The Florida spring where Tarzan swam with elephants is now a state park you can visit

Wakulla Springs’ Hollywood Transformation into Cinematic Amazon Paradise

Florida’s Wakulla Springs once stood in for the Amazon River on the big screen. When Edward Ball hired swim coach Newt Perry in 1939, he got more than a lodge manager.

Perry used his Hollywood ties to bring MGM to the springs in 1941, where Johnny Weissmuller swam with elephants for Tarzan’s Secret Treasure.

Later, Perry introduced Universal scouts to lifeguard Ricou Browning, who became the underwater Gill-man in 1954’s Creature from the Black Lagoon. The film earned $1.3 million and made history.

Today, this cinematic jungle awaits at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, where movie magic still lurks beneath the crystal-clear waters.

A Swimming Legend Brought Hollywood to Wakulla Springs

Ed Ball bought Wakulla Springs in 1934 and made a smart move in 1939 when he hired swimming coach Newt Perry to run the lodge.

Perry worked at Silver Springs during filming of MGM’s “Tarzan Finds a Son” and knew many Hollywood folks. His underwater swimming skills and connections made him perfect for bringing movie studios to Wakulla Springs.

The springs had crystal-clear water with visibility down to 120 feet, making it ideal for underwater filming.

MGM Film Crews Turned Florida into Africa

MGM came to Wakulla Springs in June 1941 to film “Tarzan’s Secret Treasure” with Johnny Weissmuller. Perry helped run things and made sure underwater filming went smoothly.

The springs looked just right for African jungle settings, with lots of greenery and clean waters.

By July 1941, Wakulla Springs became known as a place where Hollywood could turn Florida into far-off places for much less money than overseas travel.

Johnny Weissmuller Swam With Elephants and Alligators

Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller did amazing underwater stunts during filming, including scenes with real elephants and alligators.

His swimming background helped him do action scenes that amazed moviegoers who never saw anything like it before. The natural beauty of Wakulla Springs added a real feel to the film that Hollywood sets couldn’t match.

Universal Studios Hunted for the Perfect Swamp

Universal Studios scouts came to Florida in 1953 looking for the right place to film “Creature from the Black Lagoon. ” Director Jack Arnold wanted mysterious waters and thick plants to create the right mood.

Wakulla Springs offered clear shallow areas perfect for filming plus spooky cypress swamps nearby. The out-of-the-way spot kept curious onlookers away and gave them natural scenery that studio sets couldn’t match.

The Lifeguard Who Became a Monster

Perry introduced Universal scouts to Ricou Browning, a 23-year-old FSU student working as a lifeguard at the springs.

Browning showed off his swimming during a test and wowed the Hollywood folks with his underwater skills. Perry trained Browning himself and knew the young man could handle tough underwater scenes.

Browning could hold his breath for over four minutes, a rare skill perfect for playing a creature who lived underwater.

Six Hundred Bucks a Week to Play the Gill-man

Jack Arnold called Browning two weeks after his swim test with an offer: $600 weekly to play the underwater Gill-man. The deal split the role between Browning for underwater scenes and Ben Chapman for land scenes.

The young lifeguard quickly took the job that would change his life.

The crew planned to start filming at Wakulla Springs before the end of 1953, turning the Florida spot into the mysterious Amazon for viewers worldwide.

A Female Disney Artist Created the Famous Monster

Milicent Patrick, one of Disney’s first female artists, designed the famous Gill-man costume that scared generations of moviegoers.

Her creation had realistic scales, gills, and webbed hands that made the water creature seem real.

Makeup boss Bud Westmore later took credit for Patrick’s work, something that often happened to women artists in the 1950s. The costume became one of the most known monster designs in film history.

Lead Weights and Air Hoses Made Movie Magic Possible

Browning wore the foam rubber Gill-man suit with lead weights added to keep him from floating during filming. Between takes, he used air hoses to breathe without wasting time getting out of the water.

His four-minute breath capacity allowed for long underwater scenes that looked smooth on screen. The clear Wakulla waters showed every detail of his moves, creating visuals that couldn’t be filmed anywhere else.

The Creature Swam Away With Box Office Gold

“Creature from the Black Lagoon” hit theaters March 5, 1954, and quickly became popular with viewers. The film made $1.3 million in the US alone, making it one of Universal’s biggest hits that year.

Critics loved the underwater scenes filmed at Wakulla Springs as something truly special.

The movie made the Gill-man part of Universal’s monster family with Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man.

From Monster to Dolphin Trainer

Browning came back to play the underwater Gill-man in two sequels: “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) and “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956).

His career took off after his work at Wakulla Springs, leading him to co-create and direct the popular TV show “Flipper. ” His underwater expertise made him sought after in Hollywood for decades.

Browning kept his connection to Florida’s springs throughout his career, returning often to the place that launched him to fame.

Jack Lemmon Filmed an Underwater Airplane Crash

Wakulla Springs hosted more Hollywood productions over the years, including “Airport 77” starring Jack Lemmon in 1976-1977.

The clear waters continued to attract filmmakers looking for natural beauty and underwater filming opportunities. Florida bought the property for $7.15 million in 1986, creating Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.

Today, visitors can enjoy both the natural wonders and Hollywood history of this unique spot where movie magic happened for decades.

Visiting Wakulla Springs, Florida

Wakulla Springs at 465 Wakulla Park Drive became Hollywood’s Amazon for classic films like Tarzan and Creature from the Black Lagoon. You’ll pay $6 per vehicle to enter the park, which opens at 8am until sundown daily.

Take boat tours for $8 adults or $5 kids (book online ahead).

You can swim in the designated area with a 22-foot diving platform in 70-degree water, but no sunscreen allowed in the spring.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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