MovieChat Forums > Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) Discussion > Telephone Poles in the Amazon

Telephone Poles in the Amazon

posted 15 years ago by petervenkman57
2 replies | jump to latest

I love this movie. It really is one of the best monster movies of all-time. Even so, I have to chuckle when the Rita goes by, trying to get through the rocks to get into the Black Lagoon, we see a telephone pole as clear as day. Do you think those telelphone company guys had a run with the Gill-Man? Another chuckle is when the Rita is trying to get out and is blocked by the log, we see the side of a Sound Stage in the background. One other thing is; What's up with the painted backings in the underwater grotto? One of them looks like there a bunch of columns let over from some Greek temple. Did I miss something in the plot?

Regarding all of the above. I actually don't care... it just a great movie. I do think that James C. Haven needs to get more credit for this film though. He directed the underwater sequences... GREAT STUFF!!1

[–] thegalaxybeing 11 years ago

Actually, CFTBL was filmed full frame with the intent of being matted to 1:85 in theaters Which meant that the telephone pole (Or at least it's top) wouldn't be visible when seen in theaters. The film was left unmatted for TV (and early DVD's) so the pole was in view.

The new releases shown @ 1:85 mostly mask the pole. Actually, you can see a bit of the pole but not the cross piece therefore it looks more natural in the shot.

[–] CGlMDB 10 years ago

The reasons for those examples are in the trivia/goofs section