Creature From the Black Lagoon and Jaws similarities

Well, yes there are certainly similarities in the scene you mentioned. I never thought of comparing it to Jaws however.

I think it is the nature of a lurking beast gazing on and sizing up an unsuspecting victim that creates this type of scene. I'm sure one could find many similar scenes in the movies that do the same, especially if you include a human bad guy doing this to an unsuspecting victim. This is an excellent cinematic device to create tension and fear. It has been used a lot but seems to work every time.

Was Spielberg influenced by the Gill Man in the Creature from the Black Lagoon?
Maybe, maybe not. We are all in large part the sum of our experiences.

BTW, Your list of favorite films, directors, and actors is impressive for such a young age. You have been watching and thinking about some of the best. Keep on watching and enjoying.

Strange you should compare these two films. I just thought about it the other day as to how they both affected me the same way in real life. When I used to go fishing in Black Bayou and Caddo lake I used to be terrified the creature would reach up and grab me when I had to reach in or over the water. Every time I looked down into the murky water I would imagine the gil-man looking back up at me. When my dad was stationed in Schofield barracks in Hawaii, I never could totally enjoy the beach because of seeing Jaws there as a kid. No other horror movies ever affected me like those two.

I was surprised by how similar that one musical theme was to the Jaws theme. I can't help but wonder whether or not it's a coincidence.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this and Jaws to have a similar feel to them. Both are among the best monster movies ever made.

Yes I have noticed this as well. Specifically the scene where the beast is caught in the net. Compare this to when the shark demos the cage. Block and tackles are featured and wooden supports are seen being damaged. Both the creature and the shark escape and both crews are left to haul in their damaged underwater equipment.

Very similar scenes.

Both great movies.

Good eye, OP.

Kinda funny you say that, I'm 40yrs old and have watched both films quite a few times over the years yet in all that time I never really thought of that until I just watched the Creature 2 days ago, I was saying the exact same thing then I come on this board and you said it too. Yes, I definitely agree they both accomplish a similar effect.

i was thinking the exact same thing as to your first note





so many movies, so little time

I don't see many similarities between Creature and Jaws aside from the monster from the deep aspects. Just watched it earlier and what it reminded me of most was the TV show Sea Hunt, with all the scuba diving and underwater photography. As it was a big hit it may well have inspired Ivan Tors & Company to make the Sea Hunt series.