about desegregation. Which is pretty dated.
for those shows, I’d be drinking shroom tea.
Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill briefly speculate in ‘League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’ Volume 2 (appendix) that the reason the Creature from the Black Lagoon is angry (misunderstood?) is because an earlier expedition to the same area killed his mate.
I suggest everyone go out and buy a copy.
Right now.
Use your local comic shop and help the local economy.
I agree with #3 It Came From Outer Space is a better movie. I believe it was scripted by Ray Bradbury. Both movies are worth the price of admission.
The Economist publishes truly awesome, heartfelt obituaries. They recently ran one for Ben Chapman, the Tahitian dancer who was the guy in the monster suit. It’s well worth reading:
http://www.economist.com/obituary/displa…