HAPPY 70TH, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON

On February 12, 1954, one of the all-time greats graced the silver screen and in trendy 3D, no less: Creature from the Black Lagoon.

This monumental, monster classic was directed by Jack Arnold, who helmed It Came From Outer Space and would go on to magnify The Incredible Shrinking Man, with a crackerjack script by Harry Essex and Arthur A. Ross. Ben Chapman and Ricou Browning play the emoting Gill-man, the former on land, the latter in water. And the Gill-man sports iconic detail, thanks to his designer, Millicent Patrick and costume-makers, Chris Muller and Jack Kevan; and as for that in-depth photography which coddled his hijinks, beyond exquisite: in fact, some of the best 3D ever to kiss celluloid. 

In addition to Browning and Chapman, Creature's cast presents an indelible ensemble: Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Whit Bissell, Nester Pavia, Antonio Moreno, leggy Julia Adams and her equally leggy understudy, Ginger Stanley. The characters prove edgy and nuanced, and the Gill-man wouldn't be as frightful or forlorn if not for their presence. 

What more can I say that hasn't already been said about this box-office sensation? Creature from the Black Lagoon was and remains a Universal Studios' dream come true, a bridge between the old, monster regime and what then became the long-running new. It's a cherished production that's held up well, and if you've any doubt, give it a whirl, or a re-whirl, as it were. There's no way to come away unsatisfied, even seventy years after the trailblazing fact.

THE PHANTOM & CREATURE MEET

They're back! Two of Universal Studios' classic terror flicks return to the big screen this Halloween via Fathom Events: Arthur Lupin's The Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Jack Arnold's The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).  

This combination is a tad unique, in that the movies sport juxtaposing styles, but at the same time, their double-feature aura ideally demonstrates Universal's macabre variety.

The Phantom stars Claude (The Invisible Man) Rains in the lead as Erique Claudin, accompanied by Nelson Eddie, Susana Foster, Edgar Barrier and Fritz Lieber, among other superb cast members. 

Operatic Technicolor is the order of the day for this remake, which set the pace for other Phantom productions, in particular the 1962, Terence Fisher/Hammer adaptation, as well as Andrew Lloyd Weber's sumptuous stage production. 

Phantom 1943 shouldn't be compared to the 1925, Lon Chaney/Rupert Julian classic, and that's okay. This one more than holds its own with ample, tragic panache.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon, in contrast, is a black-and-white triumph (originally shown in 3-D), flaunting wondrous, underwater sequences and a cast that's every bit as impressive as Phantom's. 

As such, we're given Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Julia Adams, Ginger Stanley (as Ms. Adams' athletic double), Whit Bissell, Antonio Morena, and as the Gill-man, the towering Ben Chapman (on land) and superstar-swimmer Ricou Browning (submerged). 

Millicent Patrick's Gill-man design is an absolute gem to behold and acts as a regal reply to Jack Pierce's long-line of Universal monster makeups; and keep in mind, the big screen can only bring out the Creature's features with superior depth and breadth.

Though The Mummy/Bride of Frankenstein, Fathom double bill from earlier this month caused some controversy by injecting added sound effects and musical inserts to the movies, one can only wonder what "enhancements" might await The Phantom/Creature set, but just having these two biggies beamed again inside an official playhouse should be a tremendous treat. 

The Phantom/Creature revival will hit Fathom Events October 29th. Check local listings for time and place. 

GOODBYE, JULIE ADAMS...

Whether by your long-term, first name, Julie, or the short-term Julia and Betty, you were prolific on levels that most performers could only dream, starring in every genre imaginable, whether on the big or small screen. 

Some of your most memorable roles were in "Bend of the River"; "The Dalton Gang"; "The Man from the Alamo"; "The Gunfight at Dodge City"; "The Private War of Major Benson"; "Slaughter on 10th Avenue"; "Psychic Killer"; "The Killer Inside Me"; "Tickle Me"; "Underwater City"; "The Texan"; "The Big Valley"; "The Rifleman"; "Bonanza"; "Twelve O'Clock High"; "One Step Beyond"; "Climax!"; "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E."; "The Incredible Hulk"; "Search"; "Lost"; "Ironside"; "Capitol"; and "Murder, She Wrote".

However, your stand-out role was as Kay Lawrence in Jack Arnold's 3D classic, "Creature from the Black Lagoon", where  you not only enchanted the Gill-man, but many a bug-eyed boy. 

Thanks for all the sweet memories, Ms. Adams. Your adoring fans will miss you more than mere words can ever convey.