"The Creature from the Black Lagoon"

Recently received Monogram's [ex-Aurora] "Creature from the Black Lagoon", thus completing my "to-get" list of Monster 'oldies but goodies'.

While this is one of the best-fitting of the Aurora monsters, it is also one of the toughest to finish due to the fading detail at the seam edges of the scales, and the attendant restoration work it demands (the relatively soft--or brittle (Aurora)--plastic doesn't help). There is also the question of the veracity of the likeness: I plan to rework the head; but to what extent is unclear as of this writing (NOTE: I have already removed the teeth and started reworking the lips).

The kit itself is well-done, but rather uninspiring: basically, it is the Aurora Wolf Man with gills and scales. Some six or seven years ago, Jimmy Flintstone in his Dr. Flintbone line released the "Creature Conversion Kit", and this is just the aftermarket kit to breathe some much needed life into this venerable classic.

The conversion kit is comprised of seven pieces: a replacement base; (2) replacement arms for the Gillman; and a 4-pcs kit of an unconscious bathing beauty representing Julia Adams in the role of Kay Lawrence (NOTE: This vignette was based on Universal publicity stills: the Gillman never held Kay in her bathing suit. I intend to rework Ms. Adams' costume to not only represent the scene in the movie, but introduce a greater variety of colour.).

I first experienced JF's products well over a decade ago, and while scoring high for creativity and selection, their production quality left MUCH to be desired. That was then. I will admit to a fair degree of trepidation when I ordered this kit, soon to be replaced by great trepidation as I opened the sturdy self-folding box. . . All for naught! JF's casting quality has improved dramatically! He is now using a superior grade of resin, and that has minimized many of the typical problems we used to expect from him. The only flaws are a significant mold shift on the left side of the face that exacerbates the lateral compression of the mold (since I intend to personalize the face to a hopefully better likeness of Julia Adams, this matters little); two small (emphasis on small) areas of trapped air bubbles and a somewhat unfinished surface quality. All in all, this is a solid B+ effort, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this kit with the attendant caveats.

That's about it for now. This will be one of two Creature projects on the "to-do" list for 2010 and beyond. And they might be joined by a third: there is a[n unsubstantiated] buzz that Moebius might be releasing an all new Gillman kit down the line. . .

17.05.2009

The facial reconstruction of Ms. Adams has begun! The face and the attendant features have been widened, the ears relocated, and the hair- and jawline redefined. Not quite there yet, but off to a good start. . .

PS--The right side of the face is now essentially done, with but the fine finishing remaining. The left side of the face is ~65% done. VERY pleased. . .

19.05.2009

The face is now all but done. I have begun working on the ears and tentatively reducing and redoing the hair. I'm just about at the point where I can deem this phase of the project completed, and I can put her away until I am ready to tackle the vignette in earnest. I'll try to post some images over the Holiday weekend. . .