Ben Chapman, 79, was the Creature From the Black Lagoon on land, has died.

Wayne Manor · 02-22-2008, 11:23 AM

Posted on the Universal Monsters Army site:

"THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the first horror movie (possibly the first movie of ANY kind) that I can remember seeing, at the Islander Drive-In in Key West when it first came out, sitting in the back seat of the family car by myself. It scared the HELL out of me, but it also fascinated me and initiated a lifelong interest in awesome monsters. I got to spend some time with Ben when I first met him at Monster Bash in 2000. Some friends and I had a table in the same room with him, and we helped him whenever we could over the weekend. I was delighted to find out that the big lovable monster I'd known so long was such a big lovable character inside too. A very warm, friendly, funny, GENUINE guy -- and a little outrageous too! I brought along one of those near-lifesize diecut standees of the Creature that Blockbuster used to advertise the video, and Ben displayed it behind his table all weekend. At the end of the show he inscribed and signed it for me across Blackie's midsection with a big silver marker... and he offered to add an off-color anatomical doodle if I wanted it. I wish now that I'd taken him up on it. This would be a good day to watch THE CREATURE again and revisit the magic and the majesty.

He died 12:15 AM this morning Hawaii time. He had been in the hospital for two days. He had a living will and life support was turned off yesterday. There will be a memorial service at a Catholic Church near the beach, and he will be cremated. He was 79 years old."

Ben Chapman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lXP6Qj_4-w

Katatonia · 02-22-2008, 11:41 AM

R.i.p.

Gore Lunatic · 02-22-2008, 02:21 PM

Sad news

. R. I. P.

02-22-2008, 05:14 PM

damn, my favourite of the monsters. RIP.

X-human · 02-22-2008, 05:21 PM

Sad news, as he was one of the last great links to the golden age. He was a great and very generous man. His absence will truly be missed in the classic horror community.

DrHerbertWest · 02-22-2008, 05:33 PM

RIP to a legend.

MorallySound · 02-22-2008, 07:47 PM

Rest in peace.

wago70 · 02-22-2008, 09:29 PM

I'm sorry to hear! I was lucky to see him last year when he and the lead actress were both interviewed on stage here in S.F. for a CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON 3-D showing. A good sized crowd was there.
R.I.P.

Erick H. · 02-23-2008, 07:11 AM

I had the great pleasure of seeing the film on the big screen two years ago in 3-D and it truly does have a magic about it.Chapman added a great deal to the films power,and he secured a place in horror/sci-fi history for his efforts.Rest In Peace,sir.

Mortis · 02-25-2008, 06:19 AM

R.i.p.

satans-sadists · 02-25-2008, 05:37 PM

I met Ben ten years ago on the East Coast at a film convention. Very nice guy who talked to me at length instead of just signing my Creature photo. Last year I finally got to see the original Creature from the Black Lagoon on the big screen at The Stanford Theatre, though not in 3-D.

Rest in peace, Ben.

03-04-2008, 06:31 PM

R.i.p.

02-22-2008, 11:23 AM	#1
Wayne Manor Maniac Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 760	Ben Chapman, 79, was the Creature From the Black Lagoon on land, has died. Posted on the Universal Monsters Army site: "THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the first horror movie (possibly the first movie of ANY kind) that I can remember seeing, at the Islander Drive-In in Key West when it first came out, sitting in the back seat of the family car by myself. It scared the HELL out of me, but it also fascinated me and initiated a lifelong interest in awesome monsters. I got to spend some time with Ben when I first met him at Monster Bash in 2000. Some friends and I had a table in the same room with him, and we helped him whenever we could over the weekend. I was delighted to find out that the big lovable monster I'd known so long was such a big lovable character inside too. A very warm, friendly, funny, GENUINE guy -- and a little outrageous too! I brought along one of those near-lifesize diecut standees of the Creature that Blockbuster used to advertise the video, and Ben displayed it behind his table all weekend. At the end of the show he inscribed and signed it for me across Blackie's midsection with a big silver marker... and he offered to add an off-color anatomical doodle if I wanted it. I wish now that I'd taken him up on it. This would be a good day to watch THE CREATURE again and revisit the magic and the majesty. He died 12:15 AM this morning Hawaii time. He had been in the hospital for two days. He had a living will and life support was turned off yesterday. There will be a memorial service at a Catholic Church near the beach, and he will be cremated. He was 79 years old." Ben Chapman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lXP6Qj_4-w

02-22-2008, 11:41 AM	#2
Katatonia Hellbound Heart Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 15,903	R.i.p. __________________ "The machines are faster and the bombs are worse, as we're all sucked into this unholy curse." - Saint Vitus - War Is Our Destiny DVD Profiler Collection

02-22-2008, 02:21 PM	#3
Gore Lunatic Violenza Carnale Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: With the worms Posts: 1,158	Sad news . R. I. P. __________________ "Let it be known sons and daughters, that Satan was an acid-head. Drink from his cup, plegde yourselves and together we'll all freak out!" - Horace Bones (I Drink Your Blood)

02-22-2008, 05:21 PM	#5
X-human I ate my keys Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 6,320	Sad news, as he was one of the last great links to the golden age. He was a great and very generous man. His absence will truly be missed in the classic horror community. __________________ The combined weight of the horrors I have authored wrought would crush your carbon hearts into perfect diamonds of terror! A Few Ants Short. And what the hell, check out my DVD Collection won't you?

02-22-2008, 05:33 PM	#6
DrHerbertWest For Your Health Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 4,007	RIP to a legend. __________________ "Send more paramedics."

02-22-2008, 05:14 PM	#4
geeare Guest Posts: n/a	damn, my favourite of the monsters. RIP.

02-22-2008, 07:47 PM	#7
MorallySound There is no magic. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 5,846	Rest in peace. __________________ "Things only seem to be magic. There is no real magic. There's no real magic ever." - Martin Bad Monster Films \| Mantis in Black Lace \| Vimeo \| Letterboxd \| Tumblr \| Twitter \| Reel to Reel \| Oh, the Horror! \| DVD Aficionado

02-22-2008, 09:29 PM	#8
wago70 Robinson Crusoe on Mars Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Francisco - down by them two ol' sheds Posts: 2,980	I'm sorry to hear! I was lucky to see him last year when he and the lead actress were both interviewed on stage here in S.F. for a CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON 3-D showing. A good sized crowd was there. R.I.P.

02-23-2008, 07:11 AM	#9
Erick H. HackMaster Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 7,440	I had the great pleasure of seeing the film on the big screen two years ago in 3-D and it truly does have a magic about it.Chapman added a great deal to the films power,and he secured a place in horror/sci-fi history for his efforts.Rest In Peace,sir.

02-25-2008, 06:19 AM	#10
Mortis GARBAGE DAY! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 7,399	R.i.p. __________________ Punish!

02-25-2008, 05:37 PM	#11
satans-sadists Humanitarian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,867	I met Ben ten years ago on the East Coast at a film convention. Very nice guy who talked to me at length instead of just signing my Creature photo. Last year I finally got to see the original Creature from the Black Lagoon on the big screen at The Stanford Theatre, though not in 3-D. Rest in peace, Ben.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-04-2008, 06:31 PM	#12
thrashard76 Guest Posts: n/a	R.i.p.