Wasp Woman (1960)
Director - Roger Corman
The Plot
Janet Starlin’s looks and cosmetic company are racing downhill together. When a somewhat mad scientist offers her a rejuvenating beauty product derived from wasp enzymes, the corporate magnate insists on being the trial subject herself. At first it works wonders. And then…
Film Notes
The Sting of Low Budgets
Even for producer/director Roger Corman The Wasp Woman is a cheaper than cheap effort. Literally no expense was spared on the special effects for this outing, meaning it looks like not a single penny was spent.
However, and there is always a however in the world of low budget monster movies, Susan Cabot does a more than credible job as Janet Starlin with little more than everyday make-up taking her from just short of dowdy to hot 1950s glamour girl. We will not speak of the wasp make up.
And the Truth Stings, Too
In 1963, Susan Cabot had a son. Timmy. He was born a dwarf and grew up to be a strange young man. It has been reported they spent little time with anyone but themselves, alone together but for their Japanese attack dogs.
In 1986, the young Timmy bludgeoned his mother to death with weight lifting equipment. It was rumored that he had been taking experimental growth hormones and drugs since he was a child, and that Ms Cabot herself partook of some of those same concoctions.
Film Reforestation Process
Many low budget films were unnecessarily padded to fill theater show times. Look for the rare cut of The Wasp Woman that underwent a rigorous cinematic archeological film reforestation process supervised by Professor Edison J. Nello. This special viewing experience, bringsout the essence of the film, and was offered a as a gesture of respect for the time constraints and sanity viewers.
-- Ed Schneider
Cast & Production Credits
| Susan Cabot | Janice Starlin |
| Barboura Morris | Mary Dennison |
| Fred Anthony Eisley | Bill Lane |
| Frank Gerstle | Night Watchman |
| William Roerick | Arthur Cooper |
| Lynn Cartwright | Maureen Reardon |
| Michael Mark | Dr. Zinthrop |
| Roy Gordon | Paul Thompson |
| Produced by American International Pictures | |
| Roger Corman | Director / Producer |
| Leo Gordon | Screenwriter |
| Harry Neumann | Cinematographer |
| Fred Katz | Composer (Music Score) |
| Carlos Lodato | Editor |
| Jack Bohrer | Production Designer |
| Daniel Haller | Art Director |
