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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Jack Arnold
funkyfry — 20 years ago(January 04, 2006 04:09 PM)
I can't believe I'm the first person to post a message on the "Jack Arnold IMDB Message Board". Let's get the ball rolling people, Jack Arnold was probably the most important sci-fi director of the 1950s and without him it's pretty hard to imagine how Spielberg and Lucas and people like that could have existed.
First of all, let's talk about the films. Most importantly, "The Incredible Shrinking Man" from Richard Matheson's script, perhaps the best science fiction film of the 1950s. Then of course the classic "Creature from the Black Lagoon". And then we should talk about his classic comedies, especially "The Mouse that Roared". We could even talk about his bizarre 70s films such as "Boss Ni**er", the first "blaxploitation" Western.
One thing that's striking about Arnold's films and connects them is the theme of the tormented hero and the way he deals with it in all his films. We can see the metaphor most clearly in "Shrinking Man". The hero is slowly robbed of his dignity and self-respect as he literally shrinks. This is dealt with in a literal/symbolic way in the film in scenes showing the hero living in a kid's dollhouse and being threatened mortally by his former pet. Arnold's theme here seems to be an existential one: when man's power over the universe fades, how can a man maintain his own sense of self-worth in the face of this crisis?
Most directors do tend to focus on a particular type of hero. For instance George Lucas' heroes tend to be naive idealists who must pass through a period of self-doubt when confronted with ugly "reality" but end up moving forward thanks to the power of friendship. The distinctive element in Arnold's heroes is that they not only face opposition and/or antagonism from the outside world, but they also typically lose some measure of their self-respect or dignity and he seems to be fascinated with exploring the ways that characters deal with that loss of dignity. Not only is this rather explicit in "Shrinking Man", but we see it also in the "Creature" films, particularly the second film where the Creature is forced into captivity in America. The structure of the first 2 Creature films are modeled pretty clearly on the classic film "King Kong" the conflict in the first is the encroachment of civilization into the wilderness and the second story deals with the disasterous effects of bringing the wild element back to civilization. In telling the story this way, Arnold is clearly as interested in the dignity of the Creature just as the creators of "Kong" were very concerned with his dignity. It creates a great amount of "pathos" to be sure, but Arnold is not just interested in creating audience sympathy for his characters, but also in exploring the complex relationships between environment, personality, and self-worth or dignity. Even his comedies show this. for example in "Bachelor in Paradise" Arnold uses the plight of his bachelor in a suburban "paradise" not just as a "fish out of water" story but as a comment on exactly how the fish got in the water in the first place, and whether he really belonged there at all. Bob Hope's character is not a victim, any more than the "Creature" is really a victim he simply cannot survive in this environment, and his presence causes both a change in the environment itself (housewives begin to see themselves as exotic courtiers) but also in the character himself.
Everywhere in Arnold's work we see these themes, characters who were once powerful being placed in situations where they are undone by their own former strengths, or at least where their former strengths do them no good. This theme is exploited for audience sympathy and also used for comedy, but Arnold also seems to be interested in the theme from a philosophical standpoint. The scientists who create a "Tarantula" that destroys them. The "Space Children" so far from their own world, so advanced in technology that ironically only the children of earth can understand them. Even Gilligan and the other "castaways", particularly Jim Backus' millionaire whose attempts to maintain his power and position even on a deserted island are the source of constant humor. The "Creature", hunted by "civilized" human invaders for his actions against them.as if it was he and not they who were tresspassing.
I'd appreciate feedback and more ideas from anyone interested in Jack Arnold's trailblazing work.
Did I not love him, Cooch? MY OWN FLESH I DIDN'T LOVE BETTER!!! But he had to say 'Nooooooooo' -
Woodyanders — 18 years ago(August 27, 2007 07:31 AM)
I'm a massive fan of Jack Arnold's often excellent work in the science fiction genre as well. He was a truly great director who made a lot of first-rate movies that deserve their current classic status. "The Creature from the Black Laggon," "Tarantula," "Monster on the Campus," and especially "The Incredible Shrinking Man" are my all-time favorite Jack Arnold films. I also really enjoyed the Fred Williamson private eye outing "Black Eye." Rest in peace Jack Arnold and thank you for all the terrific entertainment you expertly provided throughout the years.
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richard-III — 16 years ago(October 13, 2009 11:24 AM)
'The incredible shrinking man' and 'Tarantula!' are my very favorite Jack Arnold films.
Guilty pleasure of mine is 'Monster from the campus', an awesome film!
I'm also fond of 'It came from outer space', 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' triple (although the last one wasn't directed, only produced by Arnold), and the wonderful Sci-Fi comedy with Peter Sellers, 'The mouse that roared'.
Besides that, Arnold also wrote the fine Sci-Fi 'The monolith monsters'.
"When there is no more room in the Oven,
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Countorloc — 13 years ago(September 02, 2012 04:38 AM)
Sadly Arnold is only rarely brought up when it comes to smart talented genre-film auteurs.His best works are entertaining films with philosophic subtleties and it indeed is rare to see intelligence and entertainment blend together so seamlessly.
Who's the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks?
Shaft!