White Zombie (film)

White Zombie
Image of a film poster with a dark green background. Large eyes overlook two hands clasped together. The text at the top reads "With these zombie eyes, he rendered her powerless". In the middle is the title, White Zombie. Below is written "With this zombie grip he made her perform his every desire!".
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVictor Halperin
Written byGarnett Weston
Based onThe Magic Island
1929 novel
by William Seabrook[1]
Produced byEdward Halperin
StarringBela Lugosi[2]
CinematographyArthur Martinelli
Edited byHarold McLernon
Music by
Production
company
Halperin Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • July 28, 1932 (1932-07-28)
Running time
67 minutes;[5]
or 68 or 70 minutes[4]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$50,000 (approx.)[4]

White Zombie is a 1932 pre-Code horror film independently produced by Edward Halperin and directed by Victor Halperin. The screenplay by Garnett Weston, based on The Magic Island by William Seabrook, is about a young woman's transformation into a zombie at the hands of an evil voodoo master. Bela Lugosi stars as the zombie master "Murder" Legendre, with Madge Bellamy appearing as his victim.[6] Other cast members include Joseph Cawthorn, Robert W. Frazer, John Harron, Brandon Hurst, and George Burr MacAnnan.[7][8]

Large portions of White Zombie were shot on the Universal Studios lot, borrowing many props and scenery from other horror films of the era. The film opened in New York to negative reception, with reviewers criticizing the film's over-the-top story and weak acting. While the film made a substantial financial profit as an independent feature, it proved less popular than other horror films of the time.

White Zombie is considered the first feature length zombie film; a loose sequel, Revolt of the Zombies, opened in 1936. Modern reception to White Zombie has been more positive. Some critics have praised the film's atmosphere and compared it to the 1940s horror films of Val Lewton, while others still have unfavorable opinions on the quality of the acting.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference tcmart was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Film opening credits: "White Zombie with Bela Lugosi"
  3. ^ a b c Rhodes 2001, p. 257
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h White Zombie at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kay313 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. pp. 240–241. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  7. ^ Staff (August 6, 1932) Variety. p.15
  8. ^ Billing order per film opening credits