Tonight on MeTV- we are pleased to dedicate our program to the memory of a wonderful lady- a fine actress with a great career- and one of the most memorable features of this evening’s film. We honor the memory of Julie Adams, who passed away earlier this month- as we bring you the film she is arguably best known for- “Creature from the Black Lagoon”!
Our story begins when we find Dr. Maia along the banks of the Amazon River, conducting a geological expedition- and astounded by finding 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 of sea creatures becoming land dwellers! Leaving his two native assistants at his camp, he travels to Brazil to consult with his former student Dr. Reed , a California ichthyologist doing research there.
Reed can't identify the fossil either- and suggests a return to the Amazon, in hopes of finding more of the fossil. Amazingly, with little argument, his boss ,Dr. Williams, agrees that such an expedition would be worth the effort and expense- not so much thinking what it could mean to science- but about the money further discovery of additional skeletal proof might bring. His approval hinges on him being along on the expedition, with Maia, Reed, and Reed’s beautiful girlfriend and assistant Kay (played by the late Miss Adams).
They return and head down the Amazon aboard the Rita, a ramshackle steamer, under the command of the eccentric Captain Lucas, who is well versed in the local waterways and lore. They arrive at Maia’s campsite, only to find the base torn apart, and his men - dead! While the idea that this was a jaguar attack is mentioned- it doesn’t seem like anybody is really believing that was the case.
They continue to search for the fossil proof they seek, but time passes -and they haven't found any further fossils. A new theory emerges-any additional fossil remains could have been swept down river with the passage of time! 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!
They enter the lagoon, totally unaware that the creature whose fossilized remains they hope to find is actually alive and well- and stalking them! They put down anchor, and the menfolk 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 appears to be the attacker at the campsite- and now- it’s aiming for them!
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- and 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 established the Gill Man as the last of the great Universal monsters, and we’ll tell you about his background and the movie’s cast, while providing a Sven song, a commercial for a scent sent from the Amazon, and more. Because the show was already recorded when we got word of Julie Adams’ passing, we could not add an additional segment about her- but were allowed a few moments of the network’s time to honor her with a brief announcement. Having personally had the chance to meet Julie and chat with her, I can say that she was a very warm and wonderful person- whose career spanned decades on TV and in movies- and should be remembered. Yes, we did run this a few months ago- and it will get another run later this year- but the timing of this run could not have been more perfect.
"Creature from the Black Lagoon" is back tonight on MeTV at 8pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or check for time and channel in your local listings and or www.metv.com . Chicago area viewers get an encore look at some other beautiful women- and a couple reluctant astronauts- in “Abbott and Costello Go to Mars” at 11 am on WCIU, the U.
Please be aware – the supply of the new Sven action figures is getting close to the end- if you’re interested, you might want to get to the “store” tab here on our site as soon as possible before they are sold out!
Tonight- join us to honor a fine actress – who will always be remembered as the Gill Man’s favorite leading lady- on MeTV!
