White Zombie (1932)

White Zombie (1932)

Directors: Victor Halperin

Cast: Bela Lugosi, [2]

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. Other cast members include Joseph Cawthorn, Robert W. Frazer, John Harron, Brandon Hurst, and George Burr MacAnnan. 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. Developing a cult following over the decades, modern reception to White Zombie has been more positive; with praise towards the film's atmosphere and comparisons to the 1940s slow-burn horror films of Val Lewton.

White Zombie is often described as being the first ever zombie movie. It is about a young couple who go to visit an acquaintance who lives in Haiti. Unfortunately the the girl is so attractive that she turns the head of a local Voodoo master, played by Bela Lugosi, who wants her for himself, so he turns her into a zombie. You can learn more about White Zombie at A Passion for Horror .

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