ACMI screens monster mash classic Creature from the Black Lagoon in stunning 3D

ACMI screens monster mash classic Creature from the Black Lagoon in stunning 3D

Over 65-years-ago Jack Arnold's seminal monster love story Creature from the Black Lagoon swam into theatres on the crest of the first wave of 3D film. Now, with a restored 3D version, ACMI will screen the classic film in all its cinematic glory, giving the Universal monster renewed life in a stunning format from 12-15 May 2022.

Creature from the Black Lagoon refuses to leave the pop culture zeitgeist, the passage of time only giving the film new layers of meaning and cementing its position as a classic alongside other icons of the genre: Frankenstein’s Monster; Dracula; and The Wolf Man.

ACMI Head of Cinemas, Ghita Loebenstein, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be presenting Creature from the Black Lagoon in our cinemas. This iconic creature-feature holds such an important place in the legacy of genre cinema and we’re screening it to Melbourne audiences in the best possible way: in the dark, with a crowd and in 3D – we’re turning ACMI into a grindhouse for a moment in May.”

Best-selling author and screenwriter Maria Lewis, whose novel It Came From The Deep was inspired by Creature from the Black Lagoon, interviewed Mallory O’Meara, the ground-breaking author of The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick, as part of the program. "Monster movies have always been a vessel for filmmakers to talk about the issues that matter to them, and Creature from the Black Lagoon is no exception as one of Hollywood's classic creature features. Its framing of 'the other' at the centre of the narrative has continued to captivate audiences for nearly 70 years. From inspiring the work of Guillermo del Toro to the creature designs of Millicent Patrick becoming iconic, it's testament to the film's lasting legacy," says Lewis. The exclusive in-conversation will be sent to ticketholders after the screening.

ACMI is delighted to welcome audiences into their cinema screens for a film that has truly stood the test of time with Creature from the Black Lagoon in magnificent 3D! A one-off 2D screening will also be presented as part of the season.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Images are available to download here.

Creature from the Black Lagoon screens in a restored 3D version from 12-15 May. A restored 2D version of the film also screens 7pm Sat 14 May. All ticket-holders will be sent the exclusive in-conversation with Mallory O’Meara, author of The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick. Tickets can be purchased at acmi.net.au.

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON SYNOPSIS

Following the discovery of an unusual fossil on the banks of the Amazon, a team of scientists journey down a remote section of the river in search of answers. What they find is a prehistoric aquatic humanoid – the Gill Man – who once his habitat is disturbed, is torn between bloodthirsty vengeance on the scientists (played by Richards Carlson and Denning) and his fascination with the beautiful Kay (Julie Adams).

ABOUT MALLORY O’MEARA

Mallory O’Meara was thrilled to discover that one of her favourite movies, Creature from the Black Lagoon, featured a monster designed by a woman, Milicent Patrick. But after doing some investigations, she discovered that Patrick’s contribution had been claimed by a jealous male colleague, her career had been cut short and she soon after had disappeared from film history. O’Meara set out to right the wrong, and in the process discovered the full, fascinating story of an ambitious woman ahead of her time. A true-life detective story and a celebration of a forgotten feminist trailblazer, Mallory O’Meara’s The Lady from the Black Lagoon establishes Patrick in her rightful place in film history.

ABOUT MARIA LEWIS

Maria Lewis is a best-selling author and screenwriter. The third novel in her internationally published series, It Came From The Deep, was inspired by Creature from the Black Lagoon. Her writing on cult and genre cinema has appeared in publications such as The Guardian, New York Post, Empire Magazine, Sydney Morning Herald, Penthouse, i09, Junkee, The Daily, Sunday Telegraph and many others. She’s the presenter, producer, writer and researcher of the audio documentary Josie and the Podcats about the 2001 cult film.

ABOUT ACMI

ACMI is Australia’s national museum of screen culture. The museum reopened in February 2021 after a two-year, $40 million redevelopment – an architectural, programmatic and technological transformation. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art with us. ACMI celebrates the wonder and power of the world’s most democratic artform – fostering the next generation of makers, players and watchers. ACMI’s vibrant calendar of exhibitions, screenings, commissions, festivals, and industry and education programs explore the stories, technologies and artists that create our shared screen culture. More at acmi.net.au