The Wasp Woman (1995 film)

Last updated
The Wasp Woman
The Wasp Woman 1995 Film.png
American DVD/VHS cover of "The Wasp Woman"
GenreHorror
Thriller
Science Fiction
Created by Roger Corman
Based on 1959 film of the same name screenplay
by Leo Gordon
Screenplay byDaniella Purcell
Guy Prevost
Story byKinta Zertuche
Directed by Jim Wynorski
Starring Jennifer Rubin
Doug Wert
Theme music composer Terry Plumeri
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Roger Corman
Lance H. Robbins
Producers Mike Elliott
Mike Upton (co-producer)
Marta M. Mobley (line producer)
Production locationsBronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park – 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
Truesdale Facility – 11797 Truesdale Street, Department of Water & Power, Sun Valley, Los Angeles
CinematographyMike Mickens
EditorDaniel H. Holland
Running time87 minutes
Production companies Concorde-New Horizons
Libra Pictures
Showtime Networks
Original release
NetworkShowtime Networks
Release1995 (1995)

The Wasp Woman (also known as Forbidden Beauty) is a 1995 television body horror film directed by Jim Wynorski and starring Jennifer Rubin, and Doug Wert. It is a remake of the 1959 film of the same name, which was produced and directed by Roger Corman. The film first aired on the Showtime Network in 1995.

Contents

The film, produced and distributed by Concorde Pictures, was a Roger Corman production. It was the eighth installment of the anthology film series Roger Corman Presents .

Plot

Janice Starlin is a model who has built up her own cosmetics company. She has always modeled for her own company's advertisements, but now that she is in her forties, investors are advising her to step aside in favor of a younger model. In desperation, she consults a scientist working on a new youth serum based on wasp hormones. Eager for any possible treatment, Janice agrees to be the first human test subject. At first, the results seem miraculous-she looks like a 25-year-old. As time goes on, however, the terrible side effects of the drug become all too apparent.

Cast

Production

Jim Wynorski was an admirer of the original 1959 film: "Roger shot it on used sets. He's a true genius when it comes to taking something that's just sitting there and making a movie around it. He did a great job". [1] Wynorski said remaking the film was his idea: "The original had a very interesting plot, but the film never followed through with the special effects. So I wanted to do it with some bigger crazier effects". [2] Wynorski began his film career working for Roger Corman. He said he wanted to make the film "partly out of nostalgia, partly out of respect to a man who really gave me my start. You don't get to make a wacky crazy thing like Wasp Woman all the time. Now if I could remake Attack of the Crab Monsters , it would make my life complete". [1]

The film had a 20-day shooting schedule. Wynorski revealed: "There's a lot of special effects and things they couldn't do in six days. We have a giant 12-foot-long wasp with wings that fly. It's a wasp with breasts actually. It's quite an astounding thing to see". [1]

In an interview with Rubin from Kitley's Krypt, she spoke of the film: "I did Wasp Woman because I wanted to go through the Corman studios of course. My best friend, Marta Mobley, was running Corman Studios back then, and she asked me to do it. And I wanted to pass through Corman's place". [3] Asking if Rubin was the person in the Wasp costume during the film, she replied: "No, but the wasp was incredible". [3]

In the same interview, Rubin spoke of director Jim Wynorski, and what it was like working with him: "Despicable. He hated me. He was incredibly mean and rude. Fangoria magazine was there on that set of all places, and interviewed someone who wouldn't give their name and said such mean things about me to that magazine. There were times that it was so loud on the set that I can't even hear myself to think my lines with a page and half of dialogue. It was the worst set I've ever been on in my life. The sound guy, Jeff Enden, was incredible nice to me and was a great friend. But Wynorski, he's a pig. To say I wanted to go through Corman studios, I should have looked at it more carefully. I've never had to experience anybody in my life as disgusting as him". [3]

Release

The film was initially released on VHS and LaserDisc in 1996 through New Horizons Home Video. The front cover artwork showed the wasp creature. [4] In 1998, it was released on VHS through New Concorde, featuring new artwork, showing a close-up shot of Rubin, [5] with a DVD version being released in 2004. [6]

Reception

TV Guide awarded the film one out of four stars writing: "Tired plotting and terrible special effects make this one of the worst of the Roger Corman-produced, made-for-cable remakes of his 1950s shockers". [7] Richard Jack Smith from ReelTalk.com criticized the film's direction, script, and "lame duck special effects". [8] Obscurehorror.com gave a favorable review: "The remake watched over by previous director Roger Corman, this film does a bit better in comparison to the first film. The effects which were weak in the first movie are much better and frankly, only time and technology could have done that". [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Attack of the 50 Foot Woman</i> 1958 film

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman is a 1958 independently made American science fiction horror film directed by Nathan H. Juran and starring Allison Hayes, William Hudson and Yvette Vickers. It was produced by Bernard Woolner. The screenplay was written by Mark Hanna, and the original music score was composed by Ronald Stein. The film was distributed in the United States by Allied Artists as a double feature with War of the Satellites.

<i>Attack of the Crab Monsters</i> 1957 film by Roger Corman

Attack of the Crab Monsters is a 1957 independently made American black-and-white science fiction-horror film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, that stars Richard Garland, Pamela Duncan, and Russell Johnson. The film was distributed by Allied Artists as a double feature showing with Corman's Not of This Earth.

<i>Forbidden World</i> 1982 science fiction film

Forbidden World, originally titled Mutant, is a 1982 American science fiction-horror film. The screenplay was written by Tim Curnen, from a screenstory by R.J. Robertson and Jim Wynorski. It was co-edited and directed by Allan Holzman, who had edited Battle Beyond the Stars two years earlier. The cast includes Jesse Vint, Dawn Dunlap, June Chadwick, Linden Chiles, Fox Harris and Michael Bowen. Forbidden World has also been released under the titles Mutant and Subject 20.

<i>Chopping Mall</i> 1986 film by Jim Wynorski

Chopping Mall is a 1986 American independent techno-horror film co-written and directed by Jim Wynorski, produced by Julie Corman, and starring Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, John Terlesky, Russell Todd, Paul Bartel, Mary Woronov, and Barbara Crampton. It focuses on three high-tech security robots turning maniacal and killing teenage employees inside a shopping mall after dark.

Jim Wynorski is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. Wynorski has been making B-movies and exploitation movies since the early 1980s, and has directed over 150 feature films. His earliest films were released to film theaters, but his later works have predominantly been released through the cable or straight-to-video market. He often works under pseudonyms such as "Jay Andrews," "Arch Stanton," "H.R. Blueberry," "Tom Popatopolis," and "Noble Henry." His adult films often spoof popular horror movies: Cleavagefield, for example, parodies Cloverfield, The Bare Wench Project parodies The Blair Witch Project, and Para-Knockers Activity parodies Paranormal Activity.

<i>Beast from Haunted Cave</i> 1959 film

Beast from Haunted Cave is a 1959 horror/heist film directed by Monte Hellman and starring Michael Forest, Frank Wolff and Richard Sinatra. It was produced by Gene Corman, Roger Corman's brother. Filmed in South Dakota at the same time as Ski Troop Attack, it tells the story of bank robbers fleeing in the snow who run afoul of a giant spider-like monster that feeds on humans. The film was released as a double feature with The Wasp Woman (1959).

<i>The Wasp Woman</i> 1959 film by Roger Corman, Jack Hill

The Wasp Woman is a 1959 American independent science-fiction horror film produced and directed by Roger Corman. Filmed in black-and-white, it stars Susan Cabot, Anthony Eisley, Michael Mark, and Barboura Morris. The film was originally released by Filmgroup as a double feature with Beast from Haunted Cave. To pad out the film's running time when it was released to television two years later, a new prologue was added by director Jack Hill.

<i>Sorority House Massacre II</i> 1990 film by Jim Wynorski

Sorority House Massacre II is a 1990 American slasher film directed by Jim Wynorski, featuring scream queens Melissa Ann Moore and Gail Harris. It follows five sorority sisters who are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant after purchasing a large house. Much like its predecessors, Sorority House Massacre II has received a cult following over the years.

<i>Sorority House Massacre III: Hard to Die</i> 1990 American film

Sorority House Massacre III: Hard to Die is a 1990 American slasher film written by Mark Thomas McGee and James B. Rogers, directed by Jim Wynorski, and starring Gail Harris and Melissa Moore. The film features a similar storyline and many of the same actresses from its predecessor, and Wynorski's previous film Sorority House Massacre II, of which Hard to Die is essentially a remake.

<i>Day the World Ended</i> 1955 film by Roger Corman

Day the World Ended is a 1955 independently made black-and-white post-apocalyptic science fiction film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, that stars Richard Denning, Lori Nelson, Adele Jergens, Paul Birch (actor) and Mike Connors. Chet Huntley of NBC, later of The Huntley-Brinkley Report, served as the film's narrator. It was released by American Releasing Corporation as a double feature with The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues.

<i>Deathstalker II</i> 1987 film by Jim Wynorski

Deathstalker II, also known as Deathstalker II: Duel of the Titans, is a 1987 Argentine-American fantasy comedy-adventure film directed by Jim Wynorski and a sequel to 1983's Deathstalker. It was written by Neil Ruttenberg and starring John Terlesky, Monique Gabrielle, John LaZar and María Socas. Terlesky replaced Rick Hill, the protagonist from the previous film, in the starring role of Deathstalker. This is the last sword and sorcery movie that Roger Corman produced in Argentina during the 80s.

<i>Not of This Earth</i> (1988 film) 1988 film by Jim Wynorski

Not of This Earth is a 1988 American science fiction horror comedy film, directed by Jim Wynorski and starring Traci Lords in her first mainstream role after her departure from the adult film industry. It is a remake of Roger Corman's 1957 film of the same name, written by Charles B. Griffith and Mark Hanna.

<i>The Lost Empire</i> (1984 film) 1984 American film

The Lost Empire is a 1984 American fantasy adventure film directed by Jim Wynorski. It was the first feature Wynorski directed.

<i>Raptor</i> (film) 2001 American horror film

Raptor is a 2001 American direct-to-video horror film directed by Jim Wynorski, produced by Roger Corman, and starring Eric Roberts, Melissa Brasselle, and Corbin Bernsen. It re-uses dinosaur footage from the Corman-produced Carnosaur film series, edited together with original footage shot by Wynorski. Raptor was produced by Corman's company New Concorde, which had worked on the Carnosaur films.

<i>Cheerleader Massacre</i> 2003 American film

Cheerleader Massacre is a 2003 American B-movie slasher film directed by Jim Wynorski and written by Lenny Juliano. It is the seventh installment in the Massacre franchise and was originally meant to be a direct sequel to The Slumber Party Massacre (1982).

<i>The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent</i> 1957 film by Roger Corman

The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent is a 1958 American action-adventure horror film directed by Roger Corman. It stars Abby Dalton, Susan Cabot and June Kenney.

<i>Camel Spiders</i> (film) 2011 American horror sci-fi film

Camel Spiders is a 2011 made-for-television horror sci-fi film starring Brian Krause, C. Thomas Howell, and Jessica Cameron. It was directed by genre veteran Jim Wynorski and executive-produced by Roger Corman. The typography on the DVD cover art bears a striking resemblance to that which is used on Camel Cigarettes packaging.

<i>Dinosaur Island</i> (1994 film) 1994 film by Jim Wynorski and Fred Olen Ray

Dinosaur Island is a 1994 B-movie directed by Fred Olen Ray and Jim Wynorski. Wynorski called it "a very 1950's type of picture, like The Lost Continent except that we're going to have better dinosaurs and more girls."

Mark Thomas McGee is a screenwriter and author. Most of his movie work was for Fred Olen Ray and Jim Wynorski. Although he played bit parts in some of these movies, he is not an actor and has been confused with a Mark McGee who actually is an actor. When he was in high school, Mark teamed with Dennis Muren and David Allen to make The Equinox ... A Journey into the Supernatural, released to theaters in an altered version by producer Jack H. Harris.

<i>Vampirella</i> (film) 1996 American film

Vampirella is a 1996 American direct-to-video superhero film which was part of the Roger Corman Presents series. It was based on the Vampirella comic book.

References

  1. 1 2 3 King, S. (Jul 9, 1995). "THREE DIRECTORS FROM THE CORMAN RANKS". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   293189960.
  2. "Interview with Jim Wynorski". Justi Bozung. 1 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rubin". Kitleyskrypt.com. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  4. "LaserDisc Database – Wasp Woman [ID3590NH]". LaserDisc Database.com. LaserDisc Database. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  5. Amazon.com: Wasp Woman [VHS]: Jennifer Rubin, Doug Wert, Daniel J. Travanti, Melissa Brasselle, Maria Ford, John Henry Richardson, Gerrit Graham, Richard Gabai, Johnny Williams, Lenny Juliano, Kimberley Roberts, Fred Olen Ray, Jim Wynorski, Lance H. Robbins, Marta M. Mobley, Mike Elliott, Daniella Purcell, Guy Prevost, Kinta Zertuche, Leo Gordon: Movies & TV. ASIN   6304234686.
  6. "Wasp Woman (1995) – Jim Wynorski". Allmovie.com. AllMovie. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  7. "The Wasp Woman – Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings". TV Guide.com. TV Guide. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  8. Smith, Richard. "The Junk File – ReelTalk Movie Reviews". ReelTalk.com. Richard Jack Smith. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  9. "The Wasp Woman (1995)". Obscurehorror.com. Retrieved 2012-05-31.