Month: March 2021

  • John Hughes Movies: Worst to Best

    John Hughes Movies: Worst to Best

    If you take a trip to Shermer, Illinois, you are bound to get lost like Jay and Silent Bob. Mostly because, there is no Shermer, Illinois. The fictional town, just outside of the very real Chicago, Illinois was the backdrop for many, not all, but many of Hughes films. John Hughes did something in the 80s’ that many have never been able to do, he gave every adolescent a voice. He spoke for the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, and the criminal. He let us know it was okay to be us, to be weird and different. He showed us we we’re not alone. Hughes believed that even though life may be hard when we are adults, the struggles of the teenage years are real. To honor the film lord, here is a ranking of his top 20 movies, worst to best. Since it is so hard to rate some of these films, I will be using IMDB scores to determine where each film lands, with a little of my own judgement when needed.  

    101 Dalmatians (1996)

    101 Dalmatians (1996) Score: 5.7  

    This is a perfect example why I am going with the IMDB score and not my own, I would have placed this movie higher on the list. In reality, it is not that bad of a film. Yes, there are some issues, but ultimate when the film came out, I was the perfect age and didn’t mind the issues.  

    Career Opportunities (1991)

    Career Opportunities (1991) Score: 5.9  

    Frank Whaley and Jennifer Connelly play an unlikely pair who hit it off one night while they are both working at Target. As their relationship grows, they decide to run away together, but two screw up crooks decide to rob the target and things go a little off the wall. A lesser-known Hughes film but still worth a once through.  

    Curly Sue (1991)

    Curly Sue (1991) Score: 5.9  

    Jim Belushi and Alisan Porter actually pull this movie off. Nothing says “hit movie” like a homeless guy and his homeless friend, who happens to be a little girl. It may be high on this list, but that’s because of the competition here. It is worth a viewing.  

    She’s Having a Baby (1988)

    She’s Having a Baby (1988) Score: 5.9 

    Kevin Bacon in the late 80s’, of course this is going to be a cool flick! I am a little surprised more people do not talk about this movie. It has been said that much of the film was written from the personal experiences of Hughes and his wife. Unfortunately, many people did not like the film and the reviews are mixed and divided. However, I think it is a great movie and even Kevin Smith says it is his favorite Hughes movie and was the inspiration for Jersey Girl.  

    Baby’s Day Out (1994)

    Baby’s Day Out (1994) Score: 6.2  

    Here’s the premises, there is a baby, and he decides to take a day out. That is basically what this film is. Well, there is also some guys who are wanting to hold the baby ransom, if they could just get their hands on him! There are many who claim this is a fantastic film now and it has become a cult classic despite its bomb in the box office. I wouldn’t call it a fantastic film, and it is not a movie that feels like Hughes, but it was fun to watch.   

    Dutch (1991)

    Dutch (1991) Score: 6.5 

    I will forever be an Ed O’Neil fan. I grew up watching Married with Children, but Dutch is, in my opinion, an easily forgettable movie. It’s not that it is a bad film really, it just isn’t a stand-out film.  

    Mr. Mom (1983)

    Mr. Mom (1983) Score: 6.6 

    Here is where we really start getting into my favorite John Hughes films. From here on out, (with an exception or two) all of these films would be an 8 or hirer in my book. But we are not going by my scores. Mr. Mom is a hilarious story about a laid off dad becoming the main stay-at-home parent.  

    The Great Outdoors (1988)

    The Great Outdoors (1988) Score: 6.7 

    There are so many wonderful moments in this movie! From beginning to end it is a hilarious ride of two families taking a vacation together. Dan Aykroyd and John Candy work so well together and this movie proves that!  

    Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

    Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Score: 6.8  

    It’s hard for a sequel to meet the expectations of the first film, but really this is still a decent movie with some fun scenes. I wouldn’t say this is a better movie than Mr. Mom or The Great Outdoors however, but that’s just me.  

    Pretty in Pink (1986)

    Pretty in Pink (1986) Score: 6.8  

    For many, this should be in the number one spot. I wouldn’t place it there myself, but it was a little surprising to me that it had this low of a score. Like a lot of these films, Pretty in Pink may not have aged well, but it is a classic that deserves its place on this list. The original ending was that Andie and Duckie end up together, but test audiences were not satisfied, and the studio changed it and Hughes was never happy with that choice.  

    Weird Science (1985)

    Weird Science (1985) Score: 6.8  

    Another film that may not have aged very well, Weird Science is a fun flick that I often times look back on and laugh at just the memories. Bill Paxton turning into a giant pile of poop is still one of the most hideously hilarious things I have ever seen.  

    Uncle Buck (1989)

    Uncle Buck (1989) Score: 7.0 

    John Candy flipping giant pancakes for a sweet little Macaulay Culkin is only one of the awesome scenes in this movie. Candy was almost not cast in this role and there was a HUGE list of actors being considered including, Danny DeVito, Tom Cruise, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, John Travolta, Michael Keaton, Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Ed O’Neil, and even Joe Pesci. How different would this movie have been if ANY of these actors would have taken the lead role!?  

    Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) Score: 7.1 

    Don’t get me wrong, this is a great movie and I honestly love Eric Stoltz and Lea Thompson, but I was surprised it scored this high on the list. It’s just that you do not hear a lot of people talk about this movie. Most movies that Hughes dealt with high school teens going through life, became hits. This is no different.  

    Sixteen Candles (1984) Score: 7.1  

    Proving again that a coming-of-age story penned by Hughes has the potential to grow into a classic, Sixteen Candles takes place in 1984 and centers around Samantha Baker on her sixteenth birthday. Unfortunately, no one remembers her birthday. Hughes paints a vivid picture of feeling unnoticed and unwanted as a teenager in this film.  

    National Lampoons: Vacation (1983)

    National Lampoons: Vacation (1983) Score: 7.4 

    When director Harold Ramis and screen writer John Hughes gets together, magic happens. Vacation is, in my opinion, the best road comedy film ever made. Chevy Chase alongside Beverly D’Angelo make this a non-stop giggle fest.  

    Home Alone (1990)

    Home Alone (1990) Score: 7.6 

    For any kid who grew up in the late 80s’ and early 90s’, this film made us WANT someone to break into our house. I knew without a doubt that if someone broke in, I could protect my family with some MICRO-Machines and a B.B gun.  

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) Score: 7.6 

    Steve Martin and John Candy go together like John Candy and Dan Aykroyd. This movie puts two people who are completely different in the same situation and force them to work together. This is not only a comedy but has some depth to it as well in regard to how we see and treat people and what pain strangers carry around with them every day.  

    National Lampoons: Christmas Vacation (1989)

    National Lampoons: Christmas Vacation (1989) Score: 7.6 

    Vacation is a classic film, but Christmas Vacation is one of the best Christmas movies ever made. Watched year after year by thousands of fans, this is possibly the most quoted film on the list. Just a man who wants his family to have a great Christmas, Clark slowly unravels and has a complete breakdown as the film goes on. I agree with the number one spot on the list, but this is my favorite Hughes movie.  

    Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

    Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Score: 7.8 

    A toss up for the number one spot, I ultimately placed this movie in the second place because the number one film ticks more boxes. Having said that, the fandom that surrounds this movie surpasses generations. I still see high school kids wearing “Save Ferris” shirts. Many of these fans, have no idea there is a ska band of the same name.  

    The Breakfast Club (1985)

    The Breakfast Club (1985) 7.8 

    The number one spot goes to possibly the best teenage angst film ever made. Breakfast Club has something for every type of teen, and really does a spot-on job of showing them that they are not alone, and it is okay for them to be weird or stand out from the crowd. This is the go-to 80s’ film and one that I feel deserves to be put on any “best of” list when it comes to teen dramas.  

    Written exclusively for TheLastPicture.Show by Jacob Ruble

    Disclosure: The links on this page are “Affiliate Links” and while these are shown at no costs to our viewers, they generate commissions for our website(s)

  • 10 Best of SNL Skits

    10 Best of SNL Skits

    Best of SNL Skits

    Saturday Night Live has been around since 1975. The comedy sketch show has stayed a relevant comedy super giant almost its entire life span. Any show with the longevity that SNL has had is bound to have its valleys, but what keeps us coming back are the peaks! When I was growing up, we would spend every Saturday night at my uncle’s house. The parents would all be partying and talking about the weeks they had at work and really just trying to unwind. But when that cold open came on, everyone shut up and gathered around the large Magnavox television sitting on the floor. I remember the roaring laughter that would flood that tiny living room when Toonces the driving cat would come on, or when Wayne’s World would be excellent. Saturday Night Live (along with Cheech and Chong) is what made me what to pursue a career in writing and comedy. It is difficult to narrow down a top ten of the bet skits, so we will do a 10 Best of SNL Skits, because we all know there are more than ten, and we can add to the list later on down the road.  

    Matt Foley 

    On May 8th, 1993 the comic genius Chris Farley introduced the world to the legend of Matt Foley. Foley was an inspirational speaker who worked with troubled teens to help them “get back on track” before they ended up in the same situation he was in, “LIVING IN A VAN, DOWN BY THE RIVER!” Unfortunately, we only got a total of 8 Matt Foley sketches, but they will forever go down in history as one of the best SNL sketches ever aired.  

    Celebrity Jeopardy! 

    A sketch that really took on a life of its own, Celebrity Jeopardy! aired two episodes per season from 1996 to 2002 with two more sketches coming back, once in 2005 and last in 2009. Will Ferrell playing an on-edge parody of the wonderful Alex Trebek was so funny and wild that no matter who was on the sketch, it would be a success every time. Luckily, there were some amazing hosts and cast members to come on and bring life to the sketch. Some of the favorites were Norm Macdonald, Jimmy Fallon and Darrell Hammond.  

    Tina is Palin  

    Tina Fey is a POWERHOUSE in comedy! One of the greatest writers that the genre has ever seen. Not only is Fey a fantastic writer, but her performances are also top notch. Her parody of Sarah Palin leading up to the 2008 presidential election was of course hilarious, but also so spot on that many people thought it was really Palin! It was so good that Fey won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding guest Actress in a Comedy Series.  

    Stefon’s Tips 

    Bill Harder quickly became a stand-out cast member when he joined SNL. With so many amazing characters that Hader brought to life, Stefon has to be one of the best. Stefon was introduced in 2008 and was created by Bill Harder and John Mulaney. I have never seen anyone watch an entire clip of Stefon and not crack up laughing at his hilarious monologue and awkward mannerisms. This sketch has everything! A lot of the things that Hader would read off the teleprompter was new to him causing fits of laughter which really hit home how great this sketch was.  

    Wayne’s World  

    Not every sketch has the legs to carry two feature films (and possibly a third one in the making). Wayne’s World starred Mike Myers and Dana Carvey and first aired in 1987. The hard rocking long hairs made their way to the big screen in 1992 and came back for a sequel in 1993. One of the most quotable sketches in SNL history, Wayne’s World really is…excellent.  

    Harry Caray 

    Will Ferrell’s transformation into the baseball legend Harry Caray was not just comedy, it was a form of art. The hilarious character that ultimately is Harry Caray, could stand on his own, but Ferrell took his mannerisms and went over the top with them. The stand-out sketch was with Jeff Goldblum where Ferrell, as Caray, asked him if he would eat the moon if it was made of spareribs. I know I would!  

    Chesseburger, Cheeseburger, No Coke, Pepsi  

    When the foundation of SNL was being laid, some of the hardest work was put in by John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtain, and Laraine Newman. How lucky viewers were when they all came together in The Olympia Café to serve up cheeseburgers with a Pepsi, no Coke. This sketch ran six times from 1978 to 1979.  

    Church Lady 

    You know who else loves SNL? SATAN! According to Church Lady that is. Impersonator extraordinaire Dana Carvey brought The Church Lady to life in 1986 and last appeared in 2016. Enid Strict (The Church Lady) was the host of her show, Church Chat where she would interview celebrities and pretty much just shame them to hell. So many people found this sketch funny because we all know a church lady like this. Someone who looks sweet and innocent but has no issues with telling someone they are going to hell for the way they dance. The sketch really was…special.  

    Land Shark  

    “The Landshark is considered the cleverest of all sharks…it is capable of disguising its voice, and generally preys on young, single women.”  

    November 8, 1975 the shark walked our hallways and stalked our daughters! In response to the film Jaws, Chevy Chase voiced the Land Shark, Dan Aykroyd took on the role of Chief Brody, and John Belushi became Matt Hooper. Landshark will always go down as one of my favorite sketches SNL has ever produced!  

    Toonces the Driving Cat 

    What is one thing that everyone wants? Obviously, it is the ability to have your pets drive you around. Toonces the Driving Cat first appeared in 1989, when Steve Martin was hosting the show, and went on for an additional 14 sketches with its last one airing in 1993. The sketch would always start out with a family allowing their cat the drive excited that he was able to take the wheel. Suddenly someone would scream “Toonces, look out!” and they would all scream (including the cat puppet) as the car flew off a cliff. This was one of my favorite sketches as a kid and years later Paul Rudd would have a running gag on the Conan show where he would pretend to show a clip of his movie but instead would shoe the clip from the movie Mac and Me where the kid falls off a cliff in his wheelchair. For some reason, this always reminded me of Toonces.  

    Written exclusively for TheLastPicture.Show by Jacob Ruble

    Disclosure: The links on this page are “Affiliate Links” and while these are shown at no costs to our viewers, they generate commissions for our website(s)

  • Nightmare on Elm Street Ranked Worst to Best

    Nightmare on Elm Street Ranked Worst to Best

    Slasher films have a long record of milking a franchise until the mil runs dry. This is an excellent tactic for some people because every now and then, a series of movies will produce some fantastic sequels, even if some are bombs. Nightmare on Elm Street is no different than the rest. Some of the films are terrific, while others, although entertaining, fall short of the rest. To write out a complete list of Nightmare on Elm Street movies, I sat down and re-watched all of them in a matter of a few days. I wanted to give each film their due respect and honor because, after all, though he didn’t work on each film, Wes Craven is their father, and he deserves it! I love slasher films. I think because most of them, Elm Street included, do this strange magic where they blend campy moments with authentic moments of terror. Among my favorite films, of course, are the Elm Street movies. After hours of Freddy terrorizing my screen, a few weird dreams, and lots of laughs, here is my ranking from worst to best. 

    The Dream Child (1989)

    A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989) 

    When a pregnant Alice begins to be tormented by Freddy, she quickly learns that Kruger is using her unborn child in an attempt to be reborn. This is still a fun movie to watch and some classic practical effect moments. However, when it comes down to it, a lot is going on in this film that causes it to derail often, and that’s saying a lot for an Elm Street film.  

    Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

    A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985) 

    A new family moves into the Thompson house on Elm Street, and this time Freddy is ready to take control of the teen boy living in Nancy’s old room. The strange direction some of the characters take in this film lands it in this spot. The story is fun, and the over-all movie is honestly incredible, but there are a few scenes that take away from the film, mostly when Mark Patton screams. 

    The Final Nightmare (1991)

    Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) 

    Freddy uses the last teen in Springwood to lure in a group of fresh teens and one adult with a special connection to Freddy who may help him leave Springwood forever. One of the best parts of this entry is when Tom and Rosanne show up for really no reason. I thought it was an exciting idea to have Freddy kill all the kids in Springwood so that he has to send someone out to recruit for him and bring back his daughter for a ride out of town. The main issue I had with the film is the weird intro that feels like Escape from New York or something. Freddy using a Nintendo Power glove knock-off makes up for this a little though.  

    A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

    A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) 

    This entry is a reboot that brings realism and more of what Cravens original vision for the night-time nuisance. Craven originally wanted Freddy to not just be a child murderer but a child molester. While about to film the first movie, however, a news story about multiple children being molested in California came out. Craven thought it best to steer clear of that story. In the 2010 reboot, they went back to this original thought and a few changes to Freddy’s character. No longer would he have one-liners and be more of a comical lousy guy. Now, he would be a terror. My main issue with this reboot is the way Freddy looks. First of all, you can’t recast Englund, and second of all, he’s not as scary looking to me.  

    New Nightmare (1994)

    New Nightmare (1994) 

    Freddy is back, but this time in an ancient demonic form. Nancy once again must stop Freddy, only this time, it’s the real Nancy, Heather Langenkamp, and if she can’t stop him, she may lose her son forever. I will say that this is one of my favorites out of all the storylines in the franchise. How unique to write the movie, as a movie, in a film, about a film. Having Heather play herself fighting off an evil entity that is obsessed with keeping Freddy alive was genius. I do wish that Robert Englund playing himself would have been in the film a little longer. Although, his updated Freddy look was much better than the 2010 reboots attempt, minus the leather pants. It was strange that Heather’s onscreen father in the first film, John Saxon, acted like they really do have a father-daughter relationship in real life. But hey, it could happen. 

    The Dream Master (1988)

    A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) 

    The Dream Warriors from the third entry in the franchise are not out of the woods just yet. Freddy is back and looking to get even, but he may not be ready for the willpower of one specific teen. One great thing about the Freddy movies is that they will keep a few characters from previous films (sometimes) and kill them off quickly in the next entry. The same could be said for Friday the 13th, but we already ranked those films. 

    Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

    Freddy vs. Jason (2003) 

    The showdown every horror lover has been waiting for—the knight of Nightmares vs. the lunatic of the lake. Freddy vs. Jason for a winner takes all (souls, that is) match to the death. What more can be said about this film? It was a blast from beginning to open ending. I am still holding out for that sequel we have been promised for years. 

    Dream Warriors (1987)

    A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) 

    Nancy Thompson is back fighting Freddy in this sequel, only now she is helping a new group of teens learn how to control their dreams and fight as one. When I think back on this entire franchise, this one typically stands out above the rest. The original is hard to beat, but the scenes in this film are spectacular. The best ones are when Freddy acts as a puppeteer or possibly when he is welcoming a young actress to primetime. 

    A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

    A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) 

    Here we have the film that started them all. It is hard to beat out the original, and of course, that is the case here. With so many great scenes and the breakout role for Johnny Depp, the original Nightmare on Elm Street is still one of the best slasher films ever made. The first viewing of this movie as a kid stuck with me, and honestly, it always does. The combination of terror and comedy mixed in with the practical effects solidified this as one of my favorite movies. 

     

    Written exclusively for TheLastPicture.Show by Jacob Ruble

    Disclosure: The links on this page are “Affiliate Links” and while these are shown at no costs to our viewers, they generate commissions for our website(s)

     

  • 10 Interesting Facts about The Wonder Years

    10 Interesting Facts about The Wonder Years

    Interesting Facts about The Wonder Years

    It is difficult to look back at a show like The Wonder Years and not have fond memories. This coming-of-age story surrounding Kevin Arnold produced feelings of nostalgia for a time many of us didn’t live through. But we would feel like we did after spending so much time in the Arnold family’s home. Kevin Arnold represented all the truths growing up in a middle-class family, struggling with finding your own place and knowing the difference between right and wrong. The show first aired on January 31, 1988, just after the Super Bowl. Creators Neal Marlens and Carol Black wanted to put together a show that would appeal to the baby boomer generation. Although it did, the amount of success the show gained from more recent generations was astounding. Not many shows had as successful a run as The Wonder Years. Whether that was from the cast, writers, or Daniel Stern’s perfect narration, one thing is certain, when most people hear Joe Cocker’s hit “With a Little Help from My Friends,” they think of this show. It is such a fantastic show that it is easy to come up with a truckload of facts to stimulate that nostalgic nerve. Still, we narrowed it down to 10 of the most interesting facts for your pleasure. 

    10.Kevin and Winnie HAD to Have a Falling Out 

    Many will remember that Kevin and Winnie had a complicated relationship that 

    sometimes would result in Winnie not being around for a while. In one case, Winnie was just a background character for many months, and fans could not understand why she wasn’t in the show like she used to be. This actually had to be done because the actress who played Winnie, Danica McKellar, who was already taller than Kevin, hit a growth spurt. Kevin’s actor, Fred Savage, was still the same size. 

    9. They Were Sisters!  

    First loves are never easy to forget, but the first woman scorned is even harder to forget! Becky Slater was the first heart that Kevin Arnold ever broke and the first girl who showed how vindictive a broken heart can be! Becky Slater would make many appearances in the show. In fact, the character Beck Slater was created just for actress Crystal McKellar. Does that last name look familiar? It should because it is the same last name as Winnie Cooper actress Danica McKellar. The two are sisters who both tried out for Winnie, but Danica was the one to get the role. The showrunners, however, liked Crystal so much they created a character just for her to be in the show. 

    Interesting Facts about The Wonder Years

    8. The Show is Set in Any Town USA 

    Although the show creators had ideas about where the Arnold’s would live, the studio had another location in mind, all locations. To have the audience feel closer to the show, it was made to represent “any town USA.” You may have noticed that the name of the town is never actually mentioned. 

    7. The Jacket Stays in the Family 

    Kevin’s famous NY Jets jacket in every episode of the show is both iconic and stylish. When the show ended, actor Fred Savage’s mother wanted a keepsake from the front, so she took the jacket. It stayed with her for years until 2014 when Fred Savage took the jacket back to donate it to the Smithsonian museum. 

    6. Her Name was Winnie Cooper…right? 

    Winnie Cooper is one of those names that spark nostalgic lust in boys who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s. But is Winnie really her name? Who names a kid after a bear anyway? Winnie is NOT her actual first name. After all, it is just a nickname. It is short for Gwendoline, which honestly makes her more of a princess anyway. 

    5. Kevin Arnold Became his own Father 

    The actor who played Kevin Arnold we all know is Fred Savage. The voice actor who played the narrator, Kevin Arnold, was Daniel Stern, from the wet bandits. In the film Little Monsters (which is a classic in its own right), Stern plays Savage’s on-screen Father. So, we do always become our Father… 

    4. The First Kiss was a REAL Moment  

    When Kevin and Winnie have their first kiss, it is a magical moment that many look back on fondly. A sad moment in time when Winnie learns her brother was just killed fighting the war, best friend Kevin is there to comfort her, which results in the two adolescents’ first kiss. But for actors Savage and McKellar, it really was a moment to remember. This was their first REAL kiss as well—what a way to preserve such a memorable moment for thousands to watch. 

    Interesting Facts about The Wonder Years

    3. Paul the Law 

    In the show’s final episode, Kevin says that his best friend Paul became a graduate of Harvard and went on to become a lawyer. Josh Saviano, the actor who played Paul (not Marilyn Manson), really did graduate from Yale and become a lawyer. 

    2. The Cast of Brothers  

    In one episode, The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, Fred Savage is joined by his little brother Ben Savage. Interestingly enough, both McKellar sisters are in this episode as well. The Savage brothers would also go on to play on-screen brothers in the film Little Monsters. Ben would later have his own hit show with Boy Meets World. A whole lot of talent in those Savages! 

    1. The Love was Real  

    Not only did Savage and McKellar share their first-ever real kiss, but the two had a real-life crush on each other. The on-screen chemistry was natural. McKellar said that when the show first started out, she and Savage both really liked one another. Still, as the show went on and their relationship grew, it turned more into a brother and sister relationship that is still strong to this day. Savage has said that he was in love with her for the same reason every boy who watched the show fell in love with her. He said, “you won’t meet a sweeter, nicer girl—and she’s gorgeous.” 

    Written exclusively for TheLastPicture.Show by Jacob Ruble

    Disclosure: The links on this page are “Affiliate Links” and while these are shown at no costs to our viewers, they generate commissions for our website(s)

  • A look back at, The Creature from The Black Lagoon

    A look back at, The Creature from The Black Lagoon

    Creature from The Black Lagoon

    The Creature from the Black Lagoon is a film that transcends generations. I remember first watching the movie when I was around 8 years old. It captured my imagination like no other film had at that point. Most of the films I had seen were in color, so the black and white aspect drew me in immediately. I think I had a feeling that since it was in black and white, there was a certain amount of respect it deserved. I still feel that way today, even after watching countless films that lack story and great acting along with color. Yet, after all these years and all the flops I have observed, there is something about classic films that draws me in. No genre pulls me in like a creature feature, however. Old monster movies are by far my favorite, and since that day, when an 8-year-old boy sat eyes on the Gillman for the first time, Creature from The Black Lagoon is my favorite. 

    Truth time, it had been years since I sat down and watched this entire movie. I caught clips here and there but didn’t dedicate the full 79 minutes the film deserves. I wanted to know if my nostalgic emotions were getting the better of me or if this film really should be crowned king creature. 

    I purchased the Universal Monsters box set consisting of 8 Universal Monster films. The films included are Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera, and of course, Creature from the Black Lagoon. Over the next few weeks, I will be looking back at all of these films, but today I wanted to start with my favorite. 

    The Creature from the Black Lagoon premiered in Detroit on February 12th, 1954, as a black and white 3D horror film. At the time, no one could have predicted the longevity of the film. Monster movies would come and go, some to be forgotten forever, but The Creature refused to sink. 

    Director Jack Arnold (It Came from Outer Space) did an outstanding job creating a sense of dread in each scene with the creature. Much of the credit, however, must go to Hans Salter for his musical score. The tension that builds with Salters score makes the film what it really is, a horror film. Arnold said that he wanted to tap into the fear and anxiety that one has when swimming and have that primal feeling of something lurking beneath the water. In many scenes, this feeling is evident—still, none like when Kay Lawrence (Julie Adams) is swimming away from the boat. The Gill-Man is swimming just below her, mimicking her every stroke and studying her movements. When she stops swimming and is merely treading water, he reaches over and lightly touches her foot. This moment has stuck with me all these years, and still to this day, when I am swimming in murky water and feel something touch my foot, I picture this moment in film history. 

    Creature from The Black Lagoon

     Richard Carlson 

    Dr. David Reed’s character is played by Richard Carlson. During this playthrough, I kept thinking that I knew him from somewhere but could not pinpoint exactly where it was. Then, in the scene when they find the brush blocking the boat “Rita” from leaving the lagoon, it hit me. Carlson played John Putnam in the film. It Came from Outer Space, where he also worked with Jack Arnold. Carlson is an iconic star in the creature feature world, solely based on his two films’ roles. 

    Creature from The Black Lagoon

        Ricou Browning 

    The Gill-Man was brought to life by two different stuntmen. The fact that the film would be shot both on land and underwater was the reason for this decision. Ricou Browning played the creature when underwater due to his professional career as a diver. While filming the underwater scenes, Browning would have to hold his breath for up to 4 minutes at a time. This was necessary because if he breathed while on camera, his air bubbles would come out of the mask’s mouth and not the gills. Browning also said he could remember one day while filming when he was struck with the need to use the bathroom extremely bad. He swam to the nearest bank and came out of the water where a young mother and child stood. When he breached the water and came on land, the family screamed and ran away in terror. 

    When the Gill-Man was on land (or boat), Ben Chapman breathed life into the gills. Chapman would be the one to travel the country in the foam-rubber-suite promoting the film and scaring fans. 

    Creature from The Black Lagoon

    Ben Chapman 

    One of the most surprising things to me was how beautiful the film truly is. Even though it was shot almost 70 years ago, the underwater scenes have to be appreciated. The amount of detail and care that went into every scene on land and underwater proves that the crew did not just want to make another monster movie. The birth of the film’s idea even had care and respect while building the story that would become The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The film’s producer William Alland first got the idea for the story while attending a party during Citizen Kane’s filming. Aland said that a cinematographer from Mexico named Gabriel Figueroa told of a myth of half-fish, half-human creatures that live in the Amazon River. This myth stuck to Alland, and he wrote out some notes or a story titled “The Sea Monster.” Years later, with the help of Maurice Zimm, Harry Essex and Arthur Ross finished the story, and the rest is cinema history. 

    The Gill-Man design was done by Disney animator Millicent Patrick (Fantasia, Dumbo, and again, It Came from Outer Space). The idea of how he would look was based on a classic sea monster, The Sea Bishop. 

    After all of these years, the film still holds the number one place in my book. It does an incredible job of mixing beauty, terror, and suspense, all while the creature parades around in a giant foam rubber suit that should not be menacing. The actor could hardly see through the mask, only move the mouth when raising his chin, and cause the gills to appear to be breathing with a small pump inside the suit. Regardless of the film’s age, the limitations set by outdated technology and bulky practical effects, this is, in my opinion, the best creature feature film of the classic era. 

    Stay tuned for more articles that are a look back at Universal Monster movies. 

    Written exclusively for TheLastPicture.Show by Jacob Ruble

    Disclosure: The links on this page are “Affiliate Links” and while these are shown at no costs to our viewers, they generate commissions for our website(s)

  • Jeanne d’Arc Review

    Jeanne d’Arc Review

    Jeanne d’Arc Review
    • Details:  
    • Directed by  Georges Méliès 
    • Produced by  Georges Méliès 
    • Written by Georges Méliès 
    • Released 1900 
    • Country  France 
    • Duration 13 minutes 
    • Cast  Jeanne Calvière, Jeanne d’Alcy, and Georges Méliès 

    Break Down: 

    Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) takes place in the village of Domrémy in France. A young woman who lives in the town named Joan is visited by three various saints, Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. These saints tell her she needs to fight for her country. She decides to listen to the saints against the wishes and pleads of her family. She heads to Vaucouleurs and meets up with Captain Robert de Baudricourt. After some convincing, the Captain allows her to fight with the French soldiers and command them as well. During a siege, Joan is taking as a prisoner by the Anglo-Burgundians and has more visions while she is in prison. Joan is considered a heretic and burned at stake. While the fire at the stake is being stoked, the wood carrier dies from the fumes. The short ends with Joan ascending to heaven, where she is greeted by the Saints and God. 

    Jeanne d’Arcis a short that was released in the year 1900. It is based on the life of Joan of Arc. Despite this being a short silent film, it does a fantastic job of pulling one in and forcing an emotional response. The music is relatively consistent the entire time. However, there are times when it changes its tempo to match the scenes being depicted. Although Jeanne Calvière is the star of the short, playing Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc), writer and director Georges Méliès plays seven separate roles. He plays Jeanne’s father, her uncle, Robert de Baudricourt, a beggar, a soldier, one of the jailers, and the wood carrier at the execution. 

    Jeanne d’Arc Review

    Méliès was a leader in the film industry and was well known for his special effects, which are evident in this early film. He popularized techniques like substitution splices, multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves, and hand-painted color scenes. The hand-painted color scenes really help make Jeanne d’Arc stand out from other silent films of the time. There are a few scenes that really come together because of the added color. The one that sticks out the most is the final few shots of the short. The one where Jeanne is being burned at the stake. The added red and orange color in the fire helps to drive home the fire’s size and heat that causes the wood carrier to die. The final shot is of Jeanne ascending to heaven, and the color in this scene also helps to deliver the message of what is playing out. In the parade at Orléans, Méliès had the cast walk from left to right across the screen and then circle back around off scene and cross again, giving the illusion of over 500 people being in the parade. 

    Méliès wanted to ensure that viewers understood Joan’s status as a national hero of France and her being a martyr to the people. This is demonstrated when Joan first appears on the screen, herding a flock of sheep. This is a type and shadow of how Joan will eventually lead the French soldiers. At the end of the short, Joan enters into the kingdom of heaven and is greeted by the Saints and God. This signifies Joan’s status as being suitable for sainthood. 20 years after the film was released, the Catholic church agreed with Méliès depiction of Joan. It officially canonized her solidifying her as a Saint. 

    The film was an excellent success for Méliès and second only to his film Cinderella. It was shown all over France, Montreal, Havana, and England. It was also offered all over the United States by the Edison Manufacturing Company; only the prints being sold in the US were all pirated duplicates. This became such an issue for Méliès that he opened an American branch of his company in New York. The film disappeared and was thought to have been lost forever, until 1982 when a hand-colored print was discovered. The print, however, was missing the first scene. 

    Watch “Jeanne d’Arc (1900)” on TheLastPicture.Show

    Written exclusively for TheLastPicture.Show by Jacob Ruble

    Disclosure: The links on this page are “Affiliate Links” and while these are shown at no costs to our viewers, they generate commissions for our website(s)