VOICE Journal of the Alex Film Society Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007, 2 pm & 8 pm

10/07 of theTHEATRE Creature From The Black Lagoon in offset from each other while running in perfect 3-D! synchronization. When viewed in such a way that each eye sees its photographed counterpart, the viewer’s visual cortex will interpret the pair of images as a single three-dimensional image.

Stereoscopic motion pictures began as early as 1890 when British film pioneer William Friese-Greene patented his own 3-D process. 3-D feature films were introduced to the public in 1922 when The Power of Love opened in Los Angeles. These early attempts required the viewer to see the film through anaglyphic glasses: one red lens and one green lens. The two separate original photographic images were printed By Ron Bonk over each other onto one piece of film for this format.

the early 1950’s TV sets were taking over American living rooms and former movie Continued on Page 7 In patrons marveled at entertainment right in their own homes. Movie ticket sales steadily declined and studios created gimmicks to lure patrons back to their movie palaces. Twentieth Century Fox introduced CinemaScope™ providing filmgoers with a wide screen picture accompanied by four track stereophonic sound. Paramount developed VistaVision™, which provided theatres with an even bigger, brighter, and clearer projected image. In 1952 This is Cinerama debuted in Cinerama, an even wider screen image created by simultaneously projecting three separate strips of film in sync and side by side in an attempt to fill ones entire peripheral vision. Arguably, the shortest-lived gimmick of the time was 3-D or “3 Dimensional” projection which created an illusion of depth for the viewer. Wearing red/green glasses, patrons enjoy a The 3-D technique involved filming two images 3-D presentation in the 1950’s simultaneously from two separate cameras slightly (image courtesy of Corbis.com)

Creature From the Black Lagoon...... 1 Perspective: The Players...... 5 Bathing Beauties...... 2 Photo Gallery...... 6 Evolution of the Gill Man...... 3 Short Subjects...... 7 Feature credits...... 4 Calendar...... 8 Halloween Spooktacular! Bathing Beauties Rob Zabrecky By Linda Harris

For a generation of American males In 1921, Jantzen Apparel of Creature From The Black Lagoon Portland, Oregon launched the first brings to mind one thing… ”That one-piece, elastic suit that was hit at White Bathing Suit”. Here’s some the Bathing Beauty Pageant held in context. As far back as 1907, the Atlantic City. Because of the figure agician Rob Zabrecky has swimmer Annette Kellerman from hugging nature of these garments, had a longtime obsession Australia, visited the United States as bathing suits and the movies seemed Mwith vintage horror an “underwater ballerina”, a version to be a perfect couple. films and the vaudeville era; two of synchronized swimming. She inspirations which have served him was arrested for indecent exposure Silent film icon Mack Sennett well. His live performances feature because her swimsuit showed arms, created his “Bathing Beauties” and an original charm, melding his love legs and the neck. inserted them in dozens of one of silent film and vintage horror reelers. Gloria Swanson got her films with magic. His performance After this event, bathing wear started start with Sennett’s chorus. Later, credits have included stints at L.A. to shrink, first uncovering the arms Esther Williams and Dorothy Lamour landmarks such as The Orpheum and then the legs up to mid-thigh. starred in films with synchronized Theatre, The Silent Movie Theatre Collars receded from around the swimming and figure hugging and the renowned Magic Castle neck down to around the top of the costumes (with “bra cups” for that in Hollywood where he regularly bosom. The development of new ultimate lift) revealing every body performs. Magic Magazine fabrics allowed for new varieties contour. recently raved, “Zabrecky’s of more comfortable and practical magic could easily be the plot swimwear. During World War II, the Swoon line of a Stephen King novel, suit made its debut. Made from if Steven King wrote comedy.” parachute silk, Betty Grable’s suit His inimitable and original work in her famous pin-up was a Swoon results in a provocative Dada- suit. We suspect G.I.s really didn’t esque combination of theatre, care what that suit was made of. mentalism and off-beat humor. In his eyes, performance is about Jayne Mansfield, the archetypical setting the stage for unexpected va-va-voom girl, explained in 1952 and quite frankly, weird things that for a woman to look right in a to happen. Most recently, he swimsuit she needs “a flat tummy, a can be seen in several episodes firm bosom and a nice derriere. Then you’re in business.” of the popular MTV magic/ horror show, “Room 401”.

Julie rings in 1954 www.AlexFilmSociety.org –  – Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007 Evolution of THE GILL MAN he Creature was the brainchild underwater scenes in all three films.) of producer William Alland, Tom Hennesy took over in Revenge Twho began in radio with Orson Of The Creature (1955) and Don Welles and became, in the 1950’s, Megowan was The Creature Walks a Universal producer of sc-fi and Among Us (1956). But unlike Karloff, program westerns. Recalling a story Lugosi and Chaney, who became he was told by a South American household names for playing the movie director of prehistoric classic monsters of the 1930’s and beings living somewhere along the 1940’s, the actors who played the Amazon River, Alland came up with Creature went uncredited. Universal the idea of a creature, half-man International would have us believe Ben Chapman and Julie share and half-fish. His creature was a a moment on the boat. that there really was a “Gill Man.” missing link in the evolutionary chain that had survived unchanged costume they made for test shooting How short was the 3-D craze? by time. Alland chose Jack Arnold, was rejected in favor of the one When Revenge Of The Creature everyone agreed was perfect.

Next, they needed a script and to find an actor to wear the Creature outfit. Maurice Zimm turned in a 59 page treatment, which was fine- tuned by scriptwriters Arthur Ross and Harry Essex. Glenn Strange, who had portrayed the Frankenstein Monster in the last few Universal horror sequels, was the studio’s first choice to play the title role; he turned it down because he thought there would be too much swimming involved. Ben Chapman was told about the part and ended up signing a contract to play the Gill Man. He would play the Creature in all the scenes filmed above water. Ricou Browning has hired to do the stunt Don Megowan in The Creature who had just completed the 3-D work underwater (and in fact did the Walks Among Us (1956). movie It Came From Outer Space (1953) to direct. Jack Arnold’s idea of what the creature might was released in early 1955, Daily look like was the Oscar® given to Variety noted that it was the first Academy Award® winners with 3-D release in a year and wondered gills and fins added to it. Arnold why the producers didn’t make more met with Bud Westmore, the man in use of the effect for the underwater charge of Universal International’s sequences. By the time the third makeup department, and asked him entry in the cycle The Creature to create a convincing Gill Man Walks Among Us was released in outfit. Westmore turned to his co- 1956 they had abandoned 3-D workers, and it took the talents of completely and it went out in a flat Jack Kevan, Chris Mueller, Milicent Champion swimmer version. Patrick and Bob Hickman to come Ricou Browning handled the underwater stunt work. up with the final design. The first Continued on Page 7

Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE Jack Arnold’s Creature from the Black Lagoon Black and White (in anaglyphic 3-D) 1954 – 79 minutes Cast Universal International Pictures Richard Carlson...... David Reed Print courtesy of Universal Pictures Julia Adams...... Kay Lawrence Richard Denning...... Mark Williams Antonio Moreno...... Carl Maia Directed by...... Jack Arnold Nestor Paiva...... Lucas Story by ...... Maurice Zimm Whit Bissell...... Dr. Thompson Screenplay by...... Harry Essex, Arthur A. Ross Bernie Gozier...... Zee Produced by...... William Alland Henry Escalante...... Chico Cinematographer...... William E. Snyder Ricou Browning...... The Gill Man (in water)* Special Photography...... Charles S. Welbourne Ben Chapman...... The Gill Man (on land)* Director: (Underwater Seq)...... James C. Havens Editor...... Ted J. Kent Perry Lopez...... Tomas* Assistant Director...... Fred Frank Sydney Mason...... Dr. Matos* Original Music...... Henry Mancini*, Rodd Redwing...... Louis (foreman)* Hans J. Salter*, Herman Stein* Miss Adams’ double...... Polly Burson* Musical Director...... Joseph Gershenson Underwater Stunts...... Ginger Stanley* Composer (Stock Music)...... Robert Emmett Dolan*, Fire Stunts...... Al Wyatt Sr.* Milton Rosen*

Art Directors...... Hilyard Brown, Bernard Herzbrun Set Decorators...... Russell A. Gausman, Ray Jeffers

Creature Designer...... Milicent Patrick*

Make Up By...... Bud Westmore Additional Make Up...... Robert Hickman*, Jack Kevan* Chris Mueller* Hair Stylist...... Joan St. Oegger

Wardrobe: Miss Adams...... Rosemary Odell Sound...... Leslie I. Carey, Joe Lapis

Richard Denning, Julie Adams, Antonio Moreno, Richard Carlson, Whit Bissell and Nestor Paiva * Uncredited credits from find photographic evidence of the Creature. Internet Movie Database: IMDB.com www.AlexFilmSociety.org –  – Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007 PERSPECTIVE: The Players By Randy Carter

Richard Denning (Dr. Mark Williams) Solomon’s Mines (1950), one of the first Antonio Moreno (Dr. Carl Maia) really started at postwar features filmed extensively on deserves Paramount location in Africa. He was featured as his star in 1937 Herbert Philbrick in the early syndicated on the playing television hit “I Led Three Lives” (1953- Hollywood best 56), based on the best selling book Walk of friends and of the same title. Carlson portrayed Fame good guys. a pipe-smoking Boston advertising (6651 He would agent who goes underground to Hollywood portray infiltrate the local Communist Party. Blvd.). His George Produced at the height of the Red first screen Cooper, the Scare it proved wildly successful and credit was husband of ran well in to the 1960’s. Carlson was in 1912 Denning and Barbara Britton Lucille Ball, a regular on Frank Capra’s educational Antonio Moreno and he in “Mr. & Mrs. North”. on CBS science films of the 50’s (Hemo the was still Britton also starred in Bwana Radio’s Magnificent) and became a director working in 1956 for John Ford in The Devil, the 1952 film that “My with feature and television credits. Searchers. During the silent era he was launched the 3-D craze. Favorite a hard working Latin lover who starred Husband” Julie (Julia) Adams (Kay) hit the with every single marquee actress of (1948-1951). The series was such a ground the era. He romanced Gloria Swanson success that CBS executives offered running in The American Wife (1922), Pola Negri Ball a TV deal with Denning, but she and has in The Spanish Dancer (1923), Greta refused, insisting on husband Desi never Garbo in The Temptress (1926) and Arnaz as her TV husband. Denning stopped. Clara Bow in It (1927). Other female starred in his own TV series “Mr. and She stars who fell for his charms include: Mrs. North” (1952-54) also based appeared Bebe Daniels, Billie Dove, Renee on a long running radio program. He in The Adoree, Estelle Taylor, Coleen Moore, married Universal starlet Evelyn Ankers Dalton Dorothy Gish, Marion Davies, Constance known as “Queen of the Screamers” Gang Talmadge (and for good measure her and retired to Hawaii in the mid ‘60’s (1949), a sister Norma Talmadge) and Mary were he portrayed the Governor in the low budget Miles Minter in Trail of the Lonesome long running CBS series HAWAII 5-0. Western Pine (1923). This is just a partial list Julie Adams portrayed for Lippert and although many of these names Richard Carlson (Dr. David Reed) has a Paula Denning on CBS long Pictures. have long since faded from memory, running soap, Capitol. star on the She did please note that Norma Talmadge was Hollywood six more making $10,000 per week in 1923. Walk of westerns for Lippert before being Fame signed by Universal Studios where (6333 the publicity department claimed Hollywood that her legs won an award as “the Blvd.) and most perfectly symmetrical in the starred in world” and that they were insured for It Came $125,000 dollars. In 1960 she married From Outer Ray Danton, (of 1961’s The Rise and Space Fall of Legs Diamond fame), and has (1953) guest starred on every TV series from Carlson romps with Hedy another “The Man From U.N.C.L.E” to the recent Lamarr in M-G-M’s 3-D classic ABC series “Lost”. Adams is quoted as White Cargo (1942). from saying: “No matter what you do, you Universal can act your heart out, but people Pictures. He was featured in M-G-M’s will always say… “Oh, Julie Adams blockbuster African adventure King - Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE Photo Gallery

www.AlexFilmSociety.org –  – Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007 3-D Cont’d from page 1

In the 1930’s Edwin H. Land presented Howard Keel and Kathryn films were shot in the 3-D process refined the 3-D technique when Grayson in its only 3-D musical but when the novelty was over they he introduced his Polaroid filters. Kiss Me Kate (1953). Columbia were distributed as standard “flat” This new process required the got The Three Stooges into the act releases. There have been several original separate photographic in 1953 with their short subjects attempts to revive the format since, images, commonly referred to as Spooks! and Pardon My Backfire. such as Jaws 3-D in 1983, but, like the right and left eye, be projected Even Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny hula-hoops and coonskin caps, this from two separate film projectors had the opportunities to star in 3-D fad of the fifties eventually faded in perfect synchronization. This animated cartoons. And the low- away. type of projection also required a budget sci-fi film Robot Monster special silver screen to properly (1953) proved that a film didn’t need reflect the projected images. Rather a huge budget to be shot in 3-D. The GILL MAN, cont’d from 3 than the previous red and green film was produced on a shoestring lenses, audiences viewed the images budget in two weeks and is one of Producer Alland was on board for all through Polarized lenses which were the fad’s most memorable titles. three films and Jack Arnold again usually light gray in color. helmed the follow up Revenge Of In its heyday from 1952 to 1955, The Creature before giving long time there were forty one 3-D features Universal Assistant Director John released by Hollywood’s eight major Sherwood a directing assignment for studios. Columbia was the leader The Creature Walks Among Us. of the format distributing a total John Agar and Lori Nelson were of nine films. Universal, Warner top billed in the second film Brothers and RKO each ranked with Universal contract player second releasing six 3-D titles Clint Eastwood on board as a lab apiece. Paramount and United Artists technician. Jeff Morrow and Rex each produced five 3-D films while Reason were the principles by the Fox and M-G-M each distributed time the final installment walked two. At the time numerous other into the sunset. With the release of Arch Oboler’s Bwana Devil on November 26, 1952, the 3-D gimmick really caught Including Short Subjects fire. The film’s tag line promised “A lion in your lap!” and “A lady Phantom of the Horse Opera in your arms!” and audiences were enthusiastic with the results. The Woody Woodpecker Cartoon, Technicolor – 1961 – 6 minutes next year Vincent Price starred in Print courtesy of Universal Studios House of Wax (which many consider to be the best photographed 3-D Produced by...... Walter Lantz feature of all time.) The film was Directed by...... Paul J. Smith such a commercial hit that in 1954 Price was cast in two more 3-D Story by...... Dalton Sandifer productions, The Mad Magician and Animation by...... Les Kline, Ray Abrams Dangerous Mission, earning him the Sets by...... Ray Huffine, Art Landy nickname “The King of 3-D.” Voices...... Dal McKennon, Grace Stafford (Woody) Music...... Clarence Wheeler The 3-D fad was such a craze that Prod. Manager...... William E. Garity it seems everyone wanted to take a turn at it. Grace Kelly effectively Woody pursues a bank robber into a ghost town where the bandit defended herself with a pair of tries to frighten him off by posing as a ghost. scissors in Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial ‘M’ For Murder (1954). M-G-M Research on short subjects courtesy of the Cine-Loa Archives.

Vol. 13, No. 5 October 27, 2007 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE www.AlexFilmSociety.org Society News Tickets: 818.243.2539 Vaudeville returns to the Alex Stage Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 2 pm & 8 pm Once again an 10TH ANNUAL enthusiastic audience THREE STOOGES® enjoyed an evening BIG SCREEN EVENT! of live music, comedy Stooges fans of all ages make our popular “Stooge- and wonder capped Fest” part of their Thanksgiving tradition. We screen off by the on-screen pristine 35mm prints of classic Three Stooges® antics of Laurel and short subjects, on the Big Screen as you have never Hardy and the Three seen before. Bound to create fervor and dissension everywhere, our Blue Ribbon Panel Stooges at our 8th of Stoogeologists has met, discussed, argued, drank and disagreed in order to select our annual Vaudeville Extravaganza. definitive list of the “Best of The Best”. This years shorts include: Micro-Phonies (1945); A Plumbing We Will Go (1940); Hoi Polloi (1935) Period music performed by the Pop Goes the Easel (1935) and Punchy Cowpunchers (1950) Night Blooming Jazzmen and Lisa When the Thanksgiving Turkey is gone, the ball games boring, and adventure is in the Cassulo, the beautiful card girl, air, come to our 10th Annual Three Stooges Big Screen Event! Always something wacky! were highlights. Columbia Pictures (various)

Randy Carter, President Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 2 pm & 8 pm The most beloved Pulitzer Prize book now comes vividly alive on the screen! TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), ‘Bo’ Radley (Robert Duvall) and ® membership application Scout (Mary Badham) come to life in the Oscar winning mail with check to: Alex Film Society adaptation of this classic American novel. Universal (1962) P. O. Box 4807, Glendale, CA 91222-0807

Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 2 pm & 8 pm Biggest musical under the sun, presented in glorious Technicolor! ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Betty Hutton and Howard Keel star in the story of the great sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, who rises to fame while dealing with her love/professional rival, Frank Butler. Features some of Irving Berlin’s greatest songs including “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better”. M-G-M (1950)

Voice of the Theatre Published by and for members of the Alex Film Society P. O. Box 4807 • Glendale, CA 91222 • 818.754.8250 [email protected] $3 (mailed free with membership) editor randy carter design/layout brian ellis distribution andrea humberger printer alco printing, glendale ©2007 AFS, all rights reserved