Tonight on MeTV- we once again go steaming down the Amazon- to bring back Universal Studios’ greatest monster of the 1950s- in a classic that viewers ask for again and again- which we can either attribute to the lovely Julie Adams in her white swimsuit or to- the “Creature from the Black Lagoon”!
Our first stop is along the banks of the Amazon River, where we find one Dr. Maia conducting a geological expedition- where he is astounded to find an unusual fossil- a large webbed claw. Never having seen anything like it, he thinks it may be a missing link in the evolutionary development from when sea creatures became land dwellers! Leaving his two native assistants to maintain his camp, he travels to Brazil to consult with a former student Dr. Reed, a California ichthyologist who happens to be doing research there.
Reed can't identify the fossil either- and suggests they return to the Amazon, in hopes of finding more of the fossil. His boss, Dr. Williams, a bullheaded type who, under most circumstances, is a major roadblock to taking chances, amazingly agrees that such an expedition would be worth the effort and expense (but not so much thinking what it could mean to science- more about the money further discovery of additional skeletal proof might bring). His approval hinges on him joining the expedition, with Maia, Reed, and Reed’s beautiful girlfriend and assistant Kay. His inclusion really can’t be refused, and they are on their way to the Amazon.
They head down the renowned river aboard the Rita, a ramshackle steamer, under the command of the somewhat unsophisticated but canny Captain Lucas, who is well versed in the local waterways and lore. They arrive at Maia’s campsite, only to find the place torn apart, and his men dead! The idea that this was a jaguar attack is suggested- but it doesn’t seem like anybody is really believing that was the case.
They continue on, in search of the fossil proof they seek, but as time passes - they haven't found any further parts of the fossil, nor even a hint of anything. A new idea suddenly occurs-that any additional fossil remains could have been swept down river with the passage of time! The theory has some validity, and reluctantly, Captain Lucas agrees to guide them down a remote tributary that flows into an ominous area known as the “Black Lagoon”-a beautiful place with a legendary reputation; anyone who has dared to go there- has never returned! That certainly accounts for his reluctance!
They eventually enter the lagoon, totally unaware that the creature whose fossilized remains they hope to find – the Gill Man-is actually alive and well- and stalking them! After they put down anchor, the men go diving in search of fossils- while Kay, wearing the most famous one-piece white bathing suit in filmdom, takes an invigorating and joyful dip ( at times, represented by her stunt double)- unaware that the Gill Man is right below her, following her closely and even reaching out to touch her!
Once everyone is back aboard the boat, something gets caught in the ship's net- tearing it apart, and leaving behind an ominous claw stuck in the netting! The expedition party is shocked to realize that the fabled Gill Man still exists, and most likely was responsible for the attack on Maia’s campsite. Now, they find it’s aiming for them- with the home field advantage!
There are more savage attacks, and they decide it would be prudent to leave the lagoon immediately- but Williams, unwilling to give up his dreams of a big money windfall, demands that they stay- to attempt to capture the Creature, regardless of the dangers! It becomes a battle between them and the creature evolution could not change- will they be victorious, or just end up among those who have never returned from the Black Lagoon?!
This 1954 film truly established the Gill Man as the last of the great Universal monsters. We’ll tell you about the Creature’s background and creation, introduce the movie’s cast, provide a Sven song, a commercial for an alluring scent sent directly from the Amazon, and more. Again, this is one of the films we get plenty of requests for, and, surprisingly, we have not aired it again in over a year- so many of our new fans will be getting their first look at this Sven show!
"Creature from the Black Lagoon" surfaces tonight on MeTV at 8pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or check for time and channel in your local listings and/ or www.metv.com . We appreciate that our viewers again have put us among the top trending topics on Twitter by live-Tweeting during the program, and you are invited to join in- just make sure your Tweet includes the hashtag #svengoolie ! Our Chicago area viewers get an encore look at the creepy Peter Lorre chiller “Beast with Five Fingers” at 11 am on our main local station, CW26- and, earlier, you can tune in to the classic Saturday Morning Cartoons on MeTV!
We’re happy that so many of our viewers have also tuned in for “Toon in with Me” on weekday mornings! We’re trying to keep Kerwyn and Toony the Tuna at a distance, but those two seem to mix like oil and water- which certainly doesn’t work well in Toony’s tank…
Tune in tonight for the Gill Man, who would fit right into Toony’s tank ( well-not literally) !
1714 Comments
Don't let the ear fool you, Greebo he ain't!
Just a few more tidbits about Lon Chaney, Jr.
There was at least one Hollywood bigwig that thought Mr. Chaney had some talent-Stanley Kramer. According to the Wikipedia article on Mr. Chaney, Kramer said he always called upon Chaney when he had a part that he said would be "difficult" for other actors.
I guess some would possibly try to parse that into meaning parts that other actors didn't want, but the facts, IMO, don't back that up. Lon Chaney had parts in two of Kramer's best known movies-High Noon, and The Defiant Ones. Mr. Chaney played Gary Cooper's predecessor as sheriff in High Noon, and a former chain gang member who helps Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis in their quest for freedom in The Defiant Ones.
As far as I can tell, Mr. Chaney didn't do too many stage plays. One he did do-the stage version of "Of Mice and Men," resulted in him getting the part he played on stage in the film, which has always been considered a good part and helped his career, at the time.
Another play he did was a local production of the Broadway hit, Born Yesterday. He played the part that actor Paul Douglas played on Broadway. Douglas passed on playing the role in the movie because he felt his part was being reduced to allow more emphasis on the leading lady, Judy Holliday-who was the lead on Broadway-and current matinee idol William Holden's part. Interestingly, the movie role went to Mr. Chaney's buddy, Broderick Crawford.
Today would have been the 60th birthday of Austin singer-songwriter/artist, Daniel Johnston. I can’t say for certain that these were inspired by last week’s movie, but Johnston’s art did assimilate much of pop culture...
The Creature/3rd ChairLove is priceless
And I'm still paying the bill
I get to loving you so much
It just ain't right sometimes
The creature's panting through his gill
Can't you see the pleading in his eyes?
It says "If you want me to, I will"
Just don't ask him why
She was my girl
But now she's gone
*_*
Hall of famer Hank Aaron has died at 86. He broke Babe Ruth’s home run record (it would be about 20 years before Aaron’s record was surpassed). He still holds several major league records today. He set those records without doing it in a bragging or boastful way.
He used his baseball fame to champion the cause of civil rights. Unlike too many of today’s athletes, his off field life did not detract from his considerable accomplishments on the field.
A living legend lives no more.
A childhood hero. RIP Hammerin' Hank
