By Ernie Magnotta
The 1970s gave us a plethora of B-movies
which showed nature rising up and attacking humans. Fun films such as Bug (1975), Grizzly (1976), Day of the
Animals, Empire of the Ants and
Kingdom of the Spiders (all 1977) flooded both 70s drive-ins and hardtop
theaters. In addition to these creatures, bees seemed to get pretty pissed off
and they appeared in the 70s Made-for-TV films; Killer Bees (1974) The
Savage Bees (1976), as well as
the theatrical works The Bees and the
all-star disaster flick The Swarm
(both 1978).
However, in 1973, there was one classic, but
somewhat forgotten B-movie (pun intended) which featured our honey-making
friends in a more unique way than just having the insects attack humanity. This
film, titled Invasion of the Bee Girls,
had a bit more imagination and, luckily for us, it has just been released on
Blu-ray.
Solidly directed by Denis Sanders from a fun
script my Nicholas Meyer (who disliked certain changes that were made to his
screenplay), Invasion of the Bee Girls
(aka Graveyard Tramps for its 1981
re-release) deals with government inspector Neil Agar (played by the late,
great William Smith) who investigates a series of male deaths which, at first,
seem to be from heart failure due to sexual exertion. Agar soon learns that a
crazed scientist named Dr. Susan Harris (the lovely Anitra Ford) has created a
bee serum mutated by radiation that transforms local women into monsters who
mate with men before killing them. (Yes, I laughed out loud as I wrote that
sentence.) Can Agar stop the doctor’s horrific plans or will he too succumb to
the irresistible seduction of the bee girls?
Invasion of the Bee
Girls
is an enjoyable movie that moves along at a pretty brisk pace and, at 85
minutes, never overstays its welcome. It’s also filled with wonderful
performances from a veteran cast. You may not recognize some of the talent by
name, but trust me when I tell you that you’ll immediately recognize their
faces. In addition to William Smith and Anitra Ford, we have terrific turns
from Victoria Vetri, Cliff Osmond, Wright King, Katie Saylor, Beverly Powers,
Anna Aries, Cliff Emmich and Jack Perkins.
The entertaining horror/sci-fi creature
feature also benefits from cinematography by the legendary Gary Graver and a
memorable music score from Emmy Award winner Charles Bernstein.
Kino Lorber has released Invasion of the Bee Girls on a region one Blu-ray in its original
(1.85:1) aspect ratio. It is number 24 in their Kino Cult Series and this high
definition transfer looks terrific. The disc also contains theatrical trailers,
radio spots and an audio commentary by film historians Alexandra
Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson, as well as a collectible slipcover featuring
the original poster artwork. Check it out. Buzz-buzz!
Click here to order from Amazon
