he Wasp Woman (a.k.a. The Bee Girl and Insect Woman) is a 1959, independently made, American black-and-white science fiction-horror film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, that 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.
The founder and owner of a large cosmetics company, Janice Starlin (Susan Cabot), is disturbed when her firm’s sales begin to drop after it becomes apparent to her customer base that she is aging. Zinthrop has been able to extract enzymes from the royal jelly of the queen wasp that can reverse the aging process. Janice agrees to fund further research, at great cost, provided she can serve as his human subject. Displeased with the slowness of the results, she breaks into the scientist’s laboratory after hours and injects herself with extra doses of the formula. Zinthrop becomes aware that some of the test creatures are becoming violent and goes to warn Janice, but before he can reach anyone, he gets into a car accident. He is thus temporarily missing and Janice goes through great trouble to find him, eventually taking over his care.
Janice continues her clandestine use of the serum and sheds 20 years in a single weekend, but soon discovers that she is periodically transformed into a murderous, wasp-like creature. Eventually, Zinthrop throws a jar of carbolic acid at her face, and another character, using a chair, pushes her out of a high window, and falls to her death.
Runtime: 63 min
Release Date: 30th October 1959
Genres: Sci-Fi – Horror
Director: Roger Corman
Actors: Susan Cabot – Anthony Eisley – Barboura Morris
Watch this movie now at Classic Films a streaming service devoted exclusively to essential classics. Stream hours and hours of content, with new classic films added weekly. Our team handpick every title, including uncut classics. You can stream Classic Films through our website via computer or laptop, Tablets, and Android mobile devices. To get access to all of Classic Films offerings, Sign Up Now. Monthly Subscription Plans starts at €2.99