Mesa of Lost Women (1953)

What's Happening: Mad doctor in Mexican desert creates evil sexy spider-women
Famous For: Weird combo of action, beatnik, and exploitation films
The first half hour of the independent one-of-a-kind Mesa is wonderful 50s camp. Lyle Talbot (of various Ed Wood films) delivers a stern quasi-philosophical voice-over narration: "In the continuing war for survival between man and the hexapods, only an utter fool would bet against the insects." The mad doctor has an eyepatch and a mole. The spider-women have hairstyles that fall somewhere between bangs and dreadlocks. Their skimpy costumes resemble nightgowns mixed with togas and lingerie. Characters include a loopy gun -toting scientist and a Chinese servant who speaks only in proverbs.

Unfortunately, the second half hour drags at a snail's pace. The simplistic dialogue and silly plot are not amusing enough to keep things interesting as the characters creep foolishly step by step through the desert-jungle. Humor is nearly non-existent. The final 10 minutes are good - as they must be in this kind of film - but be prepared to sit patiently before those minutes arrive. Other good things: Mesa shows interest in insects before Them! It depicts a human-insect hybrid before The Fly. The doctor, played by Jackie Coogan of the Addams Family TV show, is neither a raving maniac like Bela Lugosi in Bride of the Monster nor a cold-hearted autocrat like John Carradine in The Unearthly; he seems genuinely pleased at his bizarre accomplishments.

Goldweber, David Elroy (2012-06-14). Claws & Saucers: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy Film: A Complete Guide: 1902-1982 (Kindle Locations 48863-48889). David E. Goldweber. Kindle Edition.