Before I viewed this as part of a collection called CULT CAMP CLASSICS – VOL 1, I had not seen QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE in over 40 years. I first saw it on TV in black and white without realizing that it was originally shot in color and in Cinemascope. Even as a kid I could see that it was less than stellar. Seeing it now restored to all of its 1950s glory (or as much as a DVD can show), I am amazed at how good it looks. The use of color is bold, the photography is well done, the use of sound is imaginative and the sets are.. well they look better in color even though the cheapness is impossible to disguise.
I was amazed at the incredibly sexist dialogue. If there is a hell for feminists, this is the movie that would be shown. I believe the film is meant to be a comedy as would be indicated by having comedy director Edward Bernds (THE THREE STOOGES, THE BOWERY BOYS) helm the project. If it is a comedy then someone forgot to tell leads Eric Fleming and Zsa Zsa Gabor in that. Fleming plays it straight and with Zsa Zsa you can’t tell the difference. As the Venusian Queen, Laurie Mitchell gives the best performance. it’s also a plus to have her along for the guest commentary on the DVD.
How you react to QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE will be entirely up to you. It must be seen to believed. I can see many people being offended by the dialogue and the film’s storyline that a woman who banishes men in order to maintain peace is an evil despot. Of course they do have her wanting to destroy the Earth so that’s it OK to overthrow her. The film does have great camp value and it is great to look at in this restored edition but I’m sure that Messrs Bernds & Co. would be amazed that what was considered disposable in 1958, is still talked about after 60 years.
The Capsule Critic 