From Ape to Acquanetta- It’s “Captive Wild Woman” Tonight!

Okay- back by popular demand- tonight on MeTV we present the first film in the "Ape Girl" series- starring the lovely Acquanetta as the mutated monkey miss- also known as the "Captive Wild Woman"!

Animal trainer Fred Mason returns to the circus with a load of new animals he has acquired while on safari- among them is Cheela, an ape that seems to understand what is said, and has a friendly relationship with its "captor"! Fred plans on using some of the big cats he's brought back for a new kind of act- so far, untried- in which cats of different species will all be in the big cage at once! A dangerous proposition, but the zoo manager gives it the okay.

Meanwhile, Fred's lovely girlfriend Beth is dealing with more human problems- her younger sister is having health problems, and Beth decides she needs the help of a specialist- Dr. Sigmund Walters, whose extensive work with victims of glandular diseases has met with great success and plaudits from the scientific community. He appears to take great interest in curing Beth’s sister Dorothy-but he actually has his own fiendish agenda- involving the transplant of human glands into animals!  He feels Dorothy could be a perfect-if unwitting- donor.

Things only get worse when he drops in on Beth at the circus, and witnesses the intelligent ape Cheela in action.  He forms a dastardly plan to steal the big ape , whose strength and intellect would make it the perfect subject to survive- and thrive- after his gland transplant experiment.

He carries out his plan- the result being that Cheela "evolves" into a beautiful woman who doesn't speak, and seemingly does not recall her life as a simian! She is dubbed Paula Dupree by the doctor- who arrogantly takes her to visit the circus to chart her reactions. When a chance accident reveals that she has almost supernatural power over the dangerous jungle cats in Fred's act- Fred has her hired, on the spot, as his assistant for the new act.

The big act is a success- but there is an undercurrent of jealousy-Paula still feels the attachment to Fred from her days as an ape - and when he sees him nuzzling with Beth, it infuriates her- and causes her to revert to a savage state somewhere between human and ape! This "Ape Woman" and her primitive instincts bring a whole new danger, far beyond that of the wild cats, to Beth and Fred!

This first leg of a three-picture series stars the"Venezuelan Volcano" (more about that on our show) the lovely Acquanetta as Paula Dupree. Horror great John Carradine is the scheming doctor out to accelerate evolution; perennial Universal leading lady Evelyn Ankers is Beth, and Milburn Stone plays Fred- an interesting choice due to his resemblance to a certain real-life animal trainer, which we'll explain. We’ve got more information for you about our cast, film facts, and a quick look at Acquanetta’s life story.

One thing  we regret is some of the animal footage used in this film, made before animals in entertainment were protected by certain laws- we will talk about that, and hope that viewers understand that we do NOT condone animal cruelty.

"Captive Wild Woman"  is unleashed tonight on MeTV at 10 pm eastern/pacific, 9 central, or check local listings , or at www.metv.com for channel and time where you are. Our Chicago viewers get another look (?!)  at "Invisible Agent" at 11 am on WCIU, the U!

Don't forget that I'm appearing at Flashback Weekend next weekend , both Saturday and Sunday,in Rosemont, IL - with the Sunday event being a screening of "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" -with some Sven shtick and audience participation! Make sure you keep up with all my upcoming public events under the "appearances" tab here on our website!

Run away with us to the circus- and a three-ring circus of Ape Girl antics- tonight on MeTV!