(classic rock music) - [Narrator] Once upon a time, there was a retired mad scientist who lived in a rundown manor house on the edge of the Pungo Swamp.

(electricity buzzing) (twinkling music) - (laughs) Sorry about that.

Good evening gang.

Welcome to another night of nonsense.

We're grateful to have you tuning in, and we're very grateful to the folks at W-H-R-O who've made this possible.

I've been working on this little party switch so that I can show some special party scenes from years gone by.

♪ Chance, that's when we fall in line ♪ ♪ 'Cause we got the beat ♪ ♪ We got the beat ♪ ♪ We got the beat ♪ ♪ Yeah, we got it ♪ (80s rock music) ♪ Color me your color, baby ♪ ♪ Color me your car ♪ ♪ Color me your color, darling ♪ ♪ I know who you are ♪ ♪ Come up off your color chart ♪ (static whirring) - I hope you're all settled in and ready to enjoy a classic awful movie from awful movie master, Roger Corman.

Join us for a journey back to better days, meaning 1959, where we are proud to present "The Wasp Woman."

It tells the story of a beautiful, powerful businesswoman who develops a serum that may produce amazing or terrifying results.

Oh, and I suppose we need to talk about this monster virus.

(monsters hooting) - What, what monster virus?

What, what, monster virus?

(monsters muttering unintelligibly) - (laughs) Now guys look, calling it a monster virus doesn't mean that it's just targeting monsters.

We all have to be safe.

I want you to go right now and find some place where you feel safe, okay?

(monsters muttering unintelligibly) And our Corman classic begins.

Hope the boys are able to find someplace they feel safe.

(bold orchestral music) (brush crunching) (curious orchestral music) (wasp buzzing) (monsters muttering unintelligibly) (slow suspenseful music) (wasps swarming) - Now, now, don't get nasty my little friends.

Your, your bumping's not gonna hurt you one bit.

Just relax and sleep.

Sleep, sleep, sleep.

And in the morning you'll find yourselves in your new home.

Eh, my pets?

(chuckles) (branch crackling) (suspenseful music) (wasps swarming) (mysterious music) - Good morning, Doc.

What you got there?

- Alvin, I found some new friends.

(hand tapping) Listen.

(wasps swarming) - Wasps?

You better be careful, they can sting a man to death.

- Don't worry, we understand each other.

They know who their friend is.

They can tell.

- Yeah, but they know when you ain't too.

- Ah, nonsense.

If you knew about wasps what I know, you'd have no fear of them, my boy.

No fear.

(laughs) (wasps swarming) - Hey you, give us a hand here.

- Hello there, Mr. Barker.

Yeah, I'm surprised to see you out here in the field, sir.

- Yeah, how are things running at the front office?

- Smooth as honey, Renfro.

(both chuckle) I see here you turned in over a thousand pounds of orange blossom honey and 400 beeswax last month Renfro.

Congratulations, you've made the top of the list again.

- Why, thank you sir.

- Holiday Honey needs your kinda man, Renfro.

You stay with it, and I can see a bright future for you with the company.

- Well I do try to do my best, Mr. Barker.

I try to take my inspiration from the bees, always busy, busy, busy.

- Yes.

Now, what about this fellow, Dr. Zinthrop?

- Zinthrop?

Boy, there's a nut, him and his bees.

You know it wouldn't surprise me someday to see him flapping his arms, taking off after some queen bee with the rest of the drones.

- Mm-hmm, well he's paid to do research on royal jelly.

Haven't had a progress report from him in a month.

- Hm, well, he has a little workshop up there, back of the orange grove, keeps a few colonies.

- I suppose I better go up there and take a look.

(bees swarming) Hey you!

Where's this fellow Zinthrop?

- Oh, he's up where the extractor is, up there.

- Hey, hey, this isn't a honey bee.

These are wasps.

- Wasps?

Who's responsible for this?

- Most likely Dr. Zinthrop, sir.

I told you he was a crackpot.

- Zinthrop, huh?

Zinthrop.

(wasps swarming) Zinthrop.

Zinthrop.

Now look here, Zinthrop, what's all this nonsense about wasps?

- I'm so glad you dropped in, Mr. Barker.

Mr. Barker, I'm on the verge of a great discovery.

- Discovery, what do you mean?

- Well, sir, I almost perfected a new method of extracting royal jelly from the queen wasp.

- According to my figures you're better at extracting funds from the company.

Now look here, Zinthrop, over $1,000 last month for miscellaneous.

- Yes, yes, I know, but Mr. Barker, let me just show you something.

Just let me show you something.

Already I've learned to slow the process of aging.

Soon, I shall be able to reverse it entirely.

- What are you getting at, Zinthrop?

- [Zinthrop] Look, what do you see?

- I see a big dog and a little dog.

- Let's say an old dog and a young dog.

- All right, so what?

- Well, they're exactly the same age.

You see, the little one, Greta, has been given regular injections of my compound from the queen wasp.

- Just like I told ya, Mr. Barker.

- Now look here, Zinthrop, I understand about science and progress and all that, but you were retained to extract queen bee royal jelly.

Now it's a health food, a cosmetic.

It's not a miracle drug or an elixir of youth, that sort of thing is impossible.

- Oh, but Mr. Barker-- - Zinthrop, I, I'm sorry, Zinthrop, but I'm gonna have to let you go.

You just don't seem to be one of the team.

You understand?

Good luck, I'm sure you'll fit in somewhere.

- Fit in.

Somewhere.

(wasps swarming) (suspenseful music) Oh, now, now, don't worry, my friends.

We shall find a home somehow.

Somewhere.

Oh, but you sound impatient.

I know, it's your babies, huh?

They're hungry and they must be fed.

Uh, now, now how would you like a nice, juicy little caterpillar, huh?

Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't ya?

There.

Now you must eat and be strong because, well, we've got a lotta work to do together.

Yes sir.

(sighs) A lot of work.

(static buzzes) (hard rock music) ♪ Let's rock ♪ ♪ Boys in bikinis ♪ ♪ Girls in surfboards ♪ ♪ Everybody's rockin' ♪ ♪ Everybody's fruggin' ♪ ♪ Twistin' 'round the fire, havin' fun ♪ (80s pop music) ♪ If you don't like ♪ ♪ The world you're living in ♪ ♪ Take a look around you ♪ ♪ At least you got friends ♪ ♪ You see, I called my old lady ♪ ♪ For a friendly word ♪ ♪ She picked up the phone ♪ ♪ Dropped it on the floor ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, is all I heard ♪ ♪ Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down ♪ ♪ Oh no, let's go ♪ ♪ Let's go crazy ♪ ♪ Let's get nuts ♪ (static buzzes) - Yeah, we got a lotta work to do, that's right.

Hey gang, I'm just trying to get my little party switch to behave.

You know, kinda like you do with your little ones.

I'm glad to see the monsters found a safe place in the movie to hang out.

(bees swarming) (mysterious music) (monsters grumbling) (electricity buzzes) Oh, I guess that's still not right.

- No, it isn't.

This could not be more of a disaster.

- (laughs) Hello, Sybil, welcome to Madblood Manor.

Really enjoying the movie, huh?

- Are you kidding me, Max?

How could anyone enjoy watching anything when we're dealing with this awful cologne-a virus.

- Uh, excuse me, I, I must've misheard what you said.

Did you just say the cologne-a virus?

- Yes, it's that awful virus that makes you smell like you have been dipped in a vat of cheap cologne.

- Oh, so that's why we're not hosting a big party this year, huh?

- That's right.

And it's also why we have to wear a mask and stand six feet away from each other.

- And that makes even more sense.

Or should I say (sniffing), more scents?

(sniffing) Huh?

- Max, how can you make jokes about this?

- My dear, for 46 years now, that's what we do, it's why we're here.

We all need to giggle now and then.

- Not now.

People cannot be laughing now.

- Okay then, let's get back to the movie so we can get acquainted with our leading lady, mm-hmm.

No?

Okay.

- No.

(daunting orchestral music) - As you can see, gentlemen, sales for the last fiscal quarter have dropped.

14 1/2 percent.

There's not been a corresponding drop in our competitor's sales.

I trust one of you gentlemen has a satisfactory explanation for this decline.

Not one little suggestion, gentlemen?

We'll start with you, Thompson.

As public relations manager, no doubt you have some faint glimmering of what's happening to Starlin Products.

Well, Thompson?

- Well, you see, I uh-- - I had no idea you were such an excellent public speaker, Thompson.

- Oh, I'm sorry Miss Starlin, I guess I'm not feeling very well this morning.

- [Janice] I'm sorry you aren't.

- I think I can tell you why Starlin Products are falling off so badly, Miss Starlin.

- We're listening, Lane.

Where would you put the responsibility for this decline?

- On you, Miss Starlin.

- I imagine you, have arguments to support that contention?

- We've all been looking at it for the past 20 minutes.

The most convincing argument is right on that graph.

May I show you?

Thank you.

Now right here in April is when Starlin's sales started falling off.

- Very clever of you, Lane.

- Would you mind waiting until I finish, Miss Starlin?

- [Willis] That's enough, Lane.

- Relax, Willis.

My apologies for the interruption, go on.

- Thank you.

Now as I said, sales began to fall in April.

But the reason for the fall was back here in February.

The Starlin products have always been thought of as something of a, a modern miracle in the cosmetics trade.

A firm built to a multi-million-dollar-a-year business on the strength and appeal of, of one person, Janice Starlin.

From the beginning right through until February of this year, only one woman's face was used to advertise those products.

Your face, Miss Starlin.

The public have come to accept you as a, as a symbol.

Now, after 16 years, they see a different face, they, they don't trust it.

They feel cheated.

The simple fact is that Starlin Cosmetics should have Janice Starlin's picture advertising them.

Well that's about all I've got to say.

- And a darn good job of saying it, too.

- I agree.

- Yeah, Lane makes a lotta sense on that score, Miss Starlin.

- I think I've had enough flattery for one morning, gentlemen.

(intercom buzzes) It was a very convincing argument, Lane.

- [Women Over Intercom] There's a Mr. Zinthrop to see Miss Starlin.

- There's only one small factor you've overlooked.

Not even Janice Starlin can remain a glamor girl forever.

- Miss Starlin?

- Yes, Mary?

- There's a Mr. Zinthrop in reception, he says he has an appointment.

- Thank you.

Well, this has been a very informative get together.

That'll be all for now.

Oh, Arthur?

- Yes, Miss Starlin?

- I'd like to see you in my office, please.

- Sure, Miss Starlin.

Take it easy, hot shot.

Something on your mind, Miss Starlin?

- You've done some work on royal jelly, haven't you?

- Oh, a little.

- Are there any real therapeutic values in it?

- Oh, I'd say so.

Course a lot depends on each individual's reaction to the stuff.

- What do you mean?

- It's just that no two people react in precisely the same way.

One man's meat's another man's poison.

- Oh.

But you think royal jelly can be beneficial in some cases?

- Queen bees set a lotta store by it.

- I'll accept that as an affirmative answer.

Supposing a more powerful form of royal jelly could be obtained, from the queen wasp for example.

I mean, well do you suppose that might have some rejuvenating effect on a human being?

- I'd stay away from wasps if I were you, Miss Starlin.

Socially the queen wasp is on a level with the black widow spider.

They're both carnivorous, they paralyze their victims, and then take their time devouring them alive.

They kill their mates in the same way too.

Strictly a one-sided romance.

(Janice chuckles) - Well I'm, I'm not exactly interested in, in the love life of the queen wasp.

I want your opinion on the possibilities of using enzyme extracts from royal wasp jelly, commercially.

- Well, if you want an honest opinion, Miss Starlin-- - Of course I want an honest opinion.

- Then my advice is forget about it.

- (sighs) Thank you, Arthur.

- Any time, Miss Starlin.

(door clicks shut) - Have Mr. Zinthrop come in.

- Yes, Miss Starlin.

Uh, you can go in now, sir.

- Oh.

It's about time.

(telephone rings) - Janice Starlin Enterprises.

- Miss Starlin?

- Yes, how do you do?

I'm afraid I won't be able to give you much time, Mr. Zinthrop.

- But it is I who give you the time, Miss Starlin.

Oh yes, plenty of time I give you.

10, maybe 15 years I give you.

- I want you to understand one thing very clearly, Mr. Zinthrop.

I expect absolute proof of what you claimed in your letter.

Tangible proof, not words.

- (chuckles) Such proof you shall get, madam, and more.

But I think I better show you in the laboratory, yes?

- All right.

Come along.

(mysterious music) (static buzzes) (electronic pop music) ♪ Sca-do-ba-da ♪ ♪ Ooh, sca-do-ba-da ♪ ♪ Ooh, sca-do-ba-da ♪ ♪ We were at a party ♪ ♪ His earlobe fell in the deep ♪ ♪ Someone reached in and grabbed it ♪ ♪ It was a rock lobster ♪ ♪ Ah ah ah ah ♪ ♪ Rock lobster ♪ ♪ Ah ah ah ah ♪ ♪ Rock lobster ♪ (static buzzing) - My party switch is starting to work a little better.

It just needs one more tool.

(laughs) Well gang, it's been an odd year for all of us out here in Pungo.

Huh, Mayor Kline won another election, and immediately tried to erect a statue in honor of himself for the occasion.

This upset a few people as to where he wanted to put the statue, and they had their own suggestions as to where he could put it.

(laughs) - Delivery boss, package.

- Thank you.

Okay, maybe it's my, it's my package.

The last little part I need to finish my party skullback switch.

'Cuse me, gang.

What a minute.

(sighs) What on earth?

That's not my remade part.

- [Monster] Max, Max, add the water.

(high-pitched vibration) (Max gasps) - Thanks.

Boy, that's so much better.

(laughs) - Count LaCougar, what on earth are you doing here?

- Well Max, I couldn't miss your big Holiday Inn party.

You know, with the world like it is, it's easier for me to dehydrate myself and then ship we to wherever I want to go.

(laughs) I was this engrossed in seeing the old country.

Poor Grenfield, he's going to have to go back the hard way.

(signs) Hey I wanna ask you.

What do you think about this dreaded Bolognavirus?

- Excuse me, did you say Bolognavirus?

- Yeah, you know, everybody's talking about it, this massive virus that makes me uh, not wanna bite just anybody, 'cause I don't wanna taste bologna, ew.

- (laughs) Well that is something to be afraid of, and we certainly have plenty of bologna.

(sighs) Settle down here and watch the next act of the movie with me.

We get to watch the serum working on a test creature.

(suspenseful music) - I don't believe it, it's not possible.

- That sounds excellent.

- Yeah.

- [Zinthrop] Look.

- They look terrible.

Why don't you put them out of their misery?

- Madam, you asked for proof.

Please be kind enough to look at proof you asked for.

May I proceed?

Thank you.

Now come, come, come, come little Gertrude.

(dramatic music) Ah.

In a few minutes, madam, you shall see a miracle you shall not believe.

Oh, no tricks.

(chuckles) You may look if you like.

I have no tricks.

Well, don't look at me (laughs), I'm not changing.

(somber orchestral music) (mysterious music) - Well I don't believe it.

It's not possible.

- I see you do not believe one animal, so I bring two.

I uh, I show you again, yes?

- Yes, I must be sure.

- Yes, madam.

(slow somber orchestral music) There.

(bold mysterious music) Well, Miss Starlin, does my uh, secret have interest for you, yes?

- What are your terms, Mr. Zinthrop?

- First, I must have a laboratory equipped with everything I need for my research.

If we're successful, well, I ask for a little percentage.

But I must get full credit for my discovery, that is most important to me.

- I'll have Gordon draw up the contracts.

- Oh, contracts.

Contracts I do not need.

You give me your word, good enough for me.

- You amaze me.

Frankly, when I received your letter I thought you were just another eccentric.

But there was always a chance you might not be.

Then you walk in here and show me nothing short of a miracle.

Two miracles.

Then you say that you'll accept my word that I won't cheat you.

- You won't.

I know you're a good woman, even if you do not like other people to know it.

However uh, my formula may not be good for human beings, I have not tested yet.

- You will, on me.

- Oh, no, no, no, no, there might be danger.

- Those are my terms, Mr. Zinthrop.

Janice Starlin will be your next guinea pig.

- Very well.

Though it may take a little time to prepare a sufficient extract, a week, maybe more.

- I'll make whatever arrangements you may need for your equipment.

- Thank you, madam.

Now I see how you built all this.

(chuckles) - I'm very close to losing it, Mr. Zinthrop.

Maybe working together we can save Janice Starlin Enterprises, maybe even make it bigger than ever before.

- Yes.

Oh, yes.

- I'm sure the next three months we will see a rise in Starlin sales that will surpass anything we've dared imagine.

Mr. Zinthrop is working on the final stages of a development that will revolutionize the cosmetic industry.

He's to have a free hand in his experiments, and will be answerable to no one but myself.

At the moment, I cannot divulge the nature of Mr. Zinthrop's experiments, but I can assure you it will bring worldwide recognition to Janice Starlin Enterprises.

(energetic orchestral music) - I dunno, this Zinthrop must be the granddaddy of all confidence men to have taken a gal like Starlin.

Now why doesn't somebody wise her up?

- Like you, for instance?

Bill, what makes you think Zinthrop really isn't on the level?

After all, we don't even know what he's working on, it could be very legitimate.

- You're as bad as she is.

Oh, women.

- Men.

Every time you're stuck for an answer you always come up with, "Women."

You're not getting out of this one so easily.

I'd like to know why you think Zinthrop really hasn't got something.

- Well you can call it male intuition if you like.

It's just that there's something about this whole business that doesn't smell right.

The private laboratory, the secret experiments, Zinthrop himself.

The only thing that's missing is a genie with a lamp.

- You better leave the intuition to me.

- Wow.

So now Susan's getting injected.

I think this movie is starting to move.

We might yet get a creature to join us.

Mr. Corman is putting it in gear.

(laughs) - Hello, Max.

Happy Halloween.

- Wow, widow Payne, it's wonderful to see you.

And you look awesome as always.

- I put it together myself because of the sew-your-own-a virus.

- Oh.

- Everything I make is homemade now.

I sure hope they come up with a sewing serum soon.

- So do I, so I can hear you say that again.

- Say what?

Sewing serum soon?

- Widow, I'm guessing your current situation has made it necessary for you to alter the way you're doing business.

- Yes, I am now on six channels.

I can Zoom, I can skate, I can shimmer, I can shake.

It's the new way of doin' business.

- It, it's sorta scary but-- - Yeah?

- But a few years ago I had my drugstore made earthquake-proof.

- Earthquake-proof?

- Oh yeah, yeah.

So I guess when the earthquake comes, I'll just go in there and be safe.

- Oh, Mr. Hunter, I'm so frightened.

Will you protect me?

(monsters grumbling and laughing in background) I've got it.

We could switch the brain for another one until the new bowl is ready.

- Where we gonna get another brain?

- There's lots of brains over at the university where I work, I could switch it tomorrow.

(Max laughs) Okay, this is really a scary story.

It's about the time my fourth husband almost cut me out of the will.

(mummy yelling drowns out man speaking) - Wait a minute, buddy, I'm-- (box clunks) (glass shatters) A minute, I'll save you.

Max, you know that monster that carried the widow Payne up the stairs-- - Yeah?

- Next to the door?

I come up banging on the door, trying to break it down, and the widow Payne yelled out, "Come back tomorrow."

- And you've got a lot to sell.

I'm so glad we got to see you.

- Well, in the movie, what happens next?

Does the woman's youth serum work?

- Please stick around and you can see for yourself.

- Oh good.

(mysterious music) - What is it, Maureen?

- It is you, Miss Starlin?

- Of course it's me.

- It's amazing.

- Why it's wonderful.

- You look marvelous.

- I said that will be all for now, gentlemen.

(scary music) (cat screeching) - Ah-oh.

- Back to the movie.

- Mr. Gleason, of accounting, on line three.

- What is it Gleason?

I sent you a memo.

Mr. Zinthrop has carte blanche to order anything he requires.

It is no concern of yours, Gleason.

Make out a check for the full amount.

(phone dial clicking) - Sue?

Mary.

Can I talk to Mr. Lane a minute?

Bill?

Hey, listen, Gleason just got a bill for $2,300.

Zinthrop.

Enzyme extracts.

(intriguing music) - Yes, yes, yes, we are making progress.

There's great improvement in the tissue.

- Why is it taking so long?

It's the third week.

- You forget, my dear, there's more to you than a little kitten, no?

Besides, there's a difference in metabolism.

- Why not increase the dosage?

Wouldn't that step up the process?

- Patience, my dear, patience.

We must tread lightly, with care.

Your arm, please.

(curious orchestral music) There.

You know, I've been experimenting with a concentrated solution of the enzymes, oh a great deal more powerful than the solution I've been using in your injection.

- [Janice] Oh?

- Yes.

And I think, I think it will be better for lotions, as an emollient lotion it'll make estrogenic creams and all such products old fashioned.

My dear, Starlin will be world famous, bringing you to millions.

- If you're right, Zinthrop, there are going to be a few red faces in my advertising department.

- But I am right, why your own mirror will tell you that I am right.

Why, you look at least five years younger than you looked three weeks ago.

(laughs) - I know.

(suspenseful music) - Will you let me talk to Bill a minute, Sue?

Thanks.

Bill, I think I've got it.

Yeah, I'm a nervous wreck.

At lunch, at lunch.

- You'll have to translate for me, Coop.

I'm not very good at that technical stuff.

- Pseudo-technical.

Our Mr. Zinthrop's a very capable confidence man from what I read in this letter.

He claims he can stimulate the processes of rejuvenation through the use of enzymes extracted from wasps.

- Oh, for (sighs).

- Well, what are you two Sherlocks going to do about it?

- Right now I don't know.

- Frankly I'm getting tired of the whole business.

That woman's so intent on holding back time she's ready to fall for the first phony line she hears.

Wasps.

- Bill.

- Face the facts, Mary, Janice Starlin has built her whole life on youth and beauty.

Now that she's losing them, she's scared to death.

Right now she's on cloud nine with that quack Zinthrop, but I'd hate to be around when she comes back down to Earth.

- Well then you can let her down easy.

I think we owe her that much.

- Yeah.

Well, what are we gonna do?

We can't just let Zinthrop build up her hopes and then knock the props out from under her.

- How can he do such a terrible thing?

Poor Jan.

There must be something we can do before it's too late.

- He's got a mighty convincing argument.

Very impressive to the layman.

10 to one he's got a record just as impressive.

There are ways to find out.

The answer might be right here in our hands.

- Heads.

- I'm gonna keep this letter for a day or two.

- Wait a minute, suppose she finds out it's gone?

I'm the only one with access to that desk, she'll know I took it.

- Well, that's a chance you have to take, Mary.

- I think we can be pretty sure that Coop knows what he's doing, hun.

- Well come on, young lovers.

(curious orchestral music) (tense orchestral music) (mysterious music) (tense suspenseful music) (bold orchestral music) (cat screeches) (intriguing orchestral music) - What is it, Maureen?

- If it is you, Miss Starlin?

- Of course it's me.

Who did you think it was?

- Well you, you look so different.

- Finish your nails.

(telephone ringing) Maureen.

- Hmm?

- I think your phone is ringing.

- Oh, yes, Miss Starlin.

Good morning, Janice Starlin Enterprises.

- Gentlemen, Janice Starlin Enterprises is about to start on the most wide-spread publicity campaign in the history of the cosmetic industry.

Our slogan will be, "Return to youth with Janice Starlin."

When Mr. Zinthrop arrives, there will be a press interview and all questions regarding the rejuvenation process will be referred to him.

That'll be all for now, gentlemen.

- It's amazing.

- Why, it's wonderful.

- Absolutely amazing.

- You look marvelous.

- I said that will be all for now, gentlemen.

Good morning.

Oh not you, Mary.

Wait a moment, please.

- Yes, Miss Starlin.

- Mary, isn't it wonderful?

It's a miracle, a wonderful, incredible miracle.

- But we were so worried about you, we really thought you were in danger.

(Janice laughs) We even went to plotting how to rescue you from Mr. Zinthrop.

(Janice laughing) It all seems so silly, it seems ridiculous.

- Oh Mary, Mary, how old do I look?

Tell me, how old?

How old do I look?

Tell me!

How old?

- 23?

Maybe 22?

- Uh, well, (chuckles) that's how old I was when I started Janice Starlin Enterprises.

Do you realize what that means?

I'm back where I started, 18 years ago.

With what it took 18 years to accomplish, it's like a dream.

(curious bouncy orchestral music) (dramatic orchestral music) (cat screeches) (daunting orchestral music) (cat screeching) - Three years ago, a bunch of quacks were treating people with monkey glands.

Seemed to work for awhile, and then the deterioration set in.

- That's awful.

Do you think that will happen to Jan?

- I don't know.

If I could just get inside of his lab and find a breakdown on what he's using.

(tense somber music) (bold orchestral music) (curious orchestral music) (suspenseful orchestral music) (knocking at door) - Mr. Zinthrop.

(tense music) Mr. Zinthrop?

Mr. Zinthrop?

(slow intriguing orchestral music) (music intensifies) (Zinthrop sighs) (loud thud) (dramatic music) - And Zinthrop gets hit by a car.

See, I told you things were gearing up, huh?

- Hi Doc, and howdy-do?

(both laugh) - Dusty, the "lives next door" crop duster.

How you be?

- I be careful, Doc, that's how I be.

You know what?

Not only is my girlfriend taking the pill, but so am I.

That's how careful I'm being.

- Yes, we all, we all have to be careful now.

- Yes, we do.

- We do, yes, uh-huh.

We have to be careful now, that's right.

So, what have you been up to?

- Well, I've been trying to save all those old coins I've been collecting in bags up in my attic.

- Save 'em from what?

- Come on, Doc, you've heard about this.

The coin owners virus.

(Max scoffs) All those little coins could be in real trouble.

- Yeah, just like we are, huh?

Okay, let me finish this adjustment.

Here we go.

I wanna try out the new party switch.

The new feature will restore the old.

So we got to watch some really vintage party footage.

Let me throw the switch.

- Can we restore it to young?

(laughs) (static scratching) ♪ Got to play your dues if you wanna sing the blues ♪ ♪ And you know it don't come easy ♪ ♪ You don't have to shout or leap about ♪ ♪ You can even play them easy ♪ ♪ Forget about the past ♪ ♪ And all your sorrow ♪ (static squeaks) - I want you to find him, Mr. Hellman.

I don't care what it costs.

- We'll find him all right.

Sooner or later we find them all.

- Time is vital, Mr. Hellman.

Every hour he's gone, it means more than you can possibly imagine.

- Well, you haven't given me very much to go on.

No home address, no former employer, no phone.

This is just like starting from scratch.

- Mr. Zinthrop wasn't a, a conventional employee.

He didn't go through regular personnel.

- Uh-huh.

You say he came here about a month ago.

Well how did he come here, Miss Starlin?

He just didn't walk in off the street, did he?

- The letter.

Right here in my drawer.

- [Les] Maybe uh, one of the other drawers?

(drawer clicks shut) - So that's what she meant.

- What who meant?

(bold orchestral music) Miss Starlin?

The letter's been taken and you think you know who took it, is that right?

- My secretary, Miss Dennison.

- [Les] You got her address handy?

- Her phone number.

- It might be better if I busted in on her cold.

This way she'll have a chance to prepare a story.

- I know what I'm doing.

- All right.

- Mary?

Janice Starlin.

- Before I went to lunch I made a duplicate copy of Mr. Zinthrop's letter.

I was going to take that one to Bill and Mr. Cooper at first but then I thought that the original would be better.

- Have you got the copy?

- Yes, it's in my desk.

- Get that copy, Miss Dennison.

- Uh-huh, 946 West 73rd Street, Manhattan.

Yeah, that's right.

Get right on it Jerry and check back with me as soon as you can.

(adventurous orchestral music) - [Monster] Oh pickups, oh good.

(yelling) (adventurous orchestral music) (dramatic orchestral music) (telephone ringing) - Yeah?

Oh?

You're sure he's our boy?

Uh-huh.

- Is he?

- Central Emergency.

Mm-hmm.

Right.

Well, it looks like we've got him.

There's a John Doe down at Central Emergency, auto accident.

There's no identification on him, but he was wearing a lab smock and fills Zinthrop's description.

- Mary, get my coat, and Lane, get a cab downstairs.

Is he badly hurt?

- Head injury, general contusions to the body.

- He's had a severe injury and there's definite brain damage.

Just how much, we can't tell us yet.

- How long before you'll know?

- It's hard to say Miss Starlin.

- Who's the best man for this kind of injury?

- Well, there's several top specialists.

- Get the best I'll take full responsibility for the expenses.

- Yes, Miss Starlin.

(mysterious music) - I don't know Arthur.

I think it best we wait.

- It's been three days since the accident, Jan. And no sign of improvement, he's still in a coma.

You heard what the doctor said.

He may never regain consciousness.

And even if he does who knows how badly his brain has been damaged.

- Well (sighs), I'll give it another 48 hours.

If he doesn't regain consciousness by then, well, you can take over the laboratory, Arthur.

- But, Janice.

- It's my decision.

(deep somber strings music) - It's incredible, right in front of our noses.

He can't have used it all.

I could run a qualitative analysis.

(tense hurried orchestral music) (dramatic orchestral music) (curious bouncy orchestral music) (radio static whirring) - Phony thing.

Always goes on the fritz right in the middle of a good program.

(slow somber music) - I want this to be the biggest advertising campaign in the history of cosmetic advertising.

Every newspaper and magazine in the country will be flooded with our new slogan, "Return to youth with Janice Starlin."

- Excuse me uh, Miss Starlin.

- What is it, Thompson?

- I think we should be a little conservative, Miss Starlin.

Uh, cosmetics are one thing, medications another.

We're liable to run into trouble.

- Yes.

All advertising copy will be cleared through your office.

- Well, it's a touchy business, you know?

- Max is right, Miss Starlin.

- You don't have to second the motion, Lane.

I want one thing understood very clearly now, gentlemen.

Janice Starlin Enterprises is going to bring the most fantastically sellable product ever developed by modern cosmetics to the public.

And I don't intend to be restricted by timidity on the part of my own staff, is that clear?

- Are you all right, Ms. Starlin?

- It's just a, just a little headache, Mary.

I'm fine.

- Can I get you something?

- I'm all right, I'm all right, thank you.

- I have some aspirin in my purse.

- It's all right, Mary.

Well, that'll be all for now, gentlemen.

(serious orchestral music) - Hi.

- Hi, sweetie.

- Gee, I sure hope they give the girls working at Starlin first crack at that new stuff.

Imagine being 18 again.

- I guess if it can take 15 years off Starlin, it can take 10 off you.

- What do you mean 10?

- Face it honey, this is Maureen you're talking to.

- Yeah?

Well if I were you I'd take a double dose, then maybe Irving wouldn't watch television so much.

- So who says he looks at it?

- I can't imagine what else he does.

- Three guesses.

- Say, has Cooper come in yet?

- Uh-uh.

Missed the board meeting this morning.

I bet Starlin's having a fit.

- He should worry.

Uh-oh, see you later.

- Bye, honey.

(upbeat jazz music) - Hi, pretty puss.

You know where um, Miss Starlin's office is?

- Suite number one.

- (chuckles) La-di-dah, the Duchess of Flatbush herself.

- How'd you like to have this phone wrapped around your ear?

Wise guy.

- That's more like it, sister.

(upbeat jazz music) Suite number one.

- Thank you.

Miss Starlin.

- Oh, what is it, Mary?

- Is there anything I can do?

- Yes, is uh, is Mr. Zinthrop's room ready?

- Uh-huh, the nurse is fixing the emergency equipment now and the ambulance is due any minute.

- Be sure to let me know when it arrives.

Oh, Mary, please, before you go, could you see if you could work that thing?

- Oh, sure.

I've seen lots of these.

- Oh (chuckles), simple enough.

That'll be all, Mary, thank you.

- All right.

- We've had a room especially made over for you, Mr. Zinthrop, and Miss Warren has a room adjoining yours, so there'll be someone near you at all times.

- Thank you, thank you.

- When you're feeling better, Mr. Zinthrop, there are a few things I'd like to discuss with you.

- Good, good.

- We'll do everything we can to make you comfortable, Mr. Zinthrop.

I'm going to spend the nights here in my office, so if anything develops, I'll be on hand.

- Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Starlin.

Only, only there's some, something (grunts) I must tell you, something important.

But, important but (groans), I cannot remember.

(Zinthrop groans) - I'm sure it can wait.

Right now the main thing is to get you back to health.

(Zinthrop groans softly) Take good care of him, Miss Warren.

- Yes, Miss Starlin.

- Sure is funny about old Coop.

- He misses one day of work and you're ready to call missing persons.

- Well, he's a pretty conscientious guy, honey, if he felt sick or something he'd have called in.

- Relax, he'll probably be in bright and chipper in the morning.

- Oh, am I interrupting something?

- Oh, we were just having a little coffee klatch, Miss Starlin, we were talking about Mr. Cooper.

- What about Mr. Cooper?

- Well, about his missing the meeting this morning.

Nobody's been able to reach him all day.

- I wouldn't worry about that, Mr. Cooper's been here a long time.

Probably feels he's entitled to take a day for himself now and then.

- That's what I've been trying to tell Mr. Lane.

- Oh, by the way, Miss Starlin, how is Mr. Zinthrop?

- Oh, fine.

In a few days we'll uh, start the layouts for the campaign.

- Well, I'm ready when you are, boss.

- Look those over.

- Hey, Bill.

- Hm?

- Don't go getting any ideas about the boss.

- Who me?

Don't be silly.

I just want her to know that I'm an eager member of the team.

Still, she is looking a lot younger these days, isn't she?

You think Zinthrop would give you any of those treatments?

- Hey.

- You're gonna break the watch or something.

(static squealing) ♪ Keep the fire burning tonight ♪ ♪ See just what comes into sight ♪ ♪ Don't take forever ♪ ♪ Take it through the night ♪ ♪ And believe the sun ♪ ♪ Is gonna rise up ♪ ♪ That's all you need to go on ♪ (static squealing) - You know, he didn't do that many cameos, but that was Roger Corman as the doctor in the emergency room, yeah.

- He's had a severe injury, and there's definite brain damage.

- I hope the boys are able to get back outta the movie okay.

How awful would it be to get stuck in 1959?

(bright orchestral music) On the other hand, if you're gonna get stuck in time, somewhere, yeah.

(monsters grunting) So, there're my boys.

Everybody okay?

- Yeah, yeah.

(monsters grumble) - [Brain] Hey, Madblood, are you ever gonna make any sense outta this?

- Brain, thanks for takin' the roll in.

This is a Roger Corman movie, pal.

Making sense is not part of the equation.

- [Brain] I heard everyone is suffering from a Miley Cyrus virus.

- I've got to make you a better way to listen.

This virus is putting a kink in your cables, I think.

- [Brain] Hey, let's talk about what is really important.

- [Max] Okay.

- [Brain] All of our favorite restaurants and bars are closed or closing.

- [Max] Oh.

- [Brain] Jimmy Jones, Handsome Bisquick, Topical Smoozie, Cut a Shark, Down in Kitty Hawk, Bruce-O's, closed.

It's a disaster.

- Yeah, that list of yours is a disaster.

(chuckles) Let's get back to the final act of "Wasp Woman," so Mr. Corman can wrap things up with one of his happy endings.

As the guard listening to the radio enters the lab with a gun.

(radio static whirring) - No guarantee on this too.

(persistent buzzing) (radio static whirring) (dramatic music) (guard screams) - Huh?

What, what's that?

What?

- Lie back now, you just had a bad dream.

Lie down now, go to sleep.

- That, that horrible sound.

Like, like a nightmare.

- Just a bad dream.

Lie down.

Just a dream.

- Tell Mr. Green that personnel is his responsibility.

I have other things to think about than worrying whether the night watchman walked off the job.

- Well that's just it, Miss Starlin, Mr. Green feels that the watchman never left the building.

His lunch pail and his raincoat are still in the basement.

- I don't wanna hear anything more about it, Mary.

- All right, Miss Starlin.

- We'll use these.

- Oh, fine.

- She swears she heard a scream from one of the other floors.

Zinthrop heard it too but she convinced him he was having a bad dream.

- Oh, maybe they both were.

- No, it's not funny anymore, Mary, there's something going on in that building, and I'm gonna find out what it is.

- How?

- Have a look around Cooper's lab, for one thing.

After that I, I don't know.

Hold it steady.

- Bill, this is crazy.

We could really get in trouble.

(Bill grunts) - I won't tire him, Miss Warren, but, it is important.

- All right, Miss Starlin, I'll be in my room.

- Zinthrop?

Zinthrop, you've got to help me.

Something's happening.

Something's happening to me, I can't control it.

- There is something I must remember but I, I can't.

- Try to think.

The wasp enzymes, the extracts you were, you were experimenting with before the accident.

Try to think.

- I can't.

(pages flipping) - Well this is Zinthrop's notebook, Mary.

Notes on his experiments with Jan. - Well how did Cooper get ahold of it?

- I don't know.

If only Coop would show up.

Mary, look.

- It's Mr. Cooper's pipe.

- Don't you get it?

He'd sooner go out without his pants than leave that pipe behind.

He's still somewhere in the building, I'd bet a year's salary on it.

- If he is-- - He's dead.

And the night watchman.

(foreboding music) - There's only enough left for one more injection.

One more.

You've got to make more, Zinthrop.

Help me, Zinthrop.

- (crying) Please, leave, my head, oh my head.

- Zinthrop, help me!

- Oh, what?

- [Janice] Help me!

(tense suspenseful music) (Zinthrop yelling) (adventurous music) (persistent buzzing) (Miss Warren screams) (persistent buzzing) (tense music) - Is he asleep?

- I don't know.

- Bill, don't touch him.

- If anybody knows what's behind all this, it's him.

Mr. Zinthrop?

(dramatic orchestral music) - Bill.

Look at.

(slow foreboding music) - Well, her coat, purse and everything else are still in there.

She wouldn't go out without her purse.

- Bill, let's get out of here, I don't like it.

- The cat, the cat.

Must warn her.

- Mr. Zinthrop.

- Who, who are you?

- Now there's nothing to be alarmed about, Mr. Zinthrop, I'm Bill Lane and this is Miss Dennison, Miss Starlin's secretary.

- Miss Starlin, the cat.

- What about a cat?

- Must warn her.

The injections, must not take any more injections.

- Is Miss Starlin in danger?

- Terrible danger.

I, I must-- - Take it easy, Mr. Zinthrop, you're still pretty weak.

Mary, see if you can get Jan on the phone.

- All right.

All right.

(telephone ringing) - There's no answer.

(telephone rings) Oh, Miss Starlin?

- Is that you, Mary?

Where are you?

- We're in the building.

We're in Mr. Zinthrop's room.

Something's happened down here-- - Mary, let me talk to her.

Hello, Miss Starlin, this is Lane.

- Why are you and Mary still in the building?

It's after 10.

- I must help, I'm responsible.

- Don't let him get up, Mary.

- I, I must help.

I must-- - I can't explain now, Miss Starlin.

- I must, I must go.

- Hang on to him.

- I must help.

You must not hold me back, I'm-- - Don't worry, Mr. Zinthrop, we won't let anything happen to Miss Starlin.

(Zinthrop groans) - [Bill] Hello, hello, Miss Starlin.

- What's going on down there?

- Stay in your office, I'll be right up.

Keep an eye on Zinthrop, honey, I'm going upstairs.

- Oh no, no no.

The insect, the insect!

- Take it easy, Mr. Zinthrop.

- You do not understand.

Miss Starlin, she's in danger, I, I must warn her.

- Look, I'll have to stay here, you go for Jan. - Okay.

- When you get up there, call the police, you can't get outside on this phone.

- All right, all right, I'll hurry.

(suspenseful music) - Not the police.

No, not the police.

(suspenseful orchestral music) - Miss Starlin!

Miss Starlin!

(adventurous orchestral music) Miss Starlin, it's me, Mary!

Miss Starlin, please, open the door!

(bold orchestral music) - What is it, Mary?

- Miss Starlin, please, will you please call the police?

- What for?

- Look, I don't have time to, nevermind.

- Mary!

I'm sorry I had to do that.

There's no time for hysteria.

Now what is this?

- The enzymes, the enzymes, they're, they're going crazy.

- Sure, Mr. Zinthrop, now you just relax and take it easy, everything'll be all right, we'll take care of those, whatever you call those.

- You do not understand.

You do not understand, That girl, you shouldn't have sent her upstairs.

She's in danger, you must stop her before it is too late.

- Okay, as soon as the cops get here, we'll take-- - Oh, you fool, you fool.

Miss Starlin will kill her and tear her body to shreds.

- Miss Starlin, kill Mary?

- Miss Starlin is not a human being any longer.

The enzymes have changed her.

She will destroy the girl as an evil wasp would destroy her enemies, and then devour the remains.

(Zinthrop sighs) - Then Bill found Mr. Zinthrop's notebook in Cooper's desk.

(sighs) No, there's no mistake, we've got to call the police, now.

- Now, Mary, you're just getting a little excited.

Who could possibly wanna hurt Mr. Coop... - I don't know.

But it's not only Mr. Cooper.

What about... (persistent buzzing) (bold tense music) (Mary screaming) (persistent buzzing) (adventurous orchestral music) (Mary screams) - I told you you were too late.

- Mary!

(adventurous orchestral music) Mary!

- Wait, I'll, I'll go with you.

- I can't wait, I'm gonna take the stairs.

- Oh look.

Laboratory, she's going to the laboratory.

- Going up the stairs, thank you.

(bold orchestral music) Mary!

Mary, Mary!

(bold orchestral music) (glass shatters) (persistent buzzing) (tins clattering) (persistent buzzing) (adventurous orchestral music) (Zinthrop yelling) - Help!

Help!

(Zinthrop yelling) (persistent buzzing) (adventurous orchestral music) Get away from her.

(bottle shatters) (persistent buzzing) (bold orchestral music) (Bill yelling) (light somber music) - Mary.

Oh, Mary.

(curious music) (ominous orchestral music) (bold orchestral music) - I do love a Corman happy ending.

That's right, yeah.

So, we got to carefully enjoy a number of sci-fi gatherings this year, including "Monsterfest."

(upbeat digital music) Fun.

(upbeat techno music) (relaxed piano music) - Welcome to "FantaSci."

(people chattering) (relaxed digital music) (relaxed rock music) - And we caught up with a number of old friends via Zoom.

- So, doctor.

Did anything interesting happen this year?

(Max laughs) - Well, it was certainly great smashing fun to catch up with everybody, that's for sure.

Be safe, my dear.

And to all of you watching this, please be safe out there.

We need all you to join us again.

Good night, gang.

And thanks for turning us on.

(upbeat pop music) ♪ When I passed you in the doorway ♪ ♪ Well, you took me with a glance ♪ ♪ I should've took that last bus home ♪ ♪ But I asked you for a dance ♪ ♪ Now we go steady to the pictures ♪ ♪ I always get chocolate stains on my pants ♪ ♪ And my father, he's going crazy ♪ ♪ He says I'm livin' in a trance ♪ ♪ But I'm dancing in the moonlight ♪ ♪ It's caught me in its spotlight ♪ ♪ It's all right, it's all right ♪ ♪ Dancing in the moonlight ♪ ♪ On this long, hot summer night ♪ ♪ It's three o'clock in the morning ♪ ♪ And I'm on the streets again ♪ ♪ I disobeyed another warning ♪ ♪ I shoulda been in by ten ♪ ♪ Now I won't get out 'til Sunday ♪ ♪ I'll have to say I stayed with friends ♪ ♪ Oh, but it's a habit worth forming ♪ ♪ It's a means to justify the ends ♪ ♪ Dancing in the moonlight ♪ ♪ It's caught me in its spotlight ♪ ♪ It's all right, it's all right ♪ ♪ Dancing in the moonlight ♪ ♪ On this long, hot summer night ♪ (upbeat pop music) ♪ And I'm walking home ♪ ♪ The last bus is long gone ♪