The Wakulla News (FL)
November 7, 2002

The Creature Returns To Black Lagoon At Springs

The "Creature" is coming home to the black lagoon for a reunion with his lady love of nearly 50 years.

Ben Chapman, Gill-Man from the classic film, is the featured guest of Creaturefest Nov. 8 through Nov. 10 at Wakulla Springs State Park. The mysterious black lagoon featured in several film productions, including the Creature and Tarzan series, is the world's largest natural spring.

Creature From the Black Lagoon, a 1954 production, will be featured along with other films of Director Jack Arnold including Revenge of the Creature, Tarantula, Monster on Campus and It Came from Outer Space. Abbott and Costello Meet the Creature, a 20-minute comedy short film, also will be shown.

The creature's "love," actress Julie Adams, has shared the screen with other leading men including Charlton Heston, Elvis Presley, John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. However, her enduring friendship with creatuyre Chapman has lured Adams out of retirement for this public reunion with the Gill-Man at the black lagoon.

Ginger Stanley, who currently resides in Orlando, creatued the now-legendary underwater ballet sequence in the original filem. As Stanley swims across the surface, her silhouette casts shadows on the creature who mimics her actions.

Festival sponsors, the Tallahassee Film Societyt and Friends of Wakulla Springs, recommend bringing a radio for FM sound and a lawn chair. Three ticket packages are available: the $50 VIP package, the $12.50 weekend pass and the $6 day pass.