CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON Retrospective: The Last Great Universal Monster

A look back at Universal's "Creature From The Black Lagoon" franchise, including an analysis of Jack Arnold's original classic film, the increasingly strange sequels of "Revenge of the Creature" and "The Creature Walks Among Us," the history of the Creature's design by Millicent Patrick, and the history of the many failed attempts to remake Creature.
PATREON - / mattdraper
#universalmonsters
#horror
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[@MattDraper]

Who's your favorite Universal Monster?

[@boweryboy]

The Creature (from the Black Lagoon)

[@carsonsmith7314]

The creature from the black lagoon, Frankenstein’s monster, and the wolf man.

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

The Wolfman

[@ginofrancejr555]

Dracula because of the romantic seduction. Frankensteins monster for his humanity AND the mummy for the tragedy

[@briarpatchlogic]

Bride of Frankenstein

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

Creature from the black lagoon is an underrated masterpiece. It mixes the suspense of Dracula with the tragedy of Frankenstein. When you think about it, Black Lagoon and Godzilla popularized the fish monster concept

[@hanolodo]

Makes sense since Creature of the Black Lagoon and Godzilla both came out in 1954 and both deal with the clash between science/humanity and nature

[@frankgesuele6298]

It's an aquatic Beauty & the Beast.

[@nickmitsialis]

@@frankgesuele6298 that that brass orchestral cue for the creature just 'slaps'....pah pah pah...PAH PAH PAH!!

[@speedracer1945]

Imagine sitting with your gal in the 40s watching tge first time.

[@filthydisgustingape5354]

@@speedracer1945 Julie Adams was pretty spiffy, especially for a 1950s chick

[@GoldenProxyy]

I love the Gillman. He’s my favourite Universal monster (my favourite Universal film is the Invisible Man). It’s a shame John Carpenter never made the reboot he was planning in the 90s.

[@robertwild9447]

I'm still heartbroken that remake never happened.

[@KaijuSlayer54]

I wish he got the chance, my favorite Universal Monster and one of the best Creature Feature directors to ever put film to screen? Broooooo

[@speedracer1945]

When they turned the Creature onto a man was downright stupid.

[@zandorvorkov986]

This was the first time that I'd seen the Rick Baker creature model for that ill fated movie, and it was beautiful!

[@jikorijo4516]

This is good timing since, sadly, Ricou Browning, the swimmer who played Gill-Man while underwater, passed away this year at the age of 93. As an aside, I highly recommend Incredible Shrinking Man by Creature’s Director, Jack Arnold. It’s based off a Richard Matheson novel, it’s suspenseful, and has a hefty dose of existentialism. Plus, it’s apart of the Criterion Collection!

[@vaporwaverabbit3389]

WHAT OG FISHMAN PASSED AWAY?

[@tokumillennium5162]

R.I.P Ocean Man

[@jessfrankel5212]

That's a shame. He gave the Gill-Man a special grace when he swam. I can see where The Shape of Water got its inspiration from. RIP, Ocean Master.

[@vaporwaverabbit3389]

Take a double shot every time the claw is about to make a grab but misses the chance and slinks away.

[@zacharylund6926]

I love the underwater sequences in this film. The body language is great in it. The movie is basically a home invasion film

[@walterfechter8080]

In the film, "The Seven Year Itch," Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell are seen leaving a movie theater after viewing "The Creature from the Black Lagoon." Monroe's character empathized with The Creature.

[@briarpatchlogic]

The Creature does fit in well with the Lovecraft mythos...I'm surprised more creators have not tried to capitalize on this. Even Alan Moore did it in the later LOEG stuff.

[@stephenvelez9710]

Thank you for making clear Millicent Patrick designed the Creature…I knew you would❤. I adore these movies and think the third is an underrated exercise in tragedy, and a workable metaphor for racism and xenophobia, as well as forced assimilation. Great video. RIP Ricou Browning💔

[@flamethrowerflufsalisbury]

I was lucky enough to meet Browning twice in the past few years in Orlando before his passing. Very nice guy. My 20 yr old son has always been a huge fan of his because it was one of the first horror series that we watched together when he was a child.

[@jasonmaclean719]

No mention of the MST3K episode of 'Revenge of The Creature'? That was one of my all time favorites, and introduction to the Gillman. It will always hold a special place in my heart

[@peterolbrisch8970]

That fossilized hand at the beginning is so cool. I always wanted one.

[@michaelchoman1625]

The oceanarium in Revenge of the Creature was actually Marineland (and this was back when Marineland was brand new). In fact, all three films were made in Florida.

[@nicolechampeau8432]

Jack Arnold helped create Flipper, so it's very cool that Rico Browning guest starred.

[@nashhartley3675]

Ever since I was little, Gillman has been my favorite! He’s so cool

[@speedracer1945]

The 1st was the best in the series. 😊

[@anthonyhudak9363]

This is my favorite Universal monster and it can be seen as a catalyst for future man against beast stories. Think about it, would we potentially have Alien, Jaws, or Predator if it wasn't for The Creature From The Black Lagoon?

[@MattDraper]

That's a great point! I think the influence is really felt everywhere.

[@anthonyhudak9363]

It really is. I highly recommend the 40 min documentary about the Creature. It's free in KZbin. Also as a side note, you talking about Del Toro really makes me want you to discuss Pacific Rim (the first one mainly, but the show was actually decent)

[@chuckleezodiac24]

right on, bro. man versus beast stories have definitely not been around since forever. Gilgamesh, Heracles, Theseus, Perseus and St. George never fought any beasts. and Alien wasn't based on The Thing from Another World, Jaws wasn't based on a novel, and Predator wasn't based on The Most Dangerous Game...

[@anthonyhudak9363]

I meant more modern man against beast stories that delved more into sci fi than just straight up mythology

[@chuckleezodiac24]

@@anthonyhudak9363 besides King Kong in 1933, there were lots of monster movies in the 40s and early 50s -- The Ape Man, The Flying Serpent, Bride of the Gorilla, Neanderthal Man, Lost Continent, Robot Monster, Untamed Women, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. i love The Creature -- but would we have Godzilla (from the same year 1954) and all the other Atomic Age monster flicks and sci-fi creature features without the Gill-Man? probably...

[@dengdesigns]

The Amazon river scenes were filmed at “Wakulla” Springs state park in North Florida. About 6 miles from my house and a beautiful river and spring.

[@karl_alan]

I find it fascinating that "the skin I live in" is your go-to for body horror

[@ginofrancejr555]

One of my all time favorite horror monster movie. I hope universal brings this back. Especially like with the invisible man reboot and the upcoming reinfeld.

[@barrymurphy1337]

Great video Matt, thanks. Creature from the Black Lagoon is my favourite Universal monster movie and I've been lucky enough to see it in 3D on the big screen twice over the years. Julie Adams was breathtakingly beautiful.

[@robertwild9447]

I finally got to see Creature in 3D at a friend's house, that was pretty cool. I first saw the film on VHS when I was a kid, and Julie Adams was definitely one of my first ever movie crushes 😁

[@aghilton8531]

Awesome retrospective! Creature was one of the first horror films I remember seeing as a kid - begged my mine for m a collector’s dvd set I saw while we were out because he looked so cool on the cover. Made a huge impression on me. The design is so iconic and the first film is just classic. Wish he got as much love as his other Universal comrades. I’ve always felt he was a really underrated monster in comparison

[@christopherwaldrop5293]

The Gill-Man is my favorite movie monster of them all so I really enjoyed this. I also think it's fascinating how the three movies, unintentionally, tell a single story of a romance developing then going sour. In the first Kay is independent and not ready to settle down. In the second Clete and Helen fully embrace each other with the Gill-Man, in a twisted way, their "child". And then in the final film Marcia regrets losing her independence. She could almost be an older Kay, wishing she hadn't married. In spite of the weaknesses of the sequels they do have some depth (yeah, I went there).

[@AG-od3dc]

The creature is such a hauntingly beautiful classic.

[@Merylstreep1949]

Millicent Patrick gets her credit sadly way too late. She was a beautiful woman that created an iconic monster

[@BrokeProductions]

I’m really glad to see you covering this! I actually wrote my senior thesis in College about the Universal monster movies just so I could talk about Creature. I looked at them from the lens of how the movies reflected the relationship between civilization and nature before and during the atomic age

[@carsonsmith7314]

The creature from the black lagoon was my first horror film, and is still one of my favorites.

[@roguebritgravy1]

Always up for more Universal Monster Explorations. Hell any monster explanation from the Silent era to modern day and everything in-between.

[@parkerpshebnisky1051]

The gill-man is one of my fav monsters!

[@andresanlozada2495]

There's something so horribly ironic on how the two first films have a definitive ending and get a follow up. But the one that's open ended and ambiguous is the final film that's been made

[@rig-zag]

Creature was my first 3D movie when I was a kid, as my local arthouse theater showed it periodically in the early 90s. It undoubtedly led to my love of 3D, as I am now a diehard 3D enthusiast. But Creature will always hold a special place in my heart, as not only was it one of my favorite monster movies as a kid, but it is the best 3D movie of the Golden Age of 3D in the 50s.

[@SaberKing]

This was probably my favorite Monster video of yours dude! I love the Creature and that first film really cemented itself as one of my favorite Universal horror monster films right next Frankenstein It’s a shame Creature hasn’t gotten any modern day attention but the OG still lives on Also just wanna say RIP to Ricou Browning Somehow he outlived all of the OG monster Actors but I’m happy he got to live long enough to see the film get even more love and appreciation

[@SnakeCraftIsMagic]

He's at the top of my fav creature list! Been a huge inspiration on my own sculpting and costume making! And Milicent Patrick was an absolute powerhouse!

[@vincentfranklin17]

I first saw this film when I was 16 years old. It was creepy, but compelling!

[@taintedmeat9740]

Creature from the Black Lagoon is my favorite sci-fi flick of all time ! ....I grew up with this guy on Saturday morning creature feature.

[@darryl3422]

The Creature and Julie Adam's fond memories from my childhood Thanks Universal and Matt

[@stingray2001]

In the early 70s, I was fortunate enough to see this film in its original 3D format at a local movie theater. (Separated by two decades of its original theatrical release). I was blown away! It's one of those rare films that still holds up today. If it's ever playing in your neighborhood, on a big screen in 3D, do yourself a favor, make sure you check it out!

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Lori Petty played Julia Adams's younger sister in Bend of the River, a few years before . . . . Julia Adams was a non-smoker. The "throwing her cigarette into the lagoon was an intentional set up for the use of the tranquilizing chemical in the lagoon. Adams was quoted as saying she felt good she was in this film, which she felt was a "best of breed" kind of thing but was glad she had not made a career of Science Fiction thrillers . . . .

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

I wonder if Julie Adams ever saw The Shape of Water and what she thought of it? Adams titled her autobiography, Reflections from the Black Lagoon, and wrote. " No matter what you do, you can act your heart out, but people will always say, 'Oh, Julie Adams--Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)'.".

[@JBBGeek]

Please do the rest of the classic Universal Monsters. Your video essays are amazing, and give much-needed context to great stories, whether they’re comic books or films. At the very least, Dracula (1931), the first three Frankenstein films, The Mummy (1932), Invisible Man, and The Wolfman should be on the list, now that you’ve covered Creature From The Black Lagoon.

[@sbcj9]

This is by far my favorite classic monster movie. I have the 3 movies in one set and I love watching them. They might be cheesy and not scary buy I still get enjoyment out of them. And I watch at least one of them once a year.

[@dfailsthemost]

The creatures hands look so cool.

[@bensneb360]

I have always loved The Creature, something about green scaly monsters has always been cool to me… also I would not be surprised if Jack Arnold was a inspiration for Joe Dante, they both have very similar styles and feels to their movies

[@MattDraper]

I can definitely feel that influence in Matinee, along with William Castle

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the amazing review Matt. Creature from the black lagoon was the first horror movie I ever saw. Much ❤ as always

[@godmaentertainment4375]

The 30s behaves a lot like the 80s, with it's cornucopia of iconic characters.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Very true, though the 70s did create more timeless horror icons with Jaws, Leatherface, and Michael Meyers.

[@PaulaElaineMiles]

Since I haven’t seen anyone mention this, I love that you used Monsters by The Midnight

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Would love to get your take on the Wolfman. That one so my favorite universal horror film.

[@MattDraper]

I'm a huge fan of the original Wolf Man! An incredible design with lots of subtext going on in that story.

[@evenhartwick4422]

The Wolf Man was my favorite universal monster i just wish he got proper stand alone sequels like the other monsters did he was pretty much relegated to crossover films after his first film. i enjoyed those films but i wish we got just a solo wolf man 2

[@loganschimpf]

Can’t tell you how proud my hometown is STILL to have been the shooting location for this film

[@thehorrorcatdad]

Great, great retrospective video! Absolutely love Creature from the Black Lagoon, and is my favorite Universal Monster! First film is a masterpiece, in my opinion, the effects to underwater shots to the story, and that iconic theme when the Creature attacks! You truly hit the mark with this video good sir.

[@karl_alan]

Just 6 months ago I went through & watched every universal monster movie in order...it blew my mind how long into it I got before the gill-man appeared

[@jameslacey5474]

So, Steven Spielberg really did use 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' as a template when making 'Jaws' (because you don't see the shark until around about a third in).

[@n.d.m.515]

​@@jameslacey5474 actually, he had to wait that long because the shark mechanics kept breaking down. It was a way to avoid all the terrible special effects that set the movie back from completion.

[@jameslacey5474]

@@n.d.m.515 Yes, I know I watched the making of Jaws too.

[@DaddyWarlocks]

Shape of Water did a fairly good job. Best interspecies erotica I've ever seen.

[@robertwild9447]

Any other good ones? I'm asking for a friend.

[@DoctorMinatoArisoto]

Know any other ones? Asking for myself.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Sorry but eww

[@jorgelara-maldonado3860]

I don't know what it is, but I relate, appreciate and love the Creature. There's something about it that resonates with me.

[@pistaalkohol]

Oh you finally hit 100k. Congrats, you deserve it.

[@mparis130]

Whoa! I never saw it because I had this impression that it was a crappy B-movie, but I'm definitely gonna watch it now! The original 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' is one of my fave oldies, so I bet I'll love 'Creature'.

[@dillonmathis6852]

Just found this page and am really excited to watch all your videos. These kind of videos are my favorite and tye creature is my favorite movie monster so this was a good one to start on.

[@TomFrichek]

Keep the monsters coming, my dude. 10/10 fricheks

[@Nono-hk3is]

Thank you Matt!

[@kenpatton8761]

Back in 1968, we were vacationing in Florida and stopped in at Marineland FL. At the time it was a water park, like Sea World is today, which featured big center aquarium with all sorts of fish. Hand feeding sharks by a person in an old deep water diving suit, a dolphin trick show etc. In one of the underwater viewing rooms they had all the old movie props of when they filmed some of the “Creature” scenes. Fast forward 55 years--I revisited Marineland last year to see how much had changed…..all the aquarium fish were gone…it is now a dolphin research center and gives tours, even allowing visitors to “swim with the dolphins”. But they still had some of the “Creature” movie props in the underwater viewing area. As a kid I had all the movie monster models (you assembled the plastic pieces and hand painted the model). May seem kind of boring by today’s standards but it was fun. Thanks for the memories..Cheers

[@mcds54]

I've been an avid swimmer all my life. I never could shake the image of something swimming below and trying to reach up to grab me. All thanks to this movie!

[@mickeymackenna1090]

Creature From the Black Lagoon has always been my Top Favourite Universal Monster.

[@Deadwolf27]

It's Lagoonin' Time! 😎🤙

[@Merylstreep1949]

The fact that the Creature was released in 1954 makes for interesting continuity in The Seven Year Itch which came out in 1955 , a year later because its the movie that Marilyn Monroe goes to see in that movie. I guess back then movies ran for an entire year in theaters lol

[@sallykohorst8803]

Loved creature movies movies so thanks for sharing love the music too.❤

[@IvanSanchez-ft3mp]

Really enjoyed the video and yeah i want to see more Universal monsters, especially when Neca is releasing action figures. Appreciate giving Milicent Patrick the recognition she deserves since that design looks so dope that it even feels way ahead of its time.

[@juniorjames7076]

I grew up in NYC in the early 80s and every Sunday morning till early afternoon local Channel 5 would alternatively play Godzilla (Showa Era) vs. somebody, Tarzan, Abbott & Costello or a Universal monster flick. Creature was not shown often but it was a rare treat to see it!

[@studogable]

Excellent overview. You've earned yourself a subscriber.

[@trentaccid2177]

VERY WELL DONE PIECE HERE . THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE CREATURE ALIVE.

[@Enshohma]

Another great retrospective on one of the all time great movie creatures! I'd like to share the following fun fact that the aquatic primate Ragon, a kaiju from the ongoing Ultraman series, is also a homage to The Gill Man, appearing first in 1966's "Ultra Q" and still making appearances to this very day: his most recent appearance in "Ultraman Decker" (2022-2023) even ties Ragon to Lovecraft's The Shadow of Innsmouth and other mythical fishmen. I'd also would love to see you tackle Universal's Invisible Man films, including its two comedy entries and the 2020 film from Blumhouse.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

The first universal monster movie I'd ever seen. I didn't know there were sequels. I've only ever seen him in the original, Monster vs. Aliens, and Monster Squad.

[@kennethsatria6607]

The lovecraftian inspired reimagining looks and sounds awesome, a shame it couldnt be made back in that era, its most likely gonna be cgi in present day unless someone gets a good budget

[@vincentbatten4686]

I had never seen revenge, but now I'm seeing just how much it was also an influence on Shape of Water.

[@KiltedCreatureWNC]

R.I.P. Ricou Browning. the Last Classic Universal Monstere

[@georgelea4297]

Congrats on getting 100k Matt

[@owensreviews625]

Gil-Man rules. Always felt like he was the most underrated Universal monster.

[@DiegoReviews]

Every time I hear about that cancelled John Carpenter Creature movie I get a little depressed.

[@MattDraper]

Me too

[@evenhartwick4422]

i also heard Peter Jackson was in talks to remake the creature at some point but chose to remake King Kong instead that also could have potentially been awesome

[@DiegoReviews]

@@evenhartwick4422 I heard that too. In this video!

[@sandradermark8463]

Shape of Water is the best Creature Feature ever and you cannot deny it.

[@josephkolar3443]

Pretty much the best movie monster design after the Alien.

[@MattDraper]

Love the Xenomorph!

[@johndelye3402]

Haven't watched the whole video but if you're familiar with the Ultraman franchise, there's a recurring character named Ragon, the design of said creature was obviously influenced by the gill man design.However in Uktra Q its just a mother looking for her infant,when it is returned to her by a brave woman the Q Ragon simply turns away and walks off into the water with her child. The Ragon species appears in Ultraman but grown to giant size by radiation,in this episode a character probably heard of the previous Ragon episode and suggested using music to calm this one,but music just agitated the thing more.

[@robertodell9193]

I remember Ragon. Good suit design.

[@Merylstreep1949]

Julie Adams and that white swimsuit deserve a video of their own❤❤❤❤plus the woman makeup artist who REALLY was the one responsible for the Creature

[@kcadventures1454]

What a great retrospective! I love the gillman! Also, mono memory are awesome, I first heard them in the PS5 game arcade paradise.

[@81hewp]

May all the wonderful actors in this fantastic movie live on, forever. R.I. P.

[@stewartschuster]

Yes to more Universal Monsters retrospectives!

[@JoeLovesComics]

Great video! This was interesting.

[@geraldmartin7703]

I was at the drive-in with my parents in 1954 when the trailer for the first Creature movie was shown. The claw (@ 7:35) covering the terrified laborer's face scarred me for life.. Interestingly, two years later a couple actors from the second Creature movie were on the Today Show to promote that movie. I remember (@ 11:41) the clip of the lead actor and actress chatting while the creature appears between them in the aquarium window.

[@Browchowskis]

Monster Squad was epic! That movie needs to be re-released in 4K!

[@alexanderdanvers3247]

The new intro bangs. As usual, another W video essay.

[@brianyaeger8209]

Great video!

[@armandotorres8962]

Draper is slowly becoming the Horror/Monster guy!

[@NodDisciple1]

Dude...the Gil Man had TWO sequels! "Revenge of The Creature" (which was also a MST3K Episode) and "The Creature Walks Among Us." *Cue Meme.*

[@SPIDERtuber7610]

First one the Creature is defending his home from people and falls in love. Second, he is brought to Florida and understandably escapes. In the third... He is SUS!

[@evenhartwick4422]

i never saw any of the creature sequels so i was totally shocked at the weird direction they took the third one.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Good job! Thank you!

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Revenge of the Creature was the first episode of MST3K I ever saw, and somewhat ironically, it was responsible for me falling deep in love with b-movies. I also have a theory that Jaws 3 is a weak remake of Revenge of the Creature, but maybe that's a stretch.

[@RagShop1]

Jaws 3 is not a weak remake of 'Revenge'; it's just WEAK! Universal SHOULD have done a new Creature flick, instead of that shark turkey!

[@Merylstreep1949]

Plus Julie Adams in that white bathing suit omfg

[@dodgerthedudeoriginal]

So you got official music now? Hell yeah

[@ntcnetwork9934]

I’d love to see more Universal Monster retros! Also maybe Scream?

[@zackeryparkerson]

“Hey. How’s it goin?” Genius.

[@inktea256]

I played the Creature from the Black Lagoon a ton at my town’s local pinball arcade tonight! That’s what got me to finally watch the film once I got home! 😁

[@a-lex7351]

One of my favorites of the Universal Classic Monsters. 70 Years its been around. Same time like Godzilla

[@rameybutler-hm7nx]

Creature is my favorite universal monster movie. I rank it a essential movie.

[@lsimon343]

Gil man in cabin in the woods could’ve been an epic homage to this character!!

[@godmaentertainment4375]

"Humanoids from the deep", which is a hard R Corman movie, reminds me of Carpenter's idea.

[@Psycopathicus]

Out of all of these, I've only seen 'Creature' and and 'Monster Squad' - but I will agree that the original 'Creature' is still an extremely good film. The underwater photography is beautiful, the characters are decently engaging by monster movie standards, and, of course, the Creature himself is iconic in all the best ways. Incidentally, I'm surprised you didn't mention 'Humanoids From The Deep'. I haven't seen it, mind you, but I've read several reviews, and the impression I've gotten is that, prior to 'Shape of Water', it was, for many decades, THE main knockoff gill-man movie, featuring, as it did, not just one, but a whole race of 'Creatures'.