Last Woman on Earth

While not officially listed (on IMDb) as having been worked on by cult director Monte Hellman, he confirmed his involvement on this Corman cheapie during Criterion's Audio Commentary for his own TWO-LANE BLACKTOP (1971). In fact, it was one of four (3 originally helmed by Corman and another by himself) which he was commissioned to extend for TV showings: ironically, these alternate versions have since virtually become the official ones! I do not know which scenes Hellman devised for the film but it was interesting to note the cockfight in the very opening sequence, given that he would make the screen's best depiction of this violent sport with COCKFIGHTER (1974) – which Corman himself would produce! Incidentally, when I acquired the film under review, I was unaware that it was supposed to be in color (though, by all accounts, this had faded anyway in surviving prints): had I known, however, I would have made it a point to check out the version recently broadcast – in the original language – on late-night Italian TV!

Anyway, though the title had always struck me as intriguing (preceding THE LAST MAN ON EARTH by 4 years), the film was slapped with an unflattering – but, in retrospect, undeserving – BOMB rating by the "Leonard Maltin Movie Guide". Curiously enough, the picture it was shot back-to-back with i.e. the recently-viewed CREATURE FROM THE HAUNTED SEA (1961) – another Corman effort 'doctored' by Hellman and with which this shares its three leads – rates *1/2 in Maltin's book but it is a much less rewarding experience in my opinion! Yet one more picture made during this time and using the same locations was the war movie BATTLE OF BLOOD ISLAND (1960; which, however, Corman only produced) – collectively, the films would come to be known as "The Puerto Rican Trilogy" (and they were released as such on DVD as well).

To get back to the matter at hand, the plot of this one is pretty spare: a crooked businessman (Bogie look-alike Anthony Carbone), his girl (Betsy Jones-Moreland) and his lawyer (Edward Wain aka renowned scriptwriter Robert Towne, who also penned this) convene in the South American town to discuss his latest indictment However, while taking some time off deep-sea diving, the entire world population apparently expires from radioactive fall-out (hence the title)! Needless to say, Carbone is not the easiest guy to live with, so Moreland finds solace in the younger and more genteel Wain. This, of course, does not sit well with his 'boss', so we are treated to the usual eternal triangle dilemma albeit set against an apocalyptic back-drop – this idea in itself would have been great, had it not been already dealt with the previous year in THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL (which actually added a racial issue to the fray and is a film I also own but have yet to watch) but, then, Corman was well-known for his shrewd commercial sense in concocting a quick cash-in to the next big thing (notably the reincarnation-themed THE UNDEAD {1957} following hot on the heels of the critically-lauded THE SEARCH FOR BRIDEY MURPHY {1956})!

Unfortunately, the narrative sticks to this one (rather drab) situation and, perhaps in view of the limited setting as well, does not develop further when Corman and Towne could pretty much have gone in any direction imaginable: given Carbone's self-confidence and ruthlessness, would it not have been logical for him to turn megalomaniacal rather than merely jealous! The latter stages, in fact, have him banishing Wain from the hotel they were living in but the latter and Moreland double-cross him by leaving together. He sets out in pursuit and finally confronts his romantic rival in a fortress (a good set-piece), with the unexpected – and strangely moral – ending then relocating to the inside of a church (as would THE LAST MAN ON EARTH itself oddly enough!), where the hero/interloper dies (soon after going blind from having received numerous blows throughout in the region of his eyes!) and the 'blessed' couple can have a go at saving their marriage!

It is certainly not a horrible movie. Leonard Maltin called it a Bomb. It has decent acting and a reasonable plot. It's very talky. Unlike most end-of-the - world movies, there are no efforts to come up with food, resist annihilation, hole up somewhere, although those things are talked about. It begins with what seems to be the death of all the people in the Puerto Rican area where this takes place. The main characters are saved because they were SCUBA diving and had oxygen while others didn't. This opens a whole can of worms. Theere are people all over with oxygen supplied for various reasons. We have three figures, a young wife who feels because of her relationship with her driven husband, she has missed out on much of life. She's really quite stunning. We have the husband, a take-no-prisoners businessman who has crossed the line many times. Finally, we have his nihilistic, whiny attorney who spouts philosophy and poetry, but is rather ineffectual. He and the wife begin a relationship, but even she tires of his ramblings and his negative discourse. There is a sad conclusion with many unanswered questions. Just a rather dull, talky movie.

This sci-fi tale examines the fate and the human struggles involved in the incredible realization that a woman and two men may be the last surviving humans on Earth, following a peculiar catastrophy.

The analysis of selfishness, love, jealousy, money, work, accomplishment and the purpose of life are very well examined. All in the context of these extreme circumstances, the issues become very vibrant. The dialogue and acting help you feel the despair and distress of the characters.

Unfortunately, what could have possibly been one of the best black & white sci-fi movies, fell short- very short- in the end. The ending is uselessly incoherent, improbable and needlessly violent (a horrible fight on top of everything).

Still worth a watch for the first hour of the film.

Harold and Evelyn Gern are "vacationing" in Puerto Rico, with friend/lawyer Martin when while scuba diving they realize that all the world's oxygen has left the atmosphere for some inexplicable reason. For all purposes and intent, they are the last human beings on Earth. What shall they do? Can two men and one woman coexist alone? Watch this film and those questions shall be answered. This film is very creative on many counts and it is a satisfying tale of what life might be like for a handful of survivors in a post-apocalyptic state. The film is a Roger Corman quickie/cheapie, yet don't make that keep you away. Corman is a good director and does know how to get the most with what he is given. The script is written by Robert Towne, and although it has holes, it is inventive and interesting. The acting by Anthony Carbone, Betsy Jones-Moreland, and Robert Towne as the trio is very good. Jones-Moreland is lovely and she gives a very good performance. Above all, the film reiterates the flaws that exist in each of us no matter what circumstances we are thrust into. On a side note, the same director, same crew, same actors, and same locations were used for a film simultaneously made with this one...Creature From the Haunted Sea. A word of advice: AVOID IT!, but see The Last Woman on Earth.

I picked this slab-o cheese on a double billed disc w/ "The Attack of the Bee Girls" @ Meijer for 2 bucks. Now if you are a fan of B-Films, I highly recommend the trip to Meijer. They have a ton of cheap-o DVDs in a big crate. You can get 5 DVDs for 10 dollars. I also picked up a gem called "The Crippled Masters" (a 70s Kung-Fu Revenge flick, and yes, they are crippled). But, I'm getting way off on a tangent...

The Last Woman on Earth is an interesting film with some unintentional laugh-out-loud parts. What's interesting about it is how well mannered they are during the end of the world. There are two males and one female left alive after some kind of doomsday devise is detonated, which is never really explained. In this type of scenario you'd expect people to behave wildly; looting the electronics store, stealing Italian sports cars, driving a tank through the middle of downtown (as I believe this happened in a film called "The Quiet Earth"). Instead they wear pressed slacks, shave, mix cocktails (no one explains how they still have power, let alone ice cubes) and fight over one boat in a harbor full of 'em. This is not Corman's most entertaining film and you will find your attention slipping in and out, but for my money it beats the latest sitcom or reality show.