The Wasp Woman (1995 film)
| The Wasp Woman | |
|---|---|
 American DVD/VHS cover of "The Wasp Woman" | |
| Genre | Horror, Thriller |
| Directed by | Jim Wynorski |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Kinta Zertuche |
| Based on |
1960 screenplay by Leo Gordon |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Terry Plumeri |
| Editing by | Daniel H. Holland |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Original channel | Showtime Networks |
| Release date |
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| Running time | 87 minutes |
The Wasp Woman (aka Forbidden Beauty) is a 1995 television film starring Jennifer Rubin, and Doug Wert, directed by Jim Wynorski. The film first aired on the Showtime Network during 1995.
The film, produced and distributed by Concorde Pictures, was a Roger Corman production. It was part of the Roger Corman Presents series. The film was a remake of the 1959 film of the same name, which was directed by Corman and starred Susan Cabot in the leading role. However this was not the first remake of the film, as the 1988 film Rejuvenatrix was also a remake of the film (also known as The Rejuvenator).
Plot
Janice Starlin is a model who has built up her own cosmetics company. She has always modelled 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
- Jennifer Rubin as Janice Starlin
- Doug Wert as Alec
- Daniel J. Travanti as Dr. Zinthorp
- Melissa Brasselle as Mary
- Maria Ford as Caitlin
- Jay Richardson as John
- Gerrit Graham as Arthur
- Richard Gabai as Nick
- Johnny Williams as Wasp Collector
- Lenny Juliano as Wise Guy
Background
The film stars Jennifer Rubin as Janice Starlin, Doug Wert as her lover Alec, Daniel J. Travanti as Dr. Zinthorp and Melissa Brasselle as Mary.
The film was released on DVD and VHS through New Concorde in 1998, with the DVD being re-released in 2004.[1] It had also been released on LaserDisc and VHS beforehand, with an alternative artwork design, where the front cover showed the wasp creature.
In various other countries, the film was retitled Forbidden Beauty.
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." The interviewer asked how Rubin got involved in the film, where Rubin replied, "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."[2]
Asking if Rubin was the person in the Wasp costume during the film, she replied "No, but the wasp was incredible." The interviewer also made said that the Wasp has no metamorphosis or transformation, to which Rubin replied "No budget."[2]
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." Asking if Corman ever appeared on set, Rubin stated, "No, but he's a lovely man. His daughter is a lovely woman. And Marta is great person. 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."[2]
The film's two tagline reads "There is no greater wrath than a woman's sting." and "One sting is never enough."[3]
Reception
Iotis Erlewine of Allmovie gave the film two out of five stars.[4]
Obscurehorror.com gave a favorable review, stating. "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."[5]
References
- ↑ "wasp woman: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Rubin". Kitleyskrypt.com. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
- ↑ Wasp Woman. "Wasp Woman: Jennifer Rubin, Maria Ford, Jay Richardson, Gerrit Graham, Jim Wynorski: Movies & TV". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ↑ Jennifer Rubin. "Wasp Woman (1995) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ↑ "The Wasp Woman (1995)". Obscurehorror.com. Retrieved 2012-05-31.