Despite it being one of my favorite monster movies of all time, I knew very little about the production of The Creature from the Black Lagoon before reading this book.
Finding out that the Creature (or Gill Man or whatever you call it), was designed by a woman felt like such a progressive move for a film made in the 1950s.
Hollywood has always had a reputation for being quite misogynistic, but finding out what Patrick went through during and after creating such a memorable monster is nothing short of heartbreaking.
O’Meara’s book feels quite timely with the Harvey Weinstein harassment cases and #MeToo movement still at the forefront of people’s minds.
Although ‘Lagoon’ does make up a large chunk of this book we also go on a fact-finding mission with O’Meara who uncovers things people never knew about this lady and her work.
The fact she also, briefly worked for Disney on the classic Fantasia is also another fascinating anecdote that O’Meara finds out as much as she can about.
The tone does slide occasionally towards a ‘slangy’ writing style and sometimes digs at men as a whole feel slightly forced, but what is clear is O’Meara’s passion for this project and Milicent’s story.
For fans of the golden age of monster movies, this book is an essential read and has inspired me to find out more about the production of one of Universal’s most iconic monsters.
The Lady from the Black Lagoon is now available on Amazon.
Bloody Flicks 
One of my favorite creatures. I’ll definitely have to check out the book.
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