Friday, July 22, 2011

"Creature from the Black Lagoon" at San Marco Branch & You Can See 'old' Jacksonville

San Marco Branch will host the movie, "Creature from the Black Lagoon", Thursday, 3:17 pm, August 11. This "horror" film was partially filmed in Jacksonville and just south of St. Augustine in 1954. It is reported that this was one of the first films made in 3D.

The scene where the sea monster snatches the lady in the restaurant was filmed on the south bank of the river in the Lobster House Restaurant. (The popular Lobster House burned in a fire in 1962 and River City Brewery sets on that site today.) Some underwater shots were made in the St. Johns River where strong currents and murky water caused production problems.

A few films have been filmed in Jacksonville since the Creature prowled in 1954; however, from 1908-1920 more than 30 silent film studios produced thousands of silent films here and Jacksonville was known as the winter film capital of the world. Then along came Hollywood and the rest is history.

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