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Creature from the Black Lagoon
The complete history of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, with many, many pictures, behind the scenes information from Tom Weaver, and the complete shooting script of the movie. From MagicImage Filmbooks, now a BearManor Media company.
196 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2021
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November 24, 2025
While I think that the Creature from the Black Lagoon is the "coolest" monster from the sci-fi 1950's, I've also been long underwhelmed by the movie. Due to this book describing the structure of the story development process, now I know why the film lacks strong appeal for me. The movie presents a "romantic triangle" which is naturally interesting, and then tries to overlay a "Beauty and the Beast" concept on top of it. In this way, they've created a clumsy "romantic rectangle." (Oddly enough, that is not the concept that was set up in an earlier screenplay draft which is contained in this book, but that has significant problems of its own.)
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON contains surprisingly sparse on-set stories, and fairly limited biographies of those working behind the camera. (Cast biographies were also briefer than I would have expected.)
On the plus side, the description of how the idea for the story came about was especially intriguing, and was certainly the best part of the book. I just wish that some of the allusions to possible conflicts behind the scenes would have been explored more deeply (as was done for the "make-up credit" flare-up).
For those who have not seen the movie (or saw it many years ago), the book does provide a good overview. Otherwise, it did not increase my appreciation for the film.
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON contains surprisingly sparse on-set stories, and fairly limited biographies of those working behind the camera. (Cast biographies were also briefer than I would have expected.)
On the plus side, the description of how the idea for the story came about was especially intriguing, and was certainly the best part of the book. I just wish that some of the allusions to possible conflicts behind the scenes would have been explored more deeply (as was done for the "make-up credit" flare-up).
For those who have not seen the movie (or saw it many years ago), the book does provide a good overview. Otherwise, it did not increase my appreciation for the film.
Displaying 1 of 1 review