Movie review – Corman #23 - “The Wasp Woman” (1960) **

Early Roger Corman effort for his own Filmgroup company which has a great central idea, an interesting variation on the vampire legend : cosmetics research reveals a wasp-inspired anti-aging formula, used by the head of a cosmetics company (Susan Cabot). Of course even though it works it also turns you evil, and she goes on a rampage. Not enough of a rampage, though – far too much of the film is spent doing research, then on the scientist who makes it and disappears.

There are misogynistic overtones, unusual in Corman works – two male execs get Cabot’s secretary, Barbara Mouris, to spy on her – which she does. (It doesn’t help the leading men are so unmemorable – as they usually would be in Corman films unless they were insane or killers). 

 

The wasp make up is a bit iffy but the attacks are great – Cabot leaps across rooms and fangs these victims. Right on! Although the film cheats when the wasp woman doesn’t kill the irritating secretary who is investigating her, although she has the chance. The story appears very influenced by The Fly (1958) and isn’t as good – though it could have been. Good performance by Cabot. The technical quality of the print I saw on DVD was very poor – grainy and murky looking. Awful music.