‘White Zombie’ (1932) Movie Review

Directed by Victor Halperin

Writtrn by Garnett Weston

Starring: Bela Lugosi, Madge Bellamy, and Joseph Cawthorn

A young man turns to a witch doctor to lure the woman he loves away from her fiance, but instead turns her into a zombie slave.

This is definitely the oldest horror movie I’ve ever seen. If you only like modern horror, or have a preconceived notion that old horror doesn’t deliver; you haven’t seen Bela Lugosi in such a Satanic role. His haunting image still slithers into my mind from time to time.

The charm of old school horror films are hard to recapture. We occasionally find new films with the creativity and love to move us, but it’s not me being a jaded horror reviewer; these films are hard to come by. Small studios shared equally small budgets, forcing the actors and film makers to fill each frame with ominous flair. Lugosi knew his talents and dug deep to present those qualities. The scene with the living dead slaves following Lugosi is horror gold.

Location and set dressing was a fine art in 1932. The effective backdrops included graveyards, and monolithic fiend towers; visuals effects that flowed with a well-matched score. These films are classic for a reason, kids. Find your place in these years and you’re sure to find some resonating picks.