Looking back, killer insects were a pretty popular villain in the ‘70s Horror and Science Fiction cinema. From cockroaches in 1975’s Bug and Earthworms in 1976’s Squirm to ants in 1977’s Empire of the Ants… there were plenty of creepy crawlies causing discomfort. However, one of the biggest to make their way to the silver screeners was the killer bee in films like 1974’s Killer Bees and 1978’s The Bees and The Swarm. Each created images of terror with swarming violet bees, but let us not forget one of the first in the ‘70s era to utilize the creature film was 1973’s Invasion of the Bee Girls.
A bit different from the other titles mentioned, Invasion of the Bee Girls (re-released in 1981 as Graveyard Tramps) story does not exactly use the killer bees themselves as the main antagonistic, but more the tool of a Scientist named Dr. Susan Harris using radiation-mutated bee serum to create an army of beautiful women to seduce men to death. Quickly putting her evil plan into play, one by one, men are being knocked off after making love to these femme fatales.
A compelling enough storyline, Invasion of the Bee Girls is filled with humor and satire that draw attention to the 1970s sexual revolution, where women sought to break away from the historical dominance and control of men. This is considered; with Invasion of the Bee Girls, the women are the villains or the heroes (depending on your point of view) seeking revenge on men. Brought to life with amusing dialogue, bizarre situations, and sexuality, it is a great mix of Horror and Sci-Fi that fans of this type of film should enjoy.
Starring William Smith (known for everything from 1980’s Any Which Way You Can to 1982’s Conan the Barbarian) as government agent Neil Agar, opposite him you have Julie Zorn (portrayed by Victoria Vetri), up against the crazed Dr. Susan Harris (played by Anitra Ford who famously known for her work as a model on The Price Is Right). The film also features recognizable ladies, including Katie Saylor as Gretchen Grabowski, Beverly Powers as Harriet Williams, and Anna Aries as Nora Kline.
Originally released in June of 1973, while it was not a box office success, it has earned a cult-like following in the decades since, and that is why it is exciting to learn a new Blu-ray edition is coming out through Kino Lorber. Released several times in the past for home media, as recent as 2017, Scream Factory put it out as a standalone Blu-ray, but now Kino Lorber plots to do so as well on January 21, 2025, as part of their Kino Cult Collection.
A very cool collection of more obscure films that Kino Lorber has included, Invasion of the Bee Girls, is number 24, followed by Blood and Lace, which is number 23. Something to consider if you want to invest in each title as a part of the Kino Cult series: this edition of Invasion of the Bee Girls offers a lovely high-definition Blu-ray transfer that is sure to please. Beyond this, it has theatrical trailers and radio spots, plus new audio commentary from Film Historians Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson, as well as a lovely slipcover sporting the classic artwork.
Overall, the Kino Lorber Blu-ray edition of Invasion of the Bee Girls is a perfect addition to older films that often go unnoticed. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this release 4 out of 5 stars.
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