Creature from the Black Lagoon is still going strong 50 years after it was made. This classic Universal creature feature hits all the standard plot points of a "beauty and the beast" tale, and the monster may seem more funny than frightening to us now. But there's still enough creepiness present to make it well worth watching.

You Always Hurt the One You Love

A team of scientists is making its way up the Amazon when they disturb a centuries-old amphibian/reptile/humanoid creature. The monster promptly falls in love with the blonde and leggy Kay, but they come from cultures too different for the relationship to work. The Gill-Man becomes distraught, and havoc ensues.

It sounds corny, and it is, but it's still effective. Originally shot in 3-D, the movie was one of the first to make use of underwater photography, and those scenes have an eerie beauty. Modern audiences accustomed to high-tech monsters like the Alien and the Predator may think a man in a rubber fish suit won't scare them. Don't bet on it.

The film is in remarkably good condition, considering its age, and the DVD has received excellent reviews for the care taken. The black and white cinematography is crisp and lush at the same time, and the sound is better than might be expected. Extras include an 80-minute commentary, a 40-minute documentary, plus production photos and the theatrical trailer.