Being something of an arachnophobe, this film scared me terrifically when I was a child. I saw it again on DVD a couple of days ago, and was surprised to see how well it holds up. The spider is genuinely effective and creepy. Arnold is very underrated as a director -he gives the film an eerie quality lacking in most of its contemporaries. Obviously inspired by "Them", it does not disgrace its source. I liked John Agar's performance; I understand Universal Pictures, to whom he was under contract, kept him in sci-fi monster movies when his pool-mates Rock Hudson and co went on to Stardom. A shame, because on this evidence he could have made it, too.
The script's references to Acromegalia are interesting, too. Not least as an unfortunate victim of the disease, Rondo Hatton, was a well-known contract-player on the Universal lot in the 1940s. Makes me wonder if he was the inspiration for this plot point.
Also - anyone notice the lift from the Dunwich Horror? The investigators surveying the aftermath of the trail of destruction? My own feeling is that Arnold, or somebody involved with the creation of his films, was into Lovecraft. Creature From The Black Lagoon appears to be inspired by The Deep Ones. At least to me.
All in all, highly recommended example of a fifties monster flick.
The script's references to Acromegalia are interesting, too. Not least as an unfortunate victim of the disease, Rondo Hatton, was a well-known contract-player on the Universal lot in the 1940s. Makes me wonder if he was the inspiration for this plot point.
Also - anyone notice the lift from the Dunwich Horror? The investigators surveying the aftermath of the trail of destruction? My own feeling is that Arnold, or somebody involved with the creation of his films, was into Lovecraft. Creature From The Black Lagoon appears to be inspired by The Deep Ones. At least to me.
All in all, highly recommended example of a fifties monster flick.