For this installment of #52PickUp, I delve into the fictional waters of Black Lake in Northern Maine to witness a killer croc, insults to Maine and its residents, and Betty White’s foul mouth.

Lake Placid is a B-Movie Horror film unlike any other. The reason? It was written by former lawyer and legal show expert David E. Kelley. Yes, the guy who created Ally McBeal! WHAT IS LIFE?!

In fact, the amazing and talented cast only came on board because of David’ fun and compelling characters. According to Bridget Fonda, who plays the lead, that’s why she signed on.

Speaking of the cast; the ensemble is certainly one for the B-Movie record books. Brendan Gleeson plays the town sheriff of this Aroostook County town; Bill Pullman plays the Fish and Wildlife Expert; Bridget Fonda is a paleontologist who is sent up north so her boyfriend can shack up with a co-worker; Oliver Platt is a crocodile expert who believes them to be Gods; and finally, Betty White is the old lady Mrs. Bickerman who feeds the crocodile like a person feeds their pet.

The movie cleverly plays with the stereotypes of such B Movie fare and winds up being a fun ride wherein the characters outshine the monster.

Fun note: It was directed by Steve Miner, who also directed Friday the 13th Part 2, Forever Young, and Halloween: H20.

What’s the franchise like?

Lake Placid, unfortunately, continued with four more sequels, then a spin-off Versus movie pitting the Crocodile against the Anaconda from– you guessed it, Anaconda.

Where/ when did I first see it?

I first watched this on VHS from our rental place, Video Market in 1999.

How does it hold up?

Aside from the marginally inferior CGI, Lake Placid is better than before, because as an adult, the jokes are more understandable and therefore land more efficiently.

The Joker:

Obviously, it’s the delicious Betty White.

Lessons Learned?

1. It goes to show no one is beholden to one genre, not even David E. Kelley.
2. Don’t mess with an alligator crocodile.
3. Betty White is God.

Where can you see it?

Check out Lake Placid on CanIStream.It?

-Jamie (@GuyOnAWire)

---