MeTV Has an Amazon Delivery for You - But Can Anything Deliver Us from the “Creature from the Black Lagoon” - Tonight?!

Tonight on MeTV- we go from chilly temperatures in much of the country to the steamy Amazon jungle in a classic that viewers ask for again and again, and one of my self-proclaimed favorite films, featuring what most think of as Universal Studios’ greatest monster of the 1950s! Things get tense when researchers tarry in a tributary and find themselves trapped by the “Creature from the Black Lagoon”!

Things open along the banks of the Amazon River, where we find one Dr. Maia conducting a geological expedition. He is astounded to find an unusual fossil- a large webbed claw, the likes of which even a seasoned man of science like him has never seen. The doctor thinks it may be a true missing link in the evolutionary chain-from when sea creatures developed into land dwellers! He leaves his two native assistants to hold down his camp, and travels to Brazil to consult with former student Dr. Reed, a California ichthyologist who happens to be doing research there-along with his stunning girlfriend and assistant Kay.

It's kind of a dead end-Reed can't identify the fossil either. He suggests that 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 (although he is not so much thinking what it could mean to science- more about the money any discovery of additional skeletal proof might bring). However, his approval hinges on him joining the expedition, with Maia, Reed, and Kay. Since he is holding the power, his inclusion really can’t be refused, and they are all 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. A shock awaits them when they arrive at Maia’s campsite -the place is torn apart, and both his men are dead! It’s suggested that this was a jaguar attack- but it doesn’t seem like any of them is really believing that was the case.

Regardless of the horrific event, they continue their search for the fossil proof they seek, but as time passes - they haven't found any further parts of the fossil, nor even a hint of any. A new theory is brought forth- that any additional fossil remains could have been swept down river with the passage of time! The idea makes sense to the researchers, 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 enter the lagoon, finding the area beautiful and fascinating ( much like Kay)-but they are 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 her memorable dip (yes, at times, represented by her stunt double)- unaware that the Gill Man is right below her, following her every move, and close enough to touch her!

No sooner is everyone back aboard the boat when the boat begins rocking, due to something getting caught in the ship's net. The end result is the net being torn apart tearing it apart, with an ominous claw left stuck in the netting! The expedition party is shocked to realize that the fabled Gill Man still exists! It is most likely responsible for the attack on Maia’s campsite, but now-they find it’s aiming for them- with the home field advantage!

There are more savage attacks, and the wise thing to do would be 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 find a way to escape-or join the statistics 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 and a commercial for an alluring scent sent directly from the Amazon. You’ll see some other vintage Gill Man bits, an interview with a stunning actress, highlights of a costume contest from the last Flashback Weekend, and more!

"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 last week (for the entire two and a half hours!) 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 a second look at the classic “Godzilla, King of the Monsters” at 11 am on our main local station, CW26.

Tune in tonight to see if the Gill Man takes a hint from the groundhog, and sees that he is shadowed ( see what I did there?) by humans- and the chilling consequences of that discovery!