The Wasp Woman (1959), dir. Roger Corman, the Filmgroup/Santa Cruz Productions
We're finally ending the 1950's portion of Corman's filmography. Corman was the kind of guy who could get diamonds out of the dumbest coal and yeah, this isn't the best overall film but when you look at the themes? Shockingly good and even relevant today.
Dr. Zinthrop (Michael Mark) is a scientist. Officially he is tasked by his employers to research royal jelly and its use in beauty products. What he's actually been doing is spending his time (and the company's money) on the royal jelly of wasps. When they find out, they fire him.
Starlin Enterprises, meanwhile, is having trouble of their own. CEO and founder Janice Starlin (Susan Cabot) notices that sales are down across the board. When she demands answers from the board, Bill Lane (Anthony Eisley) is the only one who speaks up. His reason for the slump? Janice herself.
Not wishing to be rude, but ever since Janice founded the company eighteen years ago she was the official face of the company. Now? Now an eighteen year older Janic has finally stepped aside and the public has lost confidence.
Dr. Zinthrop then shows up. He's been busy since he got fired. Using the wasp formula, he hasn't just stopped the aging process, he's reversed it! Janice is so enthralled with his ideas she hires him at once and demands to be the first test subject.
Trying to keep all this secrets attracts attention though. Lane, Janice's secretary Mary (Barboura Morris), and Starlin Enterprises scientist Dr. Cooper (William Roerick) all plot to find out what Zinthrop is up to and stop him.
Of course, while they plot, Janic is sneaking into Zinthrop's lab and taking higher doses of the wasp formula.
The she turns into a were-wasp and starts the killing.
Got to say, looking at the performances you get struck by a few things. The whole aging bit is talked about, and Janice isn't being presented as being vain. Lane, meanwhile, talks big about wanting to help her and the company but he conspires to get rid of Zinthrop. Not because he's concerned about Janice, no, what if the old doc is on the level? Starlin herself is portrayed sympathetic when it would have been so easy to make her a shallow harridan but Cabot has her both young and old as such a sweet character you feel bad for her. Darn impressive all things considered.
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