**Jack Arnold** (New Haven, October 14, 1916 – Los Angeles, March 17, 1992) was an American film director and producer, a key figure in 1950s science fiction and horror cinema. He managed to elevate the "B-movie" genre with an intelligent and thematic approach.

His most renowned works include *It Came from Outer Space* (1953), the classic *Creature from the Black Lagoon* (1954), which created a cinematic icon, and *Tarantula!* (1955). His masterpiece is often considered *The Incredible Shrinking Man* (1957), an existential allegory on the human condition and alienation.

Arnold's style is characterized by the exploration of paranoia, fear of the unknown, and the often conflictual relationship between science and nature, sometimes showing empathy for "monstrous" creatures. Although primarily associated with science fiction, he also directed Westerns and noirs before successfully transitioning to television.