The Batwoman (1968)

Synopsis

The movie The Batwoman (1968), also known as La Mujer Murcielago, is an adventure horror sci-fi film directed by René Cardona. The plot revolves around a wealthy, crime-solving, female wrestler named Gloria, also known as the Batwoman. She is called to investigate a series of murdered wrestlers that are found floating in the ocean offshore from Acapulco. While the victims appear to have drowned, in each case, the contents of the victim’s pineal gland have been removed¹.

Working with FBI agent Mario Robles, Gloria follows a trail of clues to the eccentric neurosurgeon, Dr. Eric Williams. Based on-board his floating laboratory, the Reptilicus, Williams is striving to create a gilled human by injecting small fish with the glandular extract. Subsequent exposure to radiation grows the resulting mutant to the donor’s size. He dreams of creating an army of Gill Men to take control of the world’s oceans. His experiments require one too many victims. He always uses wrestlers as donors because he wants his mutant full of vigor. Gloria and Mario start staking out the local wrestling gym, hoping to see the next victim being set up. It is easy for Gloria to blend in as she is a proficient wrestler herself¹.

Once Williams has been identified as the perpetrator, the Batwoman steals aboard his boat. She is nearly apprehended. Now that Williams is aware of her being on his case, he uses his minions to try to capture her. When that fails, he attaches an electronic device to her cape that will make her the target of his first Gill Man’s hunt¹.

Cast

• Maura Monti as Gloria / Batwoman
• Roberto Cañedo as Dr. Eric Williams
• Héctor Godoy as Mario Robles
• David Silva as José the Lottery Seller
• Crox Alvarado as Inspector
• Armando Silvestre as Tony Roca
• Manuel Capetillo as Swedish Wrestler (uncredited)
• Ofelia Chávez as Wrestler Esmeralda (uncredited)
• Manuel Garay as Díaz (uncredited)
• Carlos Suárez as Igor the Doctor’s Assistant (uncredited)

Trivia

The movie The Batwoman (1968) was included in Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 8, The Batwoman, 2022. [2]

The film is an unofficial adaptation of the character “Batman” from DC Comics, but features a female version of the hero called “Batwoman”. [2]

Maura Monti could only wear the costume for a short while, as she said she kept getting a wedgie in the front and the back. [2]

Attempts to re-size the costume were unsuccessful. [2]

The movie is one of many wrestling-themed superhero films made in Mexico. [2]

Citations

[1] Wikipedia
[2] IMDb
[3] NY Times