Gill Man from the Amazon Invades the Presidio! Creature from the Black Lagoon to Screen at Sixth Annual Film in the Fog

Free Outdoor Screening of 1954 Sci-Fi Classic on Saturday, September 29

July 26, 2007

The Presidio of San Francisco, CA - The San Francisco Film Society and the Presidio Trust kick off their fall calendars with the sixth annual Film in the Fog at 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 29, on the lawn of the Main Post Theatre, 99 Moraga Avenue at Montgomery Street in the Presidio. The free, family-friendly picnic, concert and film screening will feature the seminal ’50s monster movie Creature from the Black Lagoon, a vintage newsreel, a classic cartoon, a live band and free popcorn.

Creature from the Black Lagoon, directed by Jack Arnold, features luminous underwater photography scenes, a lush jungle atmosphere and the infamous amphibious monster. The cast features several regulars of ’50s B-movies including Julia Adams, Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, Nestor Paiva and Whit Bissell. The adventure begins when a scientist in the Brazilian Amazon discovers the fossil of a gigantic hand and spearheads an expedition to investigate further. Upon arrival at the titular body of water, the group discovers the murderous gill man, who kills a number of the scientists and takes a romantic interest in a young female member of the party. Subtexts of environmentalism and the moral quandaries of scientific pursuit add intellectual weight to the feature. Director Jack Arnold’s varied career included science fiction (It Came from Outer Space), horror (Tarantula) and comedy (The Mouse That Roared). He was a guest at the 1959 San Francisco International Film Festival. This classic has been referenced in many other films, including Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. The film program will begin at 7:00 pm with a vintage newsreel featuring the Presidio and a cartoon gem.

“It is our great pleasure to work once again with the Presidio Trust and present Film in the Fog for the sixth year,” said Rod Armstrong, SFFS programming associate.  “This all-ages event is a highlight of the late summer season and the Film Society plans on having some extra staff on hand in case some murderous amphibians start crawling out of the Bay in order to attend."

The spacious lawn of the Main Post Theatre has plenty of room for low lawn chairs and blankets, and the public is encouraged to arrive early to select a prime picnic spot. The SuperSonic Saxes from the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast will play American music standards beginning at 5:00 pm. Also at 5:00 pm the historic Main Post Theatre will open for self-guided tours. Food and beverages from Dish Café and Acre Café will be available for purchase.

For additional information go to www.sffs.org or www.presidio.gov or call 415.561.5500.

The San Francisco Film Society, presenter of the 51st San Francisco International Film Festival (April 24–May 8, 2008), is a nonprofit arts and educational organization dedicated to celebrating film and the moving image.