White Zombie (film)
From Freepedia
White Zombie is an American horror film, first released on August 4, 1932. It is believed to be the first film to deal with zombies.
The film was produced independently by Edward and Victor Halperin, and directed by Victor Halperin, two minor silent film makers, from a script the Garnett Weston. It was picked up for distribution by United Artists.
The script by Garnett Weston features a young couple in Haiti. Neil Parker (John Harron) and Madeleine Short (Madge Bellamy) have been invited by a casual acquaintance, Charles Beaumont (Robert Frazer), to come to his plantation to be married. Beaumont is however actually in love with Madeline and hopes to persuade her to become his wife instead. Rebuffed, he approaches local white Voodoo master "Murder" Legendre (Bela Lugosi) to temporarily turn her into a zombie, have her declared dead, send Neil back to the States in mourning, then revive her so that he can woo her anew. Legendre, however, has his own plans for the young lady, and for Beaumont.
The film had been largely financed by Sherman S. Krellberg through his Amusement Securities Corp., with the film rights used as collateral. When the Halperins were unable to repay the loan in a timely manner, Krellberg took over the rights and, after its initial run was finished, periodically reissued the film through minor distributors, the last time being in 1972.
The rock band "White Zombie" picked their name as a tribute to the movie.
