Behind-the-scenes footage of the reshoot of the squid sequence in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
A soundstage with a tank was built specifically for the movie. It was used for underwater miniature shots, but most importantly, this was where the famous squid sequence of the movie was filmed. Building the soundstage alone cost $300,000, but costs would continue to climb once the studio realized it would need to shoot the sequence all over again.
The screenwriter Earl Felton originally described the scene as such in his script: "THE NAUTILUS breaks the surface in the red after-glow of sunset, the ugly body of the squid silhouetted against the horizon, its long tentacles writhing."
Peter Ellenshaw, matte artist: I reckoned it would be very dramatic if--and I was doing sketches on the film quite a lot--that if we did a red, deep red sky, and the squid comes out of the water, it would be a wonderful effect. Well they tried it. They put on that kind of wishy washy sky, and it looked ridiculous.
Richard Fleischer, director: [The first squid] had all the tentacles, but the tentacles were held up by very heavy cables, which you couldn't avoid seeing... The cables would break, or great hunks of the material would come apart, come off. And the inside was stuffed with kapok, and it was absorbing the water, so it's getting heavier and heavier and getting less and less mobile, and it was just impossible. So I'm trying to shoot this thing, and I'm sick to my stomach looking at it because I know it's not working.
After seeing the dailies of the squid sequence, Walt talked with director Richard Fleischer, and they both agreed that it looked comical. Thus, Walt halted production while they thought of an alternate solution.
Fleischer: [Walt] said, "Start a dramatic sequence, and leave the squid sequence alone." He said, "I'll get together with my geniuses at Disneyland, and we'll come up with a squid that will do something for you. It'll be much better than this." ...My writer Earl Felton had seen the dailies too. And I said, "You know, Earl, what are we going to do with this thing? It doesn't work, even if we get a good squid." He said, "Well, look: everything's wrong with this sequence. This should be a sequence that takes place at night in a violent storm with lightning and thunder and wind, tremendous wind, waves smashing everything, so that it becomes not just a fight against the squid, but a fight against nature as well. You'll only see the squid really in flashes of lightning, and you won't see any flaws it may have." So I kissed his hand and ran out to find Walt, and I ran right into Walt on the studio street, and I said, "Walt, this is the new concept for the squid fight." And he listened, and he said, "You're absolutely right." He didn't hesitate a minute. "That's the way we'll do it, and you tell Earl to write that sequence."
The new squid was redesigned and remodeled by sculptor Chris Mueller (who sculpted a majority of the animals on Jungle Cruise). In his redesign, he tapered out the ends of the tentacles to allow them to stretch out to twice their length. He added a brow ridge to the squid to give it a more menacing look and rounded out + shortened the head.
The new mechanics were concepted and created by technical effects expert Bob Mattey (who made the animals on Jungle Cruise move and eventually would become well-known for creating the three animatronic sharks in the film Jaws). He created a spring device that made the tentacles light in weight and fluid in movement. It required 28 men to operate the squid, and they would use vacuum hoses to make the tentacles writhe, inflating them to make them curl and deflating them to uncurl them.
With the new stormy setting, it also required the addition of wind machines, dump tanks, wave makers, and reengineering the Nautilus so that it could lean during the storm.
Most of this reshoot was shot by second unit director Jim Havens (pictured in the first and eighth gifs; James Curtis Havens on IMDb), who already had previous experience shooting action sequences, including the underwater scenes in Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Needless to say, the reshoot practically flooded the soundstage. You can see in the last gif that the water spilled outside the soundstage as Walt, with rubber boots on, walks into the building.
The reshoot cost an additional $250,000, but with only half of the principal photography having been shot, the production was in danger of being shut down. The film had to start taking from funds intended for Disneyland.
Fleischer: They had to get in the bankers... They asked them to supply money to finish the picture, and the bankers wanted to see what had been shot up to date. And that was a big day for us. I was working on the set, waiting to hear word whether we're going to come back to work the next day or shut down that night. It was really that close. Word got back to me. They loved it. And they're giving him a million and a half dollars to finish the picture. That's our squid story. It was a real hair-raiser. A movie in itself.
quotes and footage from “The Making of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” featurette
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Chapter 42: Respects
I was crying. The face that Chris had made while I was being pulled away by Albert had broken my heart. I was told by my father to protect Chris, and while this would protect him for now, what are the long-term effects? It was moments like this when I wished I had a vice to cling to.
Albert drank and used to smoke when he was in the army. As soon as I found out, though, I helped him quit. Never did like the smell of tobacco burning. It reminded me of when my parents fought.
I shook my head while I was having a surgical shoe placed on my left foot. We were in the medical wing of Albert's Eastern European base. It was small and formerly a Veltro base. The doctor was nice but had a thick Russian accent.
"I am sorry, lady boss, but you have, without a doubt, fractured your fourth metatarsal on your left foot. Given your superior healing capability, I would say it still would take at least four weeks to heal." The doctor said as he closed the straps to the ugly shoe to my foot.
"And you are sure of this doctor? What about the children? Are they alright?" I asked a worried look on my face.
"You worry a bit too much about children. Your state is perfectly fine. As long as you don't take a fall down a forty-foot staircase, I am pretty sure you will be fine. Take a look at the latest ultrasound I just took." The doctor says, pulling up a picture on his monitor.
"What am I looking at, doc?" I asked, staring at the screen.
"Your virus is causing a special muscle around the children thicker than the average womb. It's like you are wearing a stabproof vest over a set of Kevlar clothing." He said, easing my worries.
"Thanks, doctor, but I should head to the airstrip now. I'm sure my husband is waiting." I said, standing up off the medical bed.
"Da, don't be a stranger. Do come to visit with younglings after they are born." The doctor said as I limped away.
As I was in the hallway, I saw Albert walking towards me. He zipped over to me and lifted me into his arms, bridal style as usual. I chuckled. I'm sure he loved holding me this way.
"I have fractured my foot, Wesk," I admitted shamefully only to have him kiss my forehead as we zipped through the base to the airfield.
"We are not made of diamonds and jade dearheart," Albert said, "we are still flesh and bone, as much as I hate to admit it."
I nuzzled into his chest as we arrived at the plane. The flight to Edonia would be short, but I knew I was going to sleep through it. What I knew was coming was something I had been waiting for a long time. A chance to meet my darling baby boy.
Reina Mueller was a dear friend of mine who helped me with hiding from Umbrella. Her dad had done it for years, so she picked up a few tricks. She was my midwife for my son's pregnancy. She taught me how to play a little bit of the piano, and I taught her how to cook some of my favorite meals. If it weren't for the fact I was with Albert and I loved him with all my heart, I would have stayed hidden.
"What are you thinking about my lotus?" Albert asked as he stroked the small bump slowly growing beneath our hands.
"Of Reina Albert, she was a good friend. I'm sure Jake was raised well, and my contact has been training him to protect himself. I hope that my contact will recognize me. It has been a long time since I last saw him." I said, closing my eyes.
"I must admit I wish you had told me sooner about our children. I knew when you had disappeared, it was to hide from Spencer. I could have helped you, and we might have been able to see them." He said, stroking my hair.
"I know, the first time I was Sergei's thumb the entire time. He said he would keep the child safe, and little did I know that Spencer had recruited him a few years prior. When I managed to escape his grasp, I landed at a local orphanage. I hid the remaining two weeks of my pregnancy there. I met two wanna-be parents who were unable to conceive. The orphanage director said that I should give my baby to them instead of leaving it there. I agreed they took me to their small house in a tiny village in the Russian badlands. I didn't ask much about them. I knew the more I knew, the higher the chances Spencer would find Alistar. I left shortly after she was born. Gods, it took me so much not to get attached. It took me four days to recover and disappear. During those days, I fed her and helped change her." I heard Albert Shhh me as tears fell onto his lap.
"Breathe, my dear lotus, we will at least be meeting our son soon. Spencer and Sergei no longer stand in our way." Wesker said, stroking my hair.
He was right, and that thought made me smile. All we had to worry about currently was our vow renewal and meeting our son and Alex. However, she could wait. We've put off our happiness for so long. Things are finally coming to fruition.
I breathed slowly, my eyes still closed but a smile on my lips. I place a hand on my tummy, giving the little ones some attention. With a light snore, I faded into black.
When I awoke, I was in the back seat of a black Mercedes. Albert was at the wheel. I let out a soft moan and stretched my back. I noticed Albert looking at me through the rearview mirror.
"How long was I out for love?" I asked, sitting up.
"Four hours and thirty-seven minutes, to be exact. I changed you into funeral attire. We are going to be late, but we were never going to be part of the service, were we." Albert asked as I looked at the simple black dress that accented my belly.
"No, we were going to meet my contact after the wake," I said, pulling out my phone.
"We are here, dearheart. Let's wait in the tree line... there is no one here except a couple of gentlemen and a priest." He said, putting the car in park.
"And one of them is my contact." I sigh. How were we that late? Or did Reina keep hiding after I left?
"Should I step out?" Albert asked about to open his car door.
"No, I will. It's my contact who has been training our son for the past two years. I think you should follow me still, just in case." I said, stepping out of the car.
Albert followed me quickly out of the car and towards the few people in the cemetery. I stood just at the edge of the tree line. The priest was an elderly man and stood next to a tall brunette man who had a U.S.S. standard pistol on his hip. His hand was on a young man's shoulder. The kid looked like Albert just with bright red hair. It reminded me of my mother's hair.
"HEY!!! WHO'S OVER THERE!" The young man said.
I grimaced and walked forward with a limp, "I AM A FRIEND OF REINA MUELLER I WAS TOLD HER FUNERAL WAS TODAY!"
"YEAH, WELL, THIS IS A PRIVATE EVENT!! SO GET LOST!!" The kid yelled out.
"Let's just go dearheart, it's clear we are not wanted here," Albert said, placing his hand on my shoulder.
I placed my hand on his face and stroked his cheek, "Just wait one second."
"If you truly are a friend of Ms. Mueller, then tell me what time does the Phoenix rise?" HUNK said, staring deep into my eyes.
The code phrase we had set up years ago. So it was clear he did remember me. He started to walk towards me, pulling out his pistol. The father looked horrified.
"The Phoenix herself rises at seven hundred forty-eight hours and falls when the light burns out of her heart. Who greets and bids farewell to the Phoenix when she falls and returns?" I asked, walking forward with my hands up and motioning for Albert to stay back for the moment.
As I walked forward Agent HUNK spoke, "The Grim Reaper himself greets the Phoenix upon her death arms open, welcome to see his long-forgotten friend and they bid each other goodbye once the fire in her heart is reignited granting her life anew. What treasure did the Phoenix last give the Reaper when they parted?"
We stopped in front of each other, I beckoned Albert forward, and HUNK motioned for Jake to come to him.
"The Phoenix left her chick with The Reaper for she knew her path was perilous and The Reaper her teacher had never let her down," I said, smiling as the Reaper hugged me.
"It has been a long time since we last spoke face-to-face, Tabitha," HUNK said as Jake and Albert arrived.
"You know this lady teach?" Jake asked, carefully eyeing me up and down.
"Yes, I was the one who invited her. Remember how I told you I had a job regarding keeping you and your mother safe." HUNK said, releasing the hug and putting away his pistol.
"Yea and what does that have to do with two random ass people showing up to my mom's funeral," Jake asked looking at me and Albert with a glare, "Why did you invite them, teach?"
"I was the one who paid Mr. Death here to watch over you and Reina," I said pulling out my PDA and handing it to Jake with my financials on screen, "These are my financials following July of ninety-eight six years after you were born. I set up an account to send your mother around two thousand five hundred US dollars every month."
"She told me a long time ago that we had a benefactor from the US. Someone who she was close to for quite a long time. But that doesn't prove that she meant anything to you." Jake snapped, and I noticed Albert's hands tightened.
"My treasure, grab my purse from the car. I need my wallet." I turned towards Wesker, and he nodded, walking off.
"Of course, dearheart, but be careful." He said, walking over to the car.
"What calling off your guard dog? That seems like a dumb move, lady. Especially in these parts, the gangs would tear a rich lady like you up and spit you out in the gutter." Jake said a nasty smirk on his face.
"That's enough, Jake!" HUNK snapped, "Ms. Redfield was my best student when I was employed as a trainer by Umbrella. She probably could kick your ass well up and down this cemetery if she saw fit."
"At ease, Grim, it's not like I couldn't, but I won't. I would not do that to Reina's kid. Not to mention, I'm nine weeks along with triplets. At my age, I have to be extra careful, I already broke my foot in an attempt to escape a B.O.W. I'm not testing my luck anymore this week." I said, Jake, staring in disbelief.
"Damn teach! How old are you?" Jake asked, scrolling through the PDA, "Wait a minute, why are there pictures of me in the photo library? Just who are you?".
"Here you are, dearheart," Albert said, jogging up behind me at a normal human pace and handing me my purse.
"Thank you, love," I said, opening the purse and wallet.
"I asked, who the hell are you?" Jake said, almost getting in my face.
I pulled out my favorite picture, one I knew there were only two copies of. It was of me, Jake, and Reina in the delivery room just after his birth. I placed it in front of his face and softened my voice.
"My name is Tabitha Elise Redfield. This is my husband Albert. Our actual last name is of no consequence. However, this photo is. This photo was taken on June twenty-first nineteen ninety-two. I had just given birth to a male with red hair and beautiful blue eyes. My best friend, who I came to Edonia to find, was beside me in this photo. I was just handed my baby when the doctors took this picture." I said, holding back tears.
"That's the picture Ma had on her nightstand. She always told me that this was her luckiest day. That she would one day tell me about the lady in this picture. When she was on her deathbed, she asked me to bring this picture to her. Said that it was time I knew the truth. I was gone not even thirty minutes. By the time I got back, she was crashing. They wouldn’t let me be by her side." Jake started crying, taking the photo from my hands.
"It's alright, kido. Let it out. You can trust her. It's him I am weary of." HUNK said, pointing at Wesk.
"It has been a long time, hasn't it, Mr. Death? I assure you I'm only here to support my Tabitha." Albert said, holding my stomach, "as well as keeping her and our little ones safe."
"I am sorry to pry, but can we return to Ms. Mueller's funeral? I'm sure you lovely folk can talk after I finish her burial rights." The priest said, walking up behind Jake and HUNK.
"Oh, sorry, Father, I didn't mean to intrude." I quickly apologized as did Albert.
"Then let's head back to the grave site. As long as Mr. Mueller allows it to stay." The father said, walking back.
"Yeah, they can come, but if I find out you're lying to me about who you are, I will not be friendly," Jake said, walking back.
I followed them, but Wesk went back to the car. I could tell Jake was getting under his skin. They were very much alike, temperament-wise, at least. It made me chuckle.
I wasn't going to demand Jake to come live with me and Albert. That wouldn't be right. Reina raised him. I knew I had no claims to call him son. I was just an egg donor. The same could be said about Albert being the sperm donor.
I thought back to my two childhood friends. Jake, who had died of gang violence in Raccoon City when I was fourteen. Reina, who was now beneath my feet from lymphoma. I had a perfectly resin-encased Ice Follies Daffodil in my purse, the same type we had buried with our friend back in seventy-five.
When the priest stopped his prayers, he asked if I had anything to say. I thought for a moment and nodded. HUNK placed his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him and looked at the freshly dug grave.
"Reina, I'm sorry. I honestly don't have much to say. I was a failure of a friend to you. After you moved out of Raccoon to Edonia. It was only by chance I found you again. I stayed with you in hiding for roughly seven months. Those were some of my favorite days. When your son was born, it was the happiest I've ever seen you. You had always wanted to be a mom since we were kids. I knew I had made the right choice when I saw how you held him." I said to the casket.
Jake stared my way with a confused look on his face. He stared at me and then at the picture, then back at me. I saw the gears in his head slowly starting to click into place.
I sighed and lightly kicked my bad foot, "That day while one of my saddest was also one of my happiest. I was able to make my best friend's dream a reality. When we looked at each other and laughed, we both knew then, didn't we? What do you have to name him? Did we not? A name that shared equal meaning to us, Jacob. The name of our friend who brought us all together and held us together like fucking glue. We both know he was in the delivery room that night, keeping an eye on our dumbasses. Reina, just as you promised me that day. I promise the same to you now here and on your grave. I will watch over your son and make sure to do my best to guide him like you did for me. I have something for you, ya know. A daffodil preserved in resin. It's just like the fresh ones we gave Jacob when he passed. You both loved the daffodilys that grew at school."
I pulled out the flower and placed it on the casket. Jake went wide-eyed but smiled and opened the top of the bare casket. I smiled and took one last look at Reina. She looked tired but at peace. A small smile on her lips. Her flowing ginger locks were brushed back and washed. I place the bloom in her cold, fragile hands. Jake closed the casket and I knew the last little bit I had to say.
"Reina, I promise I'll keep him on a path you would be proud of. He is the most sacred bond we have. May you find your way to your eternal spring filled with dillys, and shadows guide you, goodbye." I slightly bow.
HUNK nodded and I saw Jake with tears in his eyes. He was trying to hide it with his arm but it was obvious. When she was lowered into the grave I let my emotions show and cried. The last bit of my contacts dissolved as I wept my tears. I reached into my purse as the rain started to fall. Placing on my new corrective shades I look up to the sky.
"Heaven weeps as a new angel crosses through those golden gates." The Father said pulling out a rickety old umbrella.
Wesker walked up behind me holding a sturdy black umbrella as it began to pour, "Lotus, come wait in the car. We don't want to risk you catching a cold with the little ones still growing. I'll help bury her. That way I can at least pay my respects to Ms. Reina."
"There is no need for that. You four go to Mr. Mueller's home and have a meal. Reina was a member of my flock. I shall see that her grave is fully tended to before the rain stops." The father said reluctantly smiling.
"You both follow me and teach. We will take you guys back to mine and my mother's place, however, once we are there we need to have something settled." Jake said handing me back my picture.
"Are you sure you want to go down this path kid? Where we three are from there is no turning back." HUNK said staring at Jake.
"I sure teach and I think Mom didn't want me to hate my biological mother and father. At least that is the vibe I'm reading. Isn't that right mother, father?" Jake said scratching the back of his neck.
"It would be better if we discussed this at a secure place, but yes you are right. In both senses." I said.
"Then let us take my Mercedes. That way we can avoid this rain." Albert said pulling out his keys.
"Mercedes? Are you guys loaded?" Jake asked a bit annoyed.
"Off the records Yes but it's hard to be rich legally when technically we both have died," I said laughing as we started walking towards the car.
HUNK and Albert laughed while Jake looked confused.
"What does that mean?" He asked trying to catch up.
This was going to be a hard discussion.
Hey everyone slifarianhawk here and welcome to 2024. Yep already off to a good start. A chapter on the second day of the year. That's a first for me. Well, I hope everyone enjoyed their New Years. The next chapter will be a good one. My name is Slifarianhawk and I'm not so far away.
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