MovieChat Forums > Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) Discussion > Was that Carlson and Denning underwater?

Was that Carlson and Denning underwater?

posted 12 years ago by nycruise-1
3 replies | jump to latest

It takes a lot of coordination to get around underwater with scuba gear and a camera - and if you're new to it the results aren't always smooth-sailing.

Watching the two characters that Carlson and Denning play, I couldn't help but wonder if two other actors/professional divers were portraying them, since they swam around so easily while wearing all that equipment. The diving masks are great for obscuring faces.

I tried to see if the hair on their heads matched the stars' hair, but I couldn't determine either way if it was or was not them.

Then I tried comparing bodies and even body hair, but that was difficult too.

Anybody know?

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] jdown-1 12 years ago

According to the film's narrator, all the underwater scenes were shot in Wakulla Springs, FL using stunt doubles, i. e., experienced divers. One had light hair and used a single air tank (Denning) and the other had dark hair and had 2 tanks (Carlson).

[–] essex9999 11 years ago

They matched head hair but not chest hair. Both Carlson and Denning were hairier than their stunt doubles. Carlson being blond, it might be harder to tell, but it was obvious on the dark-haired one.

And, oh yeah, as the other post says, the DVD commentary clarifies that they were doubles. Carlson does a nice job popping out of the water and climbing onto the boat in one scene, though, and Denning is obviously athletic, so they were both in good shape - just not trained divers.

[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

The stunt divers obviously got plenty of work then in this movie.

I was also surprised the creature actors were uncredited, as they got quite a lot of screen time too.🐭