"Creature From the Black Lagoon" (Universal Pictures, 1954). Laserdisc Album Cover
"Alright, who peed in the pool?"
He's just a man in a rubber suit but very convincing for his day. The Gill-Man is an ingenious and complicated costume created after eight-and-a-half months' research by Universal-International makeup chief Bud Westmore and his staff. And the creature who lumbered around the lot dressed in the foam-rubber suit is an ex-Marine named Ben Chapman who played the part of the Gill-Man in the 1954 film. Costume designer Milicent Patrick had to change his shape 76 times before her sketches were finally approved. It was then up to Bud Westmore and Jack Kevan to actually create the costume which had to be completely waterproof because much of the action takes place underwater. Then, too, it had to be light and flexible enough so that Chapman could move easily and with realism in his part.
"Creature From the Black Lagoon" (Universal Pictures, 1954). Laserdisc Album Cover
"Alright, who peed in the pool?"
He's just a man in a rubber suit but very convincing for his day. The Gill-Man is an ingenious and complicated costume created after eight-and-a-half months' research by Universal-International makeup chief Bud Westmore and his staff. And the creature who lumbered around the lot dressed in the foam-rubber suit is an ex-Marine named Ben Chapman who played the part of the Gill-Man in the 1954 film. Costume designer Milicent Patrick had to change his shape 76 times before her sketches were finally approved. It was then up to Bud Westmore and Jack Kevan to actually create the costume which had to be completely waterproof because much of the action takes place underwater. Then, too, it had to be light and flexible enough so that Chapman could move easily and with realism in his part.