White Zombie (1932)

[Ted C]

How about a really old school zombie movie? In this one, the zombies are people raised (or brainwashed) to be slaves on a voodoo doctor's plantation.

Madeline Short and Neil Parker are traveling to the estate of her old friend Charles Beaumont for their wedding. Charles actually wants to break up the wedding, as he wants Madeline for himself. He even goes so far as to get a potion from his voodoo doctor neighbor, Legendre, that will force her to change her mind.

Talking to her fails, so Charles gives Madeline the potion in a flower in her bouquet. Shortly after the wedding, the potion takes effect, and Madeline 'dies'. Neil is crushed and gets hopelessly drunk in the local bar.

Legendre has Madeline removed from her grave, and Charles goes to visit her at Legendre's mansion. He finds that he can't stand seeing her in her zombiefied state, so he demands that Legendre release her. Legendre won't have it, administering the potion to Charles instead and enjoying the show as the effects slowly set in on Charles.

Meanwhile, Neil has seen Madeline on the balcony of Legendre's mansion, and goes to get her back.

Confrontations ensue! Will love conquer Legendre's mind control? Watch to find out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzgz1Ddmz8

[RCMerchant]

This is my favorite Lugosi film.
It's almost like a Grimm Fairy Tale. It all feels very 'unreal'.

A little trivia-
Clarence Muse (the coach driver)  had been in 164 films starting in 1921 and ended in 1979. 3 with Lugosi-this,the DEATH KISS (1932) and the INVISIBLE GHOST (1941)

Bela's eyes were used for the close-up's in place of Dean Jagger's in REVOLT OF THE ZOMBIES (1936).

The 'clenched hands' thing Bela does to control his zombies -Bela used it as well in BRIDE OF THE MONSTER (1955).

[BoyScoutKevin]

It is not only one of Lugosi's best films. It is also one of the most significant films in Hollywood history (IMHO.) Because as far as I know, it is the 1st film ever made by Hollywood to feature zombies.

[RCMerchant]

 

It is not only one of Lugosi's best films. It is also one of the most significant films in Hollywood history (IMHO.) Because as far as I know, it is the 1st film ever made by Hollywood to feature zombies.

I think so too! The scene where the zombies are turning the sugar cane crusher and one of the zombies falls into it! The zombies just crush him up. He he he.

[316zombie]

one of the strangest experiences of my life was seeing a sugar cane crusher in real life at the heritage museum in florida. i was literally getting flashbacks of that movie scene... it got weirder when the tour guide mentioned the scene and that it was the exact same model...very strange experience.

[RCMerchant]

one of the strangest experiences of my life was seeing a sugar cane crusher in real life at the heritage museum in florida. i was literally getting flashbacks of that movie scene... it got weirder when the tour guide mentioned the scene and that it was the exact same model...very strange experience.

Wow...that's cool! 

[316zombie]

you'd love that place, RC, i think they're up to 24 buildings now, all appropriately furnished, including a post office/railroad station and a general store. it's also connected to huge botanical gardens, it takes like 3 days to actually SEE everything. coolest part is EVERYTHING is donated, everybody who works there is a volunteer and it's FREE!
   there's a TON of free museums in florida, i drive my friend crazy making him take me to them. in return, i go to car shows with him, lol! and flea markets where he buys greasy old car parts.

[Ticonderoga 64]

One of the best classic horror films ever and certainly one of Lugosi's best performances(he valued this role rather highly). Downbeat and with an atmosphere of death and decay..an equal for any of the horrors being produced at Universal, MGM or Paramount at that time.

This video with accompanying music from The Church, brilliantly sums up the Murder Legendre character from the film..

http://youtu.be/jxkJPbRy8HU
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