VOODOO WOMAN 1957 (SHOUT TV)

It has been about 12 years since I saw this film, then someone told me it was available to watch on Shout TV and I decided to indulge myself.

I know a lot of people don't like this 50's horror gem, but I do. I just wish it would be made available on Blu-ray here in the US before I die.

Tom Conway stars as Dr. Roland Gerard, a madman who is conducting strange experiments deep in the jungle with a native tribe. His wife Susan (Mary Ellen Kay)is pretty much held hostage by her husband while he conducts experiments that turn native women into monsters.

Enter gold seeking, sadistic and cold blooded Marilyn Blanchard (Marla English) and her friend Rick Brady (Lance Fuller) and their guide Ted Bronson (Mike Conners) and things really get out of hand. Marilyn will do absolutely anything to obtain gold and then even includes killing her partner Rick and forcing her guide to help her under threat of being killed.

Marilyn and Ted arrive at the home of Dr. Gerard and Ted quickly makes friends with Gerard's wife and both plot their escape. Marilyn, however is someone that the good doctor has been looking for a very long time. He needs a totally cold blooded woman who can kill without remorse in order to create a being that is totally under his control and indestructible.

Gerard succeeds in turning Marilyn into a monster. but things don't go as planned. Even while transformed into a hideous monster Marilyn still has a deep need for gold. She kills the doctor and falls into a smoking pit in the middle of the jungle while trying to retrieve a golden cup.

Ted and Susan arrive at a small bar where the story opened and the bar tender tells them that he doesn't believe Marilyn is dead as she is too evil and strong willed. We are treated to a final shot of her emerging from the smoking pit once again transformed into the hideous monster.

This film is one of my childhood favorites and I will always have a soft spot for it. As an adult I have never lost my love for this film. To me anyway the film has a lot going for it including the fact that Edward L. Cahn directed. The monster is a refurbished "She Creature " costume with a flatter chest and a new head created by Paul Blaidell and then there is Marla English.

Marla was one of the sexiest women to EVER appear in front of a camera and her presence in this film gives it a boost. You can see this on Shout TV in a beautiful print if you so desire. I have no idea how long it will be available.

A Highly Recommended 50's horror treat from American International Pictures.