"Captive Wild Woman" is another "mad scientist" movie from Universal set in a circus atmosphere.
Animal trainer Fred Mason (Milburn Stone) has returned with a stock of wild animals that he has procured for John Whipple's (Llomason'syd Corrigan's circus. Whipple's secretary Beth Coleman (Evelyn Ankers) is faithful girl friend. Mason's prize catch is an affectionate gorilla.
Beth's sister Dorothy (Martha Vickers) is suffering from a glandular disorder. She brings her to famed Dr. Walters (John Carradine) who is an expert in glandular research for treatment. Beth brings the doctor to the circus to show him around. When he sees the intelligent ape, he gets an idea.
With his trusty assistant Nurse Strand (Fay Helm) he arranges to have recently fired worker Gruen (Paul Fix) steal the ape from the circus. He then drugs the animal and begins a glandular transfer from Dorothy to the ape. Gradually the ape begins to morph into human form. Nurse Strand fears that Walters will kill the young Dorothy if he continues. Walters decides that the ape needs a new brain and guess whose brain he takes.
The ape is transformed into a beautiful young woman whom Walters names Paula Dupree (Acquanetta). He brings his creation to the circus where "Paula" savers Mason from an attacking lion. You see the ape had a crush on "Ole Doc" all along. Mason is impressed with Paula's ways with the animals and convinces Whipple to let him work with both lions and tigers with the assurance that Paula will keep them at bay. Paula sees Mason and Beth embracing and becomes jealous. She begins to change back into a gorilla. Before the transformation is complete Paula goes to Beth's home to kill her but is is driven away.
With the transformation now complete, Walters realizes that he needs to repeat the procedure. When Dorothy calls Beth to tell her that she is afraid, Beth goes to her. She finds her sister on the operating table and Walters eyes her as his next subject and..............................................................................................................
The wild animal sequences were the product of some stock footage featuring world famous animal trainer Clyde Beatty who can be plainly seen in the footage. Milburn Stone was cast largely because of his resemblance to Beatty. And yes, we are treated to a couple of Evelyn Ankers' trademark screams.
Animal trainer Fred Mason (Milburn Stone) has returned with a stock of wild animals that he has procured for John Whipple's (Llomason'syd Corrigan's circus. Whipple's secretary Beth Coleman (Evelyn Ankers) is faithful girl friend. Mason's prize catch is an affectionate gorilla.
Beth's sister Dorothy (Martha Vickers) is suffering from a glandular disorder. She brings her to famed Dr. Walters (John Carradine) who is an expert in glandular research for treatment. Beth brings the doctor to the circus to show him around. When he sees the intelligent ape, he gets an idea.
With his trusty assistant Nurse Strand (Fay Helm) he arranges to have recently fired worker Gruen (Paul Fix) steal the ape from the circus. He then drugs the animal and begins a glandular transfer from Dorothy to the ape. Gradually the ape begins to morph into human form. Nurse Strand fears that Walters will kill the young Dorothy if he continues. Walters decides that the ape needs a new brain and guess whose brain he takes.
The ape is transformed into a beautiful young woman whom Walters names Paula Dupree (Acquanetta). He brings his creation to the circus where "Paula" savers Mason from an attacking lion. You see the ape had a crush on "Ole Doc" all along. Mason is impressed with Paula's ways with the animals and convinces Whipple to let him work with both lions and tigers with the assurance that Paula will keep them at bay. Paula sees Mason and Beth embracing and becomes jealous. She begins to change back into a gorilla. Before the transformation is complete Paula goes to Beth's home to kill her but is is driven away.
With the transformation now complete, Walters realizes that he needs to repeat the procedure. When Dorothy calls Beth to tell her that she is afraid, Beth goes to her. She finds her sister on the operating table and Walters eyes her as his next subject and..............................................................................................................
The wild animal sequences were the product of some stock footage featuring world famous animal trainer Clyde Beatty who can be plainly seen in the footage. Milburn Stone was cast largely because of his resemblance to Beatty. And yes, we are treated to a couple of Evelyn Ankers' trademark screams.