The design of the Creature in the classic sci-fi/horror film The Creature From The Black Lagoon was one of the most sophisticated and innovative creature designs of that time period.
When you consider the time the movie was produced in the 1950s the remarkable achievement when it came to the Creature’s costume design is quite amazing.
Not only did the stunt person wearing the costume have to wear a large foam rubber suit in several pieces they also were equipped with scuba gear cleverly hidden in the costume.
Underwater photography is always tricky because of the shifting and dim lighting. To pull off a monster film where much of the action is in or under the water wasn't a small feat.
Such filming was in its infancy and many of the safety precautions and technology we take for granted today were not present at that time.
I love this figure-it is one of my favorite Sideshow Collectibles monster figures.
Like all Sideshow figures it is contained within a flip lid box with a clear plastic viewing panel, plastic cocoon for securing the figure and accessories and a secure plastic strip to hold the figure in place.
The cover is a reproduction of the original Creature movie poster and on the inside of the flap a full list of movie credits is included.
The fully articulated figure is a masterpiece of hidden pivot points, hinge articulation, ball and joint and swivel points all hidden by the layered scales of the Creature.
The details on the figure are amazing. Every single scale, scale section and nuisance of the figure are present. Every foot and hand claw is off white with deepening brown striations as they get closer to the finger and toe tips.
The figure’s head duplicates the deep-set, fish-like eyes, nostril ridge that goes into the red lip frog-like mouth and multi-layered chin-breathing chamber.
On each side of Creature’s face are a series of gills that start just below the brow and go all the way to the neck connection to the shoulders.
Each arm is covered by scaled sections as is the chest, torso, legs and back (with fins).
The figure’s hands are humanoid with four fingers and one thumb with webbing connecting all the digits. Large claws end at each finger.
The large feet look bony with scale coverings and five toes each, with the inner toes shorter than the others. They also end in claws.
The coloration is what makes the Creature, with its multi-layer green, light green abdomen and scale sections’ darker overlapping edges.
The face, hand and feet detailing are the most elaborate and faithfully recreate the look of the Creature.
Included with the figure is a base, support wire and a reproduction of the skeletal hand discovered by the scientists in the movie.
The figure is a masterpiece of scaling, coloring, sculpting and articulation. Is it any wonder it is one of my favorite figures?
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