Last Woman on Earth (1960)
Directed and produced by Roger Corman, Last Woman on Earth is a compact, 71-minute science fiction drama released on August 5, 1960, through Filmgroup, Corman’s independent distribution company. Shot on location in Puerto Rico, the film stars Betsy Jones-Moreland, Antony Carbone, and Robert Towne (credited as Edward Wain), who also wrote the screenplay. It’s a minimalist end-of-the-world tale that explores survival, gender dynamics, and moral decay.
Plot Summary
While vacationing in Puerto Rico, wealthy businessman Harold Gern (Antony Carbone), his wife Evelyn (Betsy Jones-Moreland), and his lawyer Martin Joyce (Robert Towne) go scuba diving. When they resurface, they discover that a mysterious oxygen-depleting catastrophe has wiped out humanity. The trio appears to be the only survivors.
As they adjust to their new reality, tensions rise. Harold becomes possessive and authoritarian, Martin grows increasingly rebellious, and Evelyn—caught between them—begins to assert her own agency. The film builds toward a tragic confrontation as the fragile balance of power collapses in this tropical post-apocalypse.
Cast Highlights
- Betsy Jones-Moreland as Evelyn Gern
- Antony Carbone as Harold Gern
- Robert Towne as Martin Joyce (credited as Edward Wain)
Trivia & Behind the Scenes
- Corman filmed this simultaneously with Creature from the Haunted Sea and Battle of Blood Island, using the same cast and crew to maximize budget efficiency.
- Towne would later become one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed screenwriters, penning Chinatown and The Last Detail.
- With only three characters and few locations, the film relies heavily on dialogue and interpersonal tension rather than special effects.
- The film subtly critiques patriarchal control and explores the idea of female autonomy in a world stripped of societal norms.
- The cause of the disaster is never fully revealed, adding to the film’s eerie, existential tone.
