She Devil

I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid on the Sunday afternoon TV matinee. In the film, a terminally-ill woman will die unless an experimental drug is administered by the scientist who developed the serum, if I remember correctly, from some type of insect or spider (or was it some deadly plant?). Her life is saved, but she has developed extraordinary methods of survival and becomes seemingly indestructible. What can the scientist do to solve this situation? In many ways, this film is typical of the 50's "horror" genre as seen in its low-budget, B-list tier of performers and the opinion that a man can save a woman, but who can save a woman from herself (especially one who's developed into some kind of monster)? As a kid, I remember being really impressed with a scene where, to avoid being caught, the woman (having developed those incredible survival techniques), mentally changes her hair color from brunette to platinum blonde (much like a chameleon). I remember thinking that would be really cool to be able to do that! So while this film is no awards-contender, it's a memorable quasi-horror title from the 50's!

They created an inhuman being who destroyed everything she touched! The woman they could not kill!

This film was written, produced and directed by Kurt Neumann, best known for "The Fly" (one of his next features). He was also allegedly considered for the director's chair on "The Bride of Frankenstein", though I must say I am glad James Whale got the job.

Worth noting is that the source material came from Milwaukee native Stanley Grauman Weinbaum, who sadly died at age 33 and never saw his work brought to the screen. Weinbaum, though not well known today, was influential in the 1930s and H. P. Lovecraft praised his work.

While all of the film is quite good, the best part is probably the awesome sequence of a car driving off a cliff... no dummies were killed in the making of the movie!

Under-the-Radar Low-Budget Science Dabbler.

Familiar Story, from Noted Author Stanley G. Weinbaum ("The Adaptive Ultimate").

A "Miracle" Cure-All is Injected into Terminal Tubercular Mari Blanchard.

She Instantly Recovers but with Positive/Negative Side-Effects. Invulnerable with Chameleon Like Body Manipulative Powers (changing hair-color in a whim),

Complication Abound Including a Personality Change into a Socio-Pathic Narcissist.

The Movie Skirts Film-Noir in Tone and Style.

It is also one of those Misogynist Movies, Typical of the Era, with Pre-Determine Roles for Women. Rigid,Conservative Hive Mentality Machinations.

With Her New-Found Abilities She will have None of that. "Try and stop me."

Mari Blanchard's Angular Odd Beauty Enhances Her Role and She Dominates All Her Scenes.

She is Co-Starred a Pre-"Maverick" Jack Kelly and Albert Dekker who is Always a Presence On Screen.

The Sleek Black and White Cinematographer is by the Famous Karl Struss with a Career Dating Back to F. W. Murnau

The Film with All its Intriguing Ingredients Contributing to Make This...

Worth a Watch.

I too recall this picture when I saw it in a movie theater in Ashtabula, Ohio in the 50's. What I found fascinating about it was the Dr. who was in love with this patient and how difficult it was for him to finally make the decision to give her a shot of the anti-serum to stop the violence. I remember how she willed herself to change and become a blonde when she was in the changing room, how the Dr. stole some hair from her hair brush so he could have it analyzed and when she is given the final anti-serum and reverts back to the sweet brunette he loved. Even as a 8 year old,it touched me and made it quite memorable, even in these times. Would love to see it re-done as well. Also, does anyone know if there is any way to get a VHS of this picture?

Two scientists (Albert Dekker and Jack Kelly) treat a young female patient's medical trauma with an injection that has a profound effect: the woman's black hair becomes luminously blonde, she gains an irresistible sexual magnetism, but she also becomes an impulsive thief and killer possessed with the instinct to get whatever she desires at any cost. Mari Blanchard is ideal in her role as the gorgeous femme fatale, who has also gained an immunity and cannot be stopped even by her own doctors who've created her. Albert Dekker (popular to fans for his title role of DR. CYCLOPS) spews a lot of hokey dialogue in his remarkably self-assured manner. The younger Jack Kelly is his assistant hovering on falling under Blanchard's spell. Another fun 1950s 'B' . **1/2 out of ****