Creature from the Black Lagoon (5 Stars)

I heard yesterday about the recent death of Julie Adams, who starred in "Creature from the Black Lagoon", so I decided to watch it again today. The film is better than I remembered it. Much better. Two days ago I said that "Earth vs Flaying Saucers" (1956) is dated and has to be seen in the context of when it was made. In contrast, "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954) isn't dated at all. Okay, it's in black and white, but that's the only clue that it was made 65 years ago. Don't point at the cheap special special effects, because it's the sort of film that might be made on a low budget today.

Julie Adams was born as Betty May Adams on 17th October 1926. She entered Hollywood like a hurricane. She played the lead role in her second film, "The Dalton Gang" (1949). From 1949 to 1960 she appeared in 33 films, most of them in the leading role, co-starring with actors like James Stewart, Rock Hudson and Elvis Presley. Then her career ground to a halt. I assume that she wanted to concentrate on her family. Her autobiography might give more details. She only made 20 films over the next 30 years, all of them in minor roles. She made frequent television appearances, but always in very small roles. It's as if she wanted to keep her connection with the film industry without having to make a great effort. It's something that she did because she enjoyed it, not because she needed the money.

In her peak years she was known mostly for parts in cowboy films, more than half of the films she made, but the one film she'll always be remembered for is "Creature from the Black Lagoon". That's the film that has eternally captured the imagination of film fans, and rightfully so. It's a simple but powerful tale of greed in the Amazon jungle. A small expedition travels into uncharted territory to collect fossils. When they find a humanoid green-skinned creature in the water the expedition's leader wants to shoot it and take it back with them to become famous. The others are more sensible and want to leave it alive in its natural habitat, but they aren't in charge.

Maybe the gender roles are dated. The four men go into action with guns and harpoons, but Kay Lawrence, played by Julie Adams, spends her time swimming in the lagoon while the others are working. Nevertheless, by doing nothing she's more effective than the men. The creature kills the men one by one, the expedition members as well as the ship's crew, but he spares Kay. He just wants to carry her away with him. It's a typical Beauty-and-the-Beast story. Let that be a lesson. The next time an expedition goes into the Amazon the men should stay at home, letting the expedition be made up of women in bathing costumes.

Poor Julie looks terrified, but she shouldn't worry. He means well with her.

I thought I would watch a few of her other films, so I checked Netflix. Of her 53 films, not one is available on Netflix. That's a disgrace. On Amazon Prime I found one film, just one. That's something, I suppose. I want to see what this woman was like in other films. Based on the evidence of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" she was a beautiful woman and a very talented actress.

Julie Adams
October 17, 1926 – February 3, 2019

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