Our good friend the Internet informs us that it was 70 years ago today that Creature from the Black Lagoon premiered in Detroit (and Colorado?) before embarking upon a regional release in March. So here is your bonus post that will get us to 54 this year alongside our weekly entries!
In the early '70s, a company named Penn Plax seemingly cornered the market on Action-Aerating Aquarium ornaments — you've surely seen treasure chests or giant clamshells in a fish tank that open and close as air pumps through them, or a pirate skeleton run through with a sword, and quite possibly a familiar looking (if unlicensed) sea Creature (clearly inspired by Aurora's classic model kit). I seem to recall having one, though I also recall always wanting one whenever I encountered one in a pet shop — even when we didn't have an operating fish tank in the house.
While Penn Plax is still around, they know longer offer their 'Action-Aerating Monster,' but over the years other companies have done their part to keep these bootleg Aquarium Creatures on the market.
The current example I have is from Veny's (called a Sea Treasure; perhaps a typo for Sea Creature?), and I won't lie, it's a rather cheaply made reporduction, but it ticks the appropriate nostalgia box. I don't know if I'd put it in a tank with any fish I had a particular fondness for, but as a display item it suits me fine!
Come back Friday for our regularly scheduled weekly Creature collectible!
