Creature from the Black Lagoon
1954 · Directed by Jack Arnold
A research expedition finds a scaled humanoid in the Amazon. He falls for the lead scientist. The platonic Universal Monster film.
Why It's Cult
Creature from the Black Lagoon is the last and most visually perfect of the Universal Monsters cycle. The underwater swim-ballet between the Creature and Kay is one of the most beautiful sequences in 50s cinema. The suit still reads as a character. Del Toro has cited it as the origin of his entire career; The Shape of Water is a love letter to it.
The Plot, Officially
A scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discovers a prehistoric Gill-Man in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Gill-Man returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, fiancée of one in the expedition, with whom he has fallen in love.
Starring
Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning
Where to Watch
via JustWatch →
