Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews: ROGER CORMAN'S BLACK SCORPION

[@TheBrandonTenold]

Anyone else surprised that the Black Scorpion movie produced by Roger Corman ISN'T the 1950's monster flick?

[@kingtanichi]

If only it could have been! No, but seriously, 1957 was the year Corman really came into his own as a producer -- he has NINE producer credits that year, including a bit of arthropod-themed schlock called "Attack of the Crab Monsters"!

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

🤘😜🤘

[@stefanfilipovits21]

Yeah! As soon as I saw the words “black scorpion” I was like “…again?”

[@Deverud]

@@kingtanichi which, for the record, is an absolutely terrible movie with some of the goofiest monsters ever :D

[@mitchellulrich930]

Nope!

[@torchwoodcanaria]

An asthma-themed supervillain? Should have called him Vlad the Inhaler!

[@a.m.pietroschek1972]

Yeah, and totally not nudging at #DarthVader either...

[@comixproviderftw_02]

*rimshot*

[@jamesduncan6729]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@robwalsh9843]

Dude sucked as a supervillain, even for a Corman film.

[@torchwoodcanaria]

@@robwalsh9843 🤣🤣🤣

[@tec5x5]

The Catwoman movie wishes it was good as Black Scorpion

[@joegahan7055]

Catwoman wishes to be as good as *any* movie

[@DamonCzanik]

It never ceases to amaze me how studios can spend millions, hire Oscar winners, expensive visual effects and still turn out such utter shit. At least Roger Corman had the excuse of a tiny budget.

[@theblocksays]

Hell by 90s standards this was better then BarbWire.

[@keelychow4569]

That crappy show on The CW Batwoman wishes it was as good as the Black Scorpion show.

[@tuckerbowen4626]

The way they both just needlessly give away their secret identity to the villain for no reason was oddly similar

[@jackten2787]

"and so the city can rest easy, knowing that the TONED ASS CHEEKS of Justice are looking for it" this is GOLD

[@Canadamus_Prime]

So the villain is basically The Asthma Monster? Also Black Scorpion's costume is way better than the Halle Barry Catwoman's.

[@vertigo4236]

That's not really an achievement...

[@tuckerbowen4626]

They're both just as good at keeping their secret identity from the main villain, though

[@bryedtan]

OMG the Asthma Monster now has a cinematic version and yet there is still no decent cinematic version for Galactus.

[@pathatfield2543]

As is the movie.

[@jaggerguth4391]

The TV Series Has Greenthumb Who Acts Like a Male Poison Ivy.

[@ericjohnson6105]

"Made a sexy version of her own cosplay costume" Comedy gold, good sir.

[@GoreyBits]

We all know that Ric Flair is the real black scorpion. 🦂

[@kevindignam4400]

Damn it! And he wasn’t in drag that time! Lol

[@jailcatjones3250]

Wooooooooooo

[@christopherengel7436]

We do? I mean, he is? Since when I thought he had another moniker?

[@ryanwillson2751]

Woooooo

[@kyleolson8977]

Or Ole Anderson or magician Franz Harary or Al Perez...but when Perez wasn't interested, it was Flair.

[@Speculativedude]

Ok, I'm not making fun of anyone that actually does have asthma, but the line, "My army of asthmatics." is just hilarious.

[@DasNordlicht91]

It’s such a strange plot and motivation for a villain that’s also doubling as softcore porn.

[@midwestmonster9886]

"You're parked illegally in a Double Dragon game." 🤣

[@radarlovedr]

I laughed at that too.😄

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

Double Dragon review when?

[@johnbockelie3899]

Anything is better than that stupid Batwoman show.

[@DeathsPictures]

Fun fact: in the "Black Scorpion" TV-series, Breathtaker is portrayed by none other than Adam West.

[@ianbowden2524]

What the fuck? Is this real

[@howardbeatman2820]

@@ianbowden2524 Yes.

[@edwardbeaty8899]

Yes, it's real! My already high respect for Adam West just went up even higher!

[@MasterJediDude]

Adam West probably watched this on Showtime (repeatedly) and was hoping to bump up against Black Scorpion's tail.

[@jaggerguth4391]

The Guy Playing The Adam West Penguin Also Appears as Clockwise.

[@leigy100]

Joan Severance was actually a successful fashion model prior to her being a tv-movie actress. For a short time in the 1980s, Severance was as in demand as Carol Alt and Paulina Porizkova and she was on the cover of Vogue several times. She did ad campaigns for Chanel, Armani, Maybelline and Rev-Lon. She really was successful in that field.

[@WarriorBoy]

So Gal Gadot is carrying on the tradition of models who can't act playing female superheroes (although this lady is probably a better actress than Gal)?

[@otaking3582]

An asthma-themed supervillain? Damn, where's Captain America when you need him?!

[@Simon39759]

*Captain America* I understood that reference.

[@colbyjones7816]

I think Marvel’s gonna sue somebody!!

[@angrypoppy]

@@Simon39759 Damnit, I was gonna say the same thing!

[@adammarrow5980]

I was coming here to say the same thing!

[@doomsday_adam]

I think what you mean is Captain Asthmatica...

[@grapeshot]

Definitely a Batman like origin story I will avenge my parents in the most flamboyant and impractical way.

[@jamesduncan6729]

Impractical* not "inpractical"

[@ferdonandebull]

Batman wasn’t avenging his parents…

[@fangjokerLS]

Otherwise known as, "what Playmates did when Baywatch wasn't calling anymore."

[@henrygvidonas9573]

Hey, you know that "some people stand in the darkness", okay? But seriously, Joan Severance was in four movies that year. She didn't need Mitch Von Malibu.

[@fangjokerLS]

@@henrygvidonas9573 Thank God Joan was holding down the night shift. I mean, we saw how Mitch handled night when the edge of surrender was in sight.

[@Slayerthecrow]

I guess that the next logical step would be adding Black Scorpion to MK 11 as DLC.

[@phreakazoith2237]

Black Scorpion wins. Animality.

[@VorpalDerringer]

I mean, they have big name characters like the Terminator, Black Scorpion has gotta be cheap as chips...

[@briantaylorcloe7725]

@@VorpalDerringer stuff like Black Scorpion would actually be more expensive, since they are not under the same media group. They could make the link with a certain yellow clad ninja perhaps ....

[@sigmacademy]

@@phreakazoith2237 Friendship Move? :P

[@jimmyboy131]

And the Breathtaker!

[@MuffinHunterX]

Oh cool, Joan Severence was also the lady thief in Hear No Evil, See No Evil. Man I loved that movie as a kid. -As well as that shower scene.-

[@shawnlusby1538]

She was also in the Scorpions music video for "Rhythm of Love" and the Hulk Hogan movie "No Holds Barred." R.I.P. Tiny Lister

[@oldguy9051]

Yes, that was when I was still excited to see tatas sporting implants...

[@mikejorsch304]

Check out Lake Consequence with Billy Zane

[@Devilsblood]

Yeah I remember this movie from awhile back. People tend to forget that after Tim Burton's Batman came out there was a huge batch of superhero film knockoffs coming out at the time. I wonder if people remember the tv show "mantis".

[@stevenscott2136]

I remember it. I think the lead was the same guy who went on to do J'Onn's voice on Justice League -- Carl Lumley.

[@nvfury13]

I really liked Mantis. I’m surprised it didn’t get a remake now.

[@polrua]

The pilot episode of MANTIS was great. Unfortunately, after the pilot, some numbnut decides that it needed to be "less black" so they fired 3/4s of the cast (including a young Gina Torres) so we could have some skateboarding teen instead, a decision which cost them Sam Raimi's participation.

[@WarriorBoy]

@@polrua That's really stupid, and it shows how much times have changed, too. If a show these days changed its cast to be "less black", it would get roasted to hell on Twitter.

[@polrua]

@@WarriorBoy They didn't come out and say "Less black". They said they wanted to "broaden its appeal to a wider range of viewers"... But in order to do that, they got rid of all the race-based subplots, gave the show's Black Genius Inventor Hero a white Genius Inventor Associate who designs most of his technology for him, fired the four members of the show's supporting cast (all Black), and replaced them with two new supporting characters (all white): the aforementioned genius inventor and a teenage skateboarder.

[@011keepers]

Dad dies without dropping his cigarette...that's dedication!!

[@demonkingbadger6689]

He must have been really addicted to that nicotine

[@oliviawilliams6204]

I noticed that too

[@jeebuschristos8423]

Wasn't finished with it obviously... cigarettes are 'spensive man! You know everytime the shot shifted to someone else he took a drag too...

[@wstine79]

I remember the Black Scorpion tv series. That one piggy backed on the success of Xena Warrior Princess.

[@ShadowSonic2]

I remember the 2001 TV show of this! Never knew it was a movie first.

[@tacotoosday42]

Lol yeah I remember the Gangsta Prankster

[@georgesartiano3559]

Corman also did the show (like the film) because he wanted another new Corvette.

[@spibbymcgoo4877]

Same here and is it just me or did the show have better production values than the movie for once?

[@comixproviderftw_02]

TV Show?

[@rasputincharlemagnemalahayati]

Fun fact: the guy who composed this also composed almost all of the modern animated Star Wars series (Rebels, CW, etc)

[@johnschou2172]

It’s the Asthma Monster!!! Someone call Captain America and make two PSA comics of it!!!

[@jamesbell7207]

Fun fact: In the TV series, they got Adam West to play The Breathtaker.

[@jasongradyphstiger6179]

ah the 60s Batman nice RIP.

[@animefan25]

Frank Gorshin, who portrayed the Riddler, also appeared in the TV series.

[@Fixtionmaster101]

I thought that face looked to gentle to be evil until he put on the mask.

[@-POISON-]

You had me at Joan Severance.

[@VideoDuffelBag]

With all these superhero movies being made, i’m surprised there hasn’t been an attempt at a reboot or a Blu-ray release, at least. I’m all for it.

[@mosshivenetwork117]

Si

[@joaoonda]

Honestly when she told her identity to the villain , I was expecting you to change her voice to: "Hello, my name is Darcy Walker, you killed my father! Prepare to die!" :D

[@TheEmeraldWeirdo]

Wait, the main villain is asthma-themed? Shouldn't he be fighting Captain America, then?

[@colbyjones7816]

I think Marvel’s gonna sue somebody!

[@padawanmage71]

SyFy channel had so many shows back in 2001 i must’ve missed this one.

[@chrissnyder2091]

I watched it it was definitely a summer replacement..

[@wdcain1]

I remember being bothered by Adam West playing a villain. His Batman show was such a part of my childhood that seeing him play the baddie just felt wrong.

[@PictureProductStudio]

He's only portraying this same character in the TV series, though. Movie version is none other than notable character actor Casey Siemaszko.

[@geraldstephens6612]

Watch the Batman The Animated Series episode featuring guest voice Adam West called The Crimson Ghost.

[@marccolten9801]

Adam West as a bad guy? Watch Zombie Nightmare (best seen on MST3K)

[@ShadowSonic2]

​@@geraldstephens6612The Gray Ghost, actually

[@LucyLioness100]

Brandon needs to explore more Roger Corman’s projects. They are so cheap, but you feel the heart he put into his films that the cheapness isn’t too obvious

[@matthewmccoyd2578]

I know what'll bring Black Scorpion back into the public eye! A bisexual crossover with The Demolitionist.

[@Linklex7]

It’s funny you brought up Adam West in the review. Adam West played the Breath Taker in the tv series they made. I believe it’s on Tubi last I checked. It’s weird but kinda cool to think this is Roger Corman’s most famous movie. It’s the only one that became a franchise, with sequels, tv shows, and even a comic book.

[@GoGojiraGo]

There needs to be a crossover sequel of both Black Scorpion movies where the hot chick and the giant arachnid team up to fight Professor Spy-Dor and the giant mechanical tarantula from "Wild Wild West".

[@swarnavamitra6658]

Yeah!! I love Joan Severance. Thanks Brandon

[@Tsotha]

I remember this clearly, right down to its eccentric sense of humour and trying to be its own thing despite at the same time imitating the look and feel of the Tim Burton Batman, and quite enjoying it. Good video as usual Brandon!

[@delete---7593]

What?.

[@koppsr]

Also it had a clever male protagonist, taking Scorpion's mask off when having the chance, something almost no Batman villain managed so far 😎

[@brettsharbono3022]

The re-watch value of this channel is amazing, keep up the good work Brandon!

[@janhaisenko5061]

Ah Roger Corman, the brand for a nice Brandon Tenold Review

[@Graham-ce2yk]

As I mentioned previously in addition to generating a short lived TV series, this one also is one of the few B Movies with a sequel 'Black Scorpion II: Aftershock' I'm looking forward to the review of that one.

[@jerryrichburg2458]

Looks like a cool movie to watch while stoned. I really need to see this movie. They had me at Garrett Morris. Seriously.

[@_GeneralMechanics_]

I know it's "because f*** science" about the car being able to transform, but does anybody else have a problem with the sideview mirrors moving so high up they become useless while driving? I know Black Scorpion wants us focusing on her headlights but this is too distracting.

[@PictureProductStudio]

That's an interesting note. Many comic book designs of Batmobile have flaws like that, usually rear window obscured by something.

[@collin1240]

The only reason I could see for doing that was, "Hey! It kinda looks like scorpion pincers... if you squint and snort some of this coke!"

[@gimmeyourrights8292]

"Black Scorpiom wants us to focus on her headlight." HahahahahahahahHa

[@williamblakehall5566]

Brandon, thank you for this. A definite old guilty pleasure of mine, mainly because I was crushing hard on Joan Severance. Idea: show this with Red Scorpion and you can have a Scorpions in Sports Car Colors double feature.

[@williamseneyjr.6277]

Joan Severance was freaking gorgeous! I watched many late night hours of Cinemax solely because of her.

[@frankgesuele6298]

Joan Severance🤗

[@SirAsdf]

9:54 Oh Yeah, the lesser known "News and Snoo Snoo" technique, very rare.

[@jaylenbrown4340]

Music in this movie was made by Kevin kiner, who would later go on to make music for the animated Star Wars TV shows, star trek enterprise, and csi miami

[@jubithinks9116]

Ironically when I was a kid I watched this and the sequel with my mom solder sister and brother like a real family.

[@animefan25]

Speaking of Adam West, he played the Breathtaker in the Black Scorpion TV series.

[@GeoNeilUK]

I'm surprised this didn't start an anime that ended up gettig reviewed by Bennett The Sage. Could you imagine a Roger Corman produced anime?

[@yesmansam6686]

😬 I have bad feelings about that.

[@oceanberserker]

We already have those. They're called Masami Obari and Go Nagai films.

[@yesmansam6686]

@@oceanberserker 😬

[@sweetcinnamonpnchkin]

We’d be in some freaky “I can’t believe it’s not hentai” territory

[@PapaTaurean]

Huh... she looks WAY hotter than she did when she wrestled Sting back in the late 80s, early '90s.

[@mishiou7244]

It's was only a matter of time before the radar smelled this pile of Cheese up lol.

[@qxillanote9952]

Do the sequel next please!

[@jerelischable]

Just go to any chop shop. They’ll hook you up. Line made me laugh out loud

[@360whiplash]

Can't wait to see review to the sequel.

[@volodymyrbilyk555]

In this case, we also need fatal attraction 2 review

[@AmityvilleFan]

plus the series

[@chrismayclin6397]

When the car transformed, who else heard the “Back to the Future” theme play all of a sudden?

[@captainstroon1555]

I'm disappoited that the villain isn't frog themed

[@BYERE]

Holy shiz... I remember this! I accidentally recorded over my VHS copy of it with an episode of Knightmare XD

[@Mate397]

"You can't be the Black Scorpion becuase you are the whitest woman I know" As the little kid says it: "THAT'S RAYCIST!"

[@crisfleming1528]

And he plays Gangster Prankster on the Black Scorpion show.

[@fortunatomartino8549]

"That's Raycist" said like Warner Bros daffy duck

[@michaelerickson985]

You actually misspelled the word. It is not "raycist," but rather "racist." It is important to check for spelling mistakes before posting online.

[@PeteTheGrouch]

@@michaelerickson985 derp

[@tylerrusnak7736]

Always love seeing new videos from you! Makes my day!

[@RoyCyberPunk]

They even had a Black Scorpion TV show As I recall. It lasted only one season.

[@Nergalsama01]

6:11 And if Frank Miller ever wrote a Batwoman story, the result would be something like this movie, I suppose. >_>

[@mAwhitener]

I would so watch a Roger Corman Batwoman production. It would be 100 times better than that stupid show.

[@kyleshiflet9952]

You should see 96's Vampirella

[@Ghostly1989]

One movie that still freaks me out that he made was the man with the x-ray eyes. You can find on KZbin these days for free.

[@swarnavamitra6658]

Yeah that is a very underrated Corman classic. Ray Milland turned one of his most fantastic performances.

[@HomoVastans]

Amazon Prime is showing it free (if you have Amazon Prime). Great movie. Didn't know it was Corman.

[@Ghostly1989]

I’d actually find it ironic if Brandon sees this comment and reviews that movie someday now lol

[@gordonfreeman4341]

Your narrative is EPIC🤣 Earned a sub.

[@jackmcslay]

So, apparently the villain of the movie is the Asthma Monster after an armor upgrade.

[@scottgaultney]

And he lost his Aller-gun.

[@ShadowWingTronix]

Wait until you see the next movie. It has a fusion between the Joker and Two-Face called the Gangster Prankster.

[@rahmadrenaldi2624]

That thumbnail tho. Nice art work

[@mmattson8947]

Yeah, but I’m disappointed that Brandon wasn’t drawn in it, like in almost all the other reviews. I can imagine his avatar in a frog suit, looking entirely too happy (and in pain) about Joan Severance digging her high heels into his back.

[@AndrewHarriston]

E-Z Street...(Darryl M. Bell) never seen him outside of A Different World.

[@neilburns448]

I remember the movie and enjoyed it The sequel was so so Excellent job Continued success and keep up the good work

[@scockery]

So when Joan stopped working for Roger Corman, did she get any Severance pay? (I've made this joke before)

[@jamesduncan6729]

Fantastic 👏🏻👏🏻

[@Mike_Jones1980]

Excellent punmanship

[@michaelerickson985]

She only would have received severance pay if she had a multi-picture deal with Roger Corman and was let go before all of the films had been produced. In the event that happened, her severance pay would be whatever had been spelled out specifically in the liquidated damages clause of her contract (assuming the clause was considered to be reasonable and thus enforceable). I have not been able to find online any indication that she received severance pay, so I am assuming that no such problem arose.

[@Teamo86]

I remember watching the TV series. It was kinda fun. I must have forgot that it was precursed by two movies that I don't regret to never have seeing, or not remembering.

[@Diggy22]

Hold up...Daryl from A Different World played that pimp Easy Street! 😂

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

We all know why love this. Joan.

[@LaDracul]

At least Garrett Morris was in "Ant-Man"

[@koppsr]

Joan Severance looked stunning and the costume was kick-ass cool. Always hoped they'd reboot it.

[@InkWarrior]

Here's some trivia: if Joan Severance is in the movie, she's gonna show her rack.

[@pathatfield2543]

That’s always a good thing,if you ask me.

[@jamesduncan6729]

Hell yeah 😎👌🏻

[@doggo9567]

Oh damn I'm on an Brandon binge good timing

[@MrMuttly55]

Joan Severance was nearly 40 when she squeezed into that suit,

[@carlfromtheoc1788]

I remember seeing this on TV way back in the day, along with the sequel, and the one season. It helps that Joan Severance is very, very easy on the eyes.

[@kellybrincks]

Damn. That's quite the cast of character actors

[@oliviawilliams6204]

Got to love that the dad die keeping his cigarette between his fingers.

[@WhatHoSnorkers]

Fishnets for the win!

[@bleirdo_dude]

So much win.

[@ravagesoyjoy]

I was going through puberty during the time this movie came out. Goodbye childhood! Hello superhero cheeks!!!

[@macrussell78]

I'll have to sign up on patreon and make a request for Razorback.

[@billjones5741]

Was hoping the villain was her dad. “You killed my father!” ....

[@bkjbearcat78]

“A wired knockoff of the joker will try to rob you.” See you in the next movie Brandon. From, The Gangsta Pranksta

[@bunkerzero]

The villain us literally a captain America villain. RESLLY, there was a PSA comic about cap stopping a villain named the asthma monster had the same intentions! (To believe this had a tv show! Also I read the comic, it was alright)

[@genesanford9412]

Joans ta-ta,s were at their peak during this movie & tv show.

[@chrisbaker8533]

she wasn't in the t.v. show. Michelle lintel there.

[@mephosto]

i love the black joker two face that shows up in the later stuff. and that he keeps getting reanimated.

[@brookswilliams5239]

Gangsta Prankster

[@doctorpicardnononono7469]

at least in this scorpion movie no little boy's were handed over to a priest.

[@GranMaese]

Don't you mean to a liberal professor?

[@JayYoungs1992]

@@GranMaese 😂😂

[@brandonwachter2264]

Saved my day again brother! Going through my subs, saw you had a new post and thus here I am. Seriously happy rightnow✌😀👍Thanks man. Sending you good karma from the U.S. Eastcoast, shores of the Chesapeake Bay 🎸

[@Varg84]

Man Joan Severance was a total babe.

[@jamesduncan6729]

I have to agree 😍👍🏻

[@godmaentertainment4375]

The smut and action is good but I thought the "drama" slowed it down. Corman's FF is surprisingly better over all.

[@sammygreen9652]

I'm so glad that someone reviewed Black Scorpion the superhero for once this is one of my favorites and when I was twelve or thirteen years old I got to watch the TV show and I'm trying to get it on DVD or Blue-Ray as well as the two movies.

[@ShadowWingTronix]

Shout Factory has the full series on their streaming site but sadly they don't have a listing for the DVD in their store anymore.

[@sammygreen9652]

@@ShadowWingTronix Man no DVD listing, well that just sucks, but thank you for the information.

[@owie4070]

I noticed the boots switching from heels to flats when I saw this years ago, so I knew Brandon would catch it. And yeah that quitting cigarettes joke was funny.

[@michaelgray5958]

Love the Big Daddy Kane reference!

[@paulcoy9060]

Spawn Of Kyuss! A great D&D monster!

[@shinkaiatsuya950]

A superhero movie that can be its own porn parody now that's what I call shooting 2 birds with 1 stone.

[@Applepoisoneer]

It's funny you bring up the Catwoman movie, because Black Scorpion kind of seems to be the missing link between the Burton Batman films and it. Like, its got the best and worst elements of both.

[@wakeangel2001]

didn't Linkara review a comic with an asthma themed villain that was trying to make everyone else have asthma?

[@Scorpionspear77]

Yep. Two of ‘em, in fact

[@Gemini_Samura1]

A new video is a great way to start my Vacay! Thank you sir!

[@collin1240]

When her father hit the floor, I'd almost swear he considered taking one last drag of the cigarette he managed to hang on to... and now I'm kinda wishing he'd gone for it. Death scene for the ages!

[@g.sergiusfidenas6650]

It would had been epic.

[@derekstein6193]

...with a puff of smoke coming from the bullet hole. Class act.

[@BaconPraline]

These live rent free in my head

[@rotwang2000]

Honestly her outfit is tame by the comic book standards of the 90's, also her body anatomy is way off as well, she should be at least 6'6" of which about 3/4ths need to be legs only with a waist thinner than Severance's wrist and ultra-sized megaboobs and hair that works like an etch-a-sketch picture.

[@SageBlackthorn]

One of the things that I loved about the TV series was that they got Adam West to play Dr. Goddard, aka Breath Taker.