Just because it's fun, here's a little gossip you might enjoy. What brings it to mind is the previous post, about Spooky House hosting the Necrocomicon horror convetion, which includes a 50th anniversary celebration of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, with actor Ben Chapman in attendance.

As most horror geeks know, the role of the Creature was divided up in between two different men. Chapman played the part on land; Ricou Browning took over underwater (a professional swimmer, he could hold his breath a long time, making it easier to create the illusion that the Gill-Man could breath like a fish).

Over the years, Browning has autographed numerous photographs from the film. About ten years ago, a little flier started circulating at conventions and popping up in e-mails. The gist of the text was that, if you had one of these Creature photographs autographed by Browning, it was worthless because, allegedly, none of the publicity shots from the film were of Browning;all were of Chapman.

I don't know whether this is true or not, but it makes sense. The posed publicity shots would likely have been done in Hollywood, where Chapman's scenes were filmed; Browning's footage was shot on location in Florida. Still, something about the idea of questioning the legitimacy of one actor's claim to a role in which neither actor's face is visible -- well, it tickles the funny bone, doesn't it? Or to put it more bluntly: Who really cares? If by chance your one of the few who does, Necrocomicon offers a chance to get a "legitimate" autographed photo of the Creature, signed by the man who was actually wearing the suit when the picture was taken.

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Spooky House Hosts Necrocomicon Convention, including 50th Anniversary Tribute to "Creature from the Black Lagoon."