The Snake Woman

Snake Woman (1961)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Rare and incredibly silly horror film has a mad doctor trying to save his dying wife by injecting her with snake venom. She eventually becomes pregnant and gives birth to a little girl who grows up to transform into a snake or does she? This isn't a very original idea, not even for 1961 but what really kills the film is some of the worst acting I've ever seen. The acting provides many laughs but this goes against the serious mood of the story trying to be told by the director. A few better performances would have made this much more entertaining.

I fully recognize that cinema generally and horror specifically leans on willful suspension of disbelief from the audience, yet some titles go a step further and it can be hard to surrender that disbelief. As this one opens we're greeted with a herpetologist who believes he's found a global panacea in snake venom; a midwife, played oh so melodramatically by Elsie Wagstaff, who embraces some vague mysticism and associated powers; and the immediate formation of a confoundingly unthinking mob, because Oh No, Someone Might Be Different (well, at least that last part is sadly easily believable). This is to say nothing of the tiresome recurring motif that trades on the false popular notion of snakes being hypnotized by music. Thanks to Sidney J. Furie's mindful direction, Buxton Orr's flavorful score, and some swell imagery even these early scenes are lent some welcome vibrancy, but right from the get-go 'The snake woman' is asking a lot of us as viewers. By this point, I should note, we're already one-third through the runtime of barely over one hour, which doesn't leave a slot of time for the rest of the plot focusing on the titular character.

Scenes of dialogue and plot development feel unwieldy and a tad forced, and at other no few times the pacing seems to lag. I do appreciate the art direction, the cinematography, those stunts and effects that are employed, and the loving shots of snakes that we routinely get. With some exceptions, by and large the cast give solid if unremarkable performances. And, well, then there's the remainder of Orville H. Hampton's screenplay, accordingly rewritten in part by filmmaker Furie. The plot leans on a conflict between modern science as represented in investigator Prentice, and the haphazard kluge of invented superstitions cobbled together to conjure midwife Addie, the credulous townspeople, and the titular curse. We viewers are supposed to see the Snake Woman of 'The snake woman' as the villain, an evil to be feared, maligned, and defeated, yet in reality she's the most sympathetic character here. After all, throughout the length we see the townsfolk reacting violently to innocent animals, and to people whose only crime is that in some way they don't fit in with everyone else; even that one character who seems to come closest to "Getting It" is only partway there. True, maybe Hampton and Furie intended this inversion after all, but the film isn't built that way.

In the very least this 1961 feature boasts a more earnest air of horror about it than some other contemporary fare. Some thoughts woven in here, in one manner or another, contrast sharply with the whole in their ill-fitting insincerity, yet by and large the ideas on hand are firm foundation for a tale of folk beliefs and a town beset by death. I think those ideas could have been strengthened with a stronger and slightly different focus, and in turn there would be greater atmosphere, tension, and suspense. With some revision, the movie could have gone from being only "okay," somewhat middling mid-century filler to being something genuinely rich and compelling. For all that, I don't think 'The snake people' as it exists is bad. However, it's only a fraction of the picture it might have been, and it's readily apparent that only enough care went into its creation to make it stand on its own two feet, and not enough to make it resonate and endure. I think this flick is passably enjoyable and worthwhile, though certainly something for a light, lazy day and far from a must-see; would that it had been shaped more mindfully from the start, in which case it could have been more meaningful and satisfying.

A funny little camp flick set in early 20th century northern England.Has stock in trade, flaming torch carrying villagers,a mad scientist,an eye-rolling doctor,an old crone with "second sight",a handsome young detective wearing a sidearm and a neat chick who, by metamorphosis, can change from stunning girl to stinging cobra in a trice! High point of the film for me was the way the snake girl shed her skin-complete with her clothes-how modest can you get? It is a bit of a pity she wasn't afforded the opportunity to explain why she has such a nasty biting habit. On the scientific side(what's that?),players comment on the cold but the poikilothermic snake lady seems pretty active. A great little flea pit movie!

"The Snake Woman" is a brief (only 68 minutes long), painless, silly, and quite amusing British horror film with some decent atmosphere and capable performances. It's not memorable, overall, save for its sexy "snake woman", but it's entertaining stuff. It's low budget enough that the monster action is all off screen, and it's got a talky script, to boot.

An early credit for Canadian born director Sidney J. Furie (whose diverse career has included things such as "The Ipcress File", "The Entity", "Iron Eagle"...and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace"), it's not strong on story, but it has its moments. In a 19th century village, a herpetologist (John Cazabon) is treating his wife's mental illness by injecting her with snake venom (!). The result is their daughter is born with cold skin and blood, and other reptile like tendencies. A doctor (Arnold Marle) spirits the kid away and gives her to a shepherd (Stevenson Lang) to watch over. 19 years later, the doctor returns from an extended stay in Africa to find that villagers are perishing from snake bites. A Scotland Yard detective (John McCarthy) is put on the case.

The highlight of the piece has to be the presence of beautiful Susan Travers, who plays our snake woman. Her appearances in the woods have just the right slightly spooky touch. McCarthy is a moderately engaging hero who of course believes in sane, routine, believable answers to questions, but realizes that there's something genuinely strange going on here. Geoffrey Denton offers likable support as the retired colonel Clyde Wynborn who asks for the Yards' help. As befitting a character of her type, Elsie Wagstaff is a hoot as the witch-like woman Aggie who knows the girl and the village are "cursed". As one can imagine, the resolution to this is rather abrupt, which prevents it from being completely satisfying.

Still, one could do much worse than this and even those who dislike it won't have to put up with it for long.

Six out of 10.

Dr. Horace Adderson (John Cazabon) injects his pregnant wife with cobra venom (!) as part of her "treatment" for insanity. Adderson's callous act results in his wife's death, and his child being born with reptilian traits. Further tragedy occurs due to the superstitions of the backward locals.

Raised in secrecy, the baby grows up to be THE SNAKE WOMAN. As an adult, Atheris (Susan Travers) returns to inflict her deadly vengeance on the townsfolk. Scotland Yard gets involved, dispatching Charles Prentice (John McCarthy) to investigate.

As supernatural revenge yarns go, this one isn't bad. Ms. Travers is convincing in her slithery role, helped by her naturally beguiling features. McCarthy is also good, coming across as logical and amiable.

Co-stars Geoffrey Denton as the wise Col. Wynborn...