Carolyn Hughes

Actor

Active: 1959

About Carolyn Hughes

Carolyn Hughes was an American actress who had a brief but memorable career in late 1950s Hollywood cinema. She is primarily known for her appearance in the Roger Corman-produced horror film 'The Wasp Woman' in 1959, which became a cult classic of the B-movie genre. Her career appears to have been concentrated in a single year, 1959, suggesting she may have been a character actress or someone who briefly pursued acting before moving to other endeavors. The Wasp Woman, in which she played a supporting role, was part of the wave of low-budget horror films that defined American genre cinema during this period. While her filmography is limited, her contribution to this notable cult film has preserved her place in classic horror cinema history. Details about her life beyond this single film credit remain scarce, indicating she may have left the entertainment industry shortly after her debut.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in the cult horror classic 'The Wasp Woman' (1959)
  • Worked with producer Roger Corman during his formative years as a filmmaker

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

  • Supporting role in 'The Wasp Woman'

Must-See Films

  • The Wasp Woman (1959)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Roger Corman
  • Susan Cabot

Studios

  • Roger Corman Productions

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Carolyn Hughes' contribution to cinema, though limited to a single film, places her within the important tradition of 1950s American horror cinema. 'The Wasp Woman' has since become a cult classic, representing the era's fascination with science-gone-wrong themes and female-led horror narratives. Her participation in this film, however minor the role, connects her to the legacy of Roger Corman's influential work in nurturing low-budget genre filmmaking that would later influence generations of horror directors.

Lasting Legacy

Carolyn Hughes' legacy is tied to her appearance in 'The Wasp Woman,' a film that has endured as a significant example of late-1950s American horror cinema. While she did not have an extensive filmography, her contribution to this cult classic ensures her place in the history of genre filmmaking. The film's continued popularity among horror enthusiasts and film scholars means that even brief performances like hers are preserved and appreciated as part of the broader tapestry of classic Hollywood horror.

Who They Inspired

As a supporting actress in a single cult film, Carolyn Hughes' direct influence on other performers or filmmakers is difficult to trace. However, her participation in 'The Wasp Woman' contributes to the film's overall impact on the horror genre, which has inspired countless filmmakers in the decades since its release. The film's themes and style have been referenced and homaged in numerous subsequent works, indirectly preserving the contributions of all its cast members, including Hughes.

Off Screen

Very little information is available about Carolyn Hughes' personal life, as her career in film appears to have been brief and she did not achieve widespread public recognition. Like many supporting actors in 1950s B-movies, her life outside of her single film credit remains undocumented in public sources.

Did You Know?

  • The Wasp Woman was her only known film credit
  • The film was produced by Roger Corman, who would become known as the 'King of the B-Movies'
  • The Wasp Woman had a runtime of just 63 minutes, typical of low-budget productions of the era
  • The film was shot in just seven days, a common practice for Corman productions
  • Despite its limited budget, the film has gained cult status and is frequently shown at horror film festivals
  • The Wasp Woman was one of several horror films Corman produced featuring female monsters
  • The film has been referenced in various books about classic American horror cinema

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Carolyn Hughes?

Carolyn Hughes was an American actress best known for her appearance in the 1959 horror film 'The Wasp Woman.' Her career appears to have been brief, with this being her only known film credit, making her a minor but memorable figure in classic horror cinema.

What films is Carolyn Hughes best known for?

Carolyn Hughes is exclusively known for her role in 'The Wasp Woman' (1959), a Roger Corman-produced horror film that has since become a cult classic. This appears to be her only film appearance.

When was Carolyn Hughes born and when did she die?

Specific birth and death dates for Carolyn Hughes are not publicly available, as she was not a widely documented figure in Hollywood history. Her brief career in 1959 suggests she was likely active as an adult during that period.

What awards did Carolyn Hughes win?

There are no recorded awards or nominations for Carolyn Hughes, which is not uncommon for supporting actors in low-budget films of the 1950s. Her legacy lies in her contribution to a cult classic rather than formal recognition.

What was Carolyn Hughes' acting style?

Due to the limited documentation of her work and the brevity of her career, specific details about Carolyn Hughes' acting style are not available in historical records. Her performance in 'The Wasp Woman' would have been typical of the naturalistic style used in low-budget horror films of the era.

Why is 'The Wasp Woman' significant in film history?

'The Wasp Woman' is significant as an example of Roger Corman's influential low-budget horror productions and as part of the 1950s trend of science-gone-wrong horror films. The film's cult status has preserved the work of all its cast members, including Carolyn Hughes, for future generations of horror enthusiasts.

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Films

1 film