The Wasp Woman (1959) – Review

The Wasp Woman is a prime example of classic B-movie horror that captivates audiences with its quirky charm and relentless suspense, directed by the legendary Roger Corman, this film takes us on a thrilling journey into the world of science gone awry and the terrifying consequences that follow, and by consequences I mean someone is definitely going to be turned into a monster.

The plot revolves around Janice Starlin (Susan Cabot) an ambitious owner of a failing cosmetics company who is troubled by the decline of her company and is desperate to regain her youth and beauty in her personal appearance.  She turns to a maverick scientist, Dr. Eric Zinthrop (Michael Mark), who was fired from his last job because he claimed to have discovered a rejuvenation formula derived from wasp enzymes, something he claims will not only keep you young but also reverse the aging process. Eager to reclaim her former glory, Janice agrees to become a test subject unaware of the monstrous consequences that await her.

“Worst-case scenario, you turn into a monster and eat your friends.”

Not happy with the slow progress – after a week of injections they’ve only been able to shave off a few years –  Janice breaks into the scientist’s laboratory after hours and injects herself with a concentrated dose of the formula. Things start off rather good, with Janice now looking eighteen years younger, but things quickly make a turn for the worst as Janice delves deeper into the experimental treatment and starts to suffer from headaches, but that’s a minor side effect as opposed to what she is in store for. Good ole crackpot Dr. Zinthrop discovers that one of his test subjects has mutated and turned violent – who didn’t see that coming – and in a fit of despondency he walks into traffic where he is hit by a car and ends up in a coma. If only Janice would be so lucky.  When employee Arthur Cooper (William Roerick) attempts to investigate the strange goings on with Dr. Zinthrop, by breaking into his lab and stealing his notes, he runs into a monstrous half-woman, a half-wasp creature with an insatiable thirst for human blood. It makes quick work of the big snoop.

That wasn’t just concentrated wasp enzyme it was concentrated evil.

Trapped in a spiralling nightmare, Janice must grapple with the consequences of tampering with nature and the moral dilemmas that accompany it, and by “moral dilemma” I mean she has no morals at all as she seems completely okay with murdering her staff and hiding the bodies, all the while urging everyone else to come up with marketing plans for this new wondrous miracle product. Basically your typical corporate CEO. Needless to say, none of this makes a lot of sense but The Wasp Woman is the kind of film that thrives on these types of insane plot mechanics and wacky characters as it’s this campy and low-budget aesthetic that makes it an enjoyable watch for fans of vintage sci-fi and horror cinema. With special make-up effects for the Wasp Woman that isn’t so much outdated as they are completely goofy looking, but it’s that kind of thing that adds to the film’s overall charm and appeal.

I’m betting this monster got more laughs than screams back in 1959.

Stray Observations:

• Despite the name of the film being Wasp Woman, the opening scene is actually honeybees. Could no one on this production find stock footage of honeybees?
• When cautioned about working with wasps, Dr. Zinthrop states “If you knew about wasps what I know, you’d have no fear of them, my boy.” Too bad the same can’t be said about his knowledge of women.
• When Dr. Zinthrop injects the guinea pigs to make it younger they actually turn into white rats, which makes his formula even more incredible.
• It’s never explained how Janice reverts back to human once she turns into a Wasp Woman. This isn’t like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde where there was an antidote to the serum.
• This movie would make for an amazing double-bill with The Leech Woman, which also dealt with a woman going to extreme lengths to regain her youth and beauty.
• In the 2004 film Catwoman, the wife and face of a cosmetic company turns to a dangerous product to regain her youth and beauty and becomes a supervillain. Could the writers of one of the worst comic book movies also be guilty of ripping off The Wasp Woman?”

“I’m going to start a life of crime and fight Batman.”

The film’s one saving grace is actress Susan Cabot who delivers a committed performance as this powerful woman fighting the ravages of time, skilfully portraying a woman driven to extreme measures by societal pressure and her own insecurities and capturing the character’s initial vulnerability and subsequent transformation into a monstrous being. Her portrayal effectively reflects the emotional turmoil and desperation of her character as she grapples with the consequences of her choices. That these choices result in her turning into a half-woman half-wasp, in fact, I could argue this is a case of “This could happen to just about anyone” because when you play around in mad science this shit is just bound to occur.

“I’m a mad doctor, what did you expect to happen?”

While The Wasp Woman poses thought-provoking questions about the boundaries of scientific ethics and the human desire for eternal youth, themes that remain relevant even in today’s world of advancements in cosmetic technology, it’s not really the selling point and Roger Corman can only deliver so much on a buck and a half budget and is a testament to Corman’s ability to create engaging narratives on with little to no money. Where it truly shines is in its atmospheric black-and-white photography and cinematographer Harry Neumann really knocks it out of the park in this outing. The film’s moody lighting and eerie set designs contribute to a sense of foreboding and add to the overall tension. Corman’s direction manages to create a palpable atmosphere of dread, even with the limited resources at his disposal.

“Are we sitting in the dark because Corman couldn’t pay the light bill?”

In conclusion, this film is a quintessential B-movie experience that will delight fans of vintage horror and science fiction. Its campy charm, combined with Susan Cabot’s dedicated performance and its underlying moral commentary, makes it a noteworthy addition to the cult classic canon. Whether you’re an aficionado of 1950s cinema or just looking for a fun and nostalgic thrill, The Wasp Woman promises an entertaining ride back to the heyday of creature features and drive-in theatres.