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The core concept is outstanding, primed for storytelling in film or TV production. The plot, as written, is pretty great in my opinion. I can honestly say I really like this! It definitely bears the look and feel of a TV movie, however, and in all fairness, I wonder if it wouldn't have been best reserved for a more abbreviated tale in a version of 'The Twilight Zone,' 'The Outer Limits,' or the like. This is true partly on account of the special effects; if made in the 80s onward, with better depiction of the bees, maybe it would have been well suited for such a longer format after all. It's also true that the first scene demonstrates one difficulty of the feature - it's rather difficult to visualize the primary horror element (or at least, it was in the 70s), so much like genre fare of the 1940s, the horror in 'Killer bees' is more thematic than actual. This is no specific major flaw, mind you; plenty of solid pictures have been made of such a tenor. One can readily understand, however, how this may not appeal to all comers, and perhaps hasn't been received well generally.

Make no mistake, the production values have not aged well; in terms of both audio and visual quality, a famous Alka-Seltzer commercial of 1969 ("Mamma mia, that's-a spicy meat-a ball-a!") is the best comparison. Beyond this, some of the dialogue in John William and Joyce Hooper Corrington's screenplay is a little kitschy - geared for Prime Time audiences, maybe, and not best storytelling judiciousness. Yet even recognizing the medium, by and large I think this is written and directed well, including the characters and the plot. By all means this is an example of a genre flick that's "fun-scary" and not "scary-scary," lacking the significant tension, suspense, or atmosphere that would elevate the title to another level. But that's okay if you ask me; not every horror film needs to be chilling or thrilling to succeed. Such as it is, I see plentiful worth in 'Killer bees' as the length progress, and abnormal goings-on accumulate and ramp up.

The cast is solid; Gloria Swanson is unquestionably having a blast as severe Madame Van Bohlen, and Kate Jackson shows swell capability as a lead. Uncomplicated as the whole affair is, I think the contributions of crew behind the scenes are quite fine (again noting the limitations of the special effects in this instance). I find no fault with Curtis Harrington's direction. Truth be told, I don't see any especial weakness here. Are there ways in which the tale could have been made more engaging, compelling, haunting? Yes, absolutely: I love the ending as it is, as delicious as those of some of my favorite horror movies - but to be sure, a longer and more definite character arc would have gone a long way to boosting the picture. All the same, though falling short of its best potential, I had a fantastic time watching 'Killer bees,' and it met my expectations just so. How much favor this finds with other viewers will mostly depend on willingness or ability to engage with TV movies, but if the toned down sensibilities are no obstacle, this is roundly entertaining in my book!

Killer Bees (1974)

** (out of 4)

Edward van Bohlen (Edward Albert) brings his friend Victoria (Kate Jackson) back to his family estate years after leaving them behind. Before long the friend begins to realize that some local deaths might have been caused by the bees that Madame Maria von Bohlen (Gloria Swanson) has been raising.

KILLER BEES is another made-for-television horror film from director Curtis Harrington but sadly it's not one of his best. I guess you really can't blame him too much because there really hasn't been a good film dealing with killer bees. you can watch THE DEADLY BEES, THE BEES or even THE SWARM and you'll see that they're all pretty bad in their own way. This film here at least has a couple good performances but sadly there's just not enough going on throughout the 73-minute running time.

The biggest problem with the film is the fact that it's basically a lot of family drama and too much talking. I lost count of how many scenes had Edward talking about leaving his family and the friend talking about how they must discover the truth. There's just way too much boring melodrama here and none of it really has anything to do with the main plot. There are a couple bee attacks but they're not very good as the special effects are certainly lacking.

The one saving grace were the actors. Both Albert and Jackson were good in their roles as was Roger Davis in his role as the family doctor. Then you've got the legend Swanson. I'm not going to say she gave a good performance but it was at least an entertaining one as she certainly sold the role with a somewhat over-the-top performance.

The first five minutes are unintentionally hilarious. The rest is a melodramatic convoluted script with Gloria Swanson doing a terrible impersonation of Marlene Deitrrich.

Terrific TV-made vehicle for movie icon Gloria Swanson, a compact and beautifully-shot melodrama-cum-thriller. Gloria plays an outré California oddball living on a vineyard ranch and possessing a strange hold over the bees that hover there. Grandson Edward Albert and girlfriend Kate Jackson (who were dating in real-life at the time) come for a visit and get more than they bargained for. Not "The Swarm", but better; school buses and flower paraders are not interjected, and there is no mass hysteria. Credit director Curtis Harrington with the panache, and Gloria Swanson with the campy kicks--she's mah-vah-loss. It's an atmospheric mood-piece, and the rural locales are refreshing.

KILLER BEES is usually mainly remembered for being one of the last roles of film legend Gloria Swanson's career (although she remained very much in the public eye long afterward and did not pass away until 1983). Swanson aficionados may be disappointed on first viewing that hers is a showy but decidedly supporting role in a film dominated by the young Kate Jackson but it's a memorable performance.

Kate Jackson and Edward Albert are a young San Francisco couple living together while he is in college. Jackson talks Albert into bringing her to visit his mysterious family estate - which he hasn't been to for a few years - in California's vineyard country. Jackson learns the Van Bohlens are an extremely reclusive lot who don't like visitors and besides the vineyards raise a rather ominous bunch of bees, some of whom just so happened to have killed a trespasser on the estate the same day as the couple's arrival. Jackson attempts at warmth toward Albert's father (Craig Stevens) and brothers are coolly rebuffed and then there's his imposing immigrant grandmother Gloria Swanson who is literally the queen bee, not only of the family but creepy little buzzers that are all over the place. The question is does this family control the killer bees or is it the other way around?

Somewhat reminiscent of Hitchcock's THE BIRDS, KILLER BEES is an effective if uneven suspense horror, it's main problem being an obviously rushed production leading to a few less than smooth takes and a few weak performances among some of the supporting players (even among the extras many of whom seem only mildly interested as the threatening bees begin to engulf the church were funeral services are being held). Jackson is quite good in this and Edward Albert even better. Albert, handsome but with an bit of an odd vibe about him despite being a "good guy", is very well cast. Craig Stevens and Roger Davis don't have that much to do but give an air of chilly menace and certainly Miss Swanson gives her all to this imposing matriarch and creates a memorably Gothic character. There are several very well staged suspenseful scenes, notably the funeral (effective despite the extras) and particularly the climax as the bees take over the house while Jackson is home alone and Swanson's interactions with the bees (whom are like pets to her) are superbly filmed. Definitely worth seeking out if one has interest in the genre or cast.