Queen of Outer Space (1958)
"Queen of Outer Space" (1958) is a sci-fi cheese fest set in the far-off future of 1985, where an all-male spaceship crew crash-lands on Venus. Here, they discover a planet entirely populated by beautiful women in short skirts and skimpy outfits. The crew soon find themselves in the clutches of the Venusian women, ruled by the once beautiful but evil Queen Yllana. She wears a mask to hide disfigurement, caused during a war started by men who she now despises and she plans to destroy Earth. The Earth men's macho, testosterone-fueled bravado is as high as the the ladies hemlines and they soon spring to action to try to prevent Earth’s destruction.
A highlight of the film is the women’s unlikely attire. The Venusians flaunt perfect hair, makeup, and 1950’s fashions, despite living in an advanced technical civilisation supposedly free from the influence of men. The film showcases an endless parade of leggy ladies sashaying through their space-age corridors, making one wonder if Venus' primary export is pin-up calendars. Naturally the Earth space jocks soon romance the Venusian lovelies, encouraging rebellion.
Zsa Zsa Gabor stars as Talleah, a rebel scientist who opposes Queen Yllana. Her performance is a delightful mix of charm and camp, delivering her lines stylishly in an exotic Venusian accent.
The film’s ripeness is off the scale, with cringeworthy, laugh out loud dialogue. The special effects are classic 1950’s featuring toy rockets, gaudy papier-mâché landscapes and a rubber space monster. Yet, it’s this very cheesiness that gives "Queen of Outer Space" its charm.
Overall, "Queen of Outer Space" is a glorious example of 1950s sci-fi camp. It's a relic from a time when space was the final frontier for exploring both the cosmos and casual misogyny. Watch it for the laughs, the eye candy, and a nostalgic trip back to an era of delightful cinematic absurdity.
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