When I saw the 80s revival of this at London's ICA, the person introducing it said that:
1 - it was financed by the Mafia,
2 - several scenes relating to the female monster were removed by the censors
3 - Robert Bernier, inventor of SpaceVision, was sacked as DP by Paul Morrissey for taking too long to set up his shots.
He also warned us to look out for the bats!
At no point did he mention that it was supposed to be a comedy.
1 - it was financed by the Mafia,
2 - several scenes relating to the female monster were removed by the censors
3 - Robert Bernier, inventor of SpaceVision, was sacked as DP by Paul Morrissey for taking too long to set up his shots.
He also warned us to look out for the bats!
At no point did he mention that it was supposed to be a comedy.