A Quick Look: VOODOO WOMAN (1957)

   VOODOO WOMAN was one of American International's attempts to replicate the success of THE SHE CREATURE, with much of the same cast returning for this jungle adventure. Touch Connors is hired to act as guide for a group of treasure hunters seeking the gold of a voodoo tribe deep in the African jungle. Marla English is the tough broad who's really calling the shots, though she lets her stooge Lance Fuller pretend he's in charge. Marla, by her violent and self-serving nature, is the perfect subject for scientist Tom Conway, who is living with the tribe while trying to perfect his formula for an indestructible female monster! Paul Blaisdell recycles much of the She Creature suit with the addition of a skull-like head. Not the best-remembered of AIP's 50's creature flicks, but a fun B just the same. Like a number of 50's AIP pictures, it would be remade a decade later as a color TV movie from director Larry Buchanan. His version was re-located to the deep South of the U.S., and the sought treasure was now oil. Being less of a direct, line-for-line retread than Buchanan's other remakes, CURSE OF THE SWAMP CREATURE stands more on it's own as a movie. The late Francine York supports John Agar, whom Buchanan completely wastes. Back to VOODOO WOMAN, though, the film has some nice atmosphere with it's dark jungle sets. The monster is barely visible in the film, following the winning formula of keeping THE SHE CREATURE in the shadows. Fans likely got a better look at the beast by means of the stills hung in the lobby! Touch later came to greater fame as Mike Conners of the popular teleseries Mannix.