THE WHITE ZOMBIE

US, 1932, 74 minutes, Black and white.
Bela Lugosi, Madge Bellamy, John Harron, Joseph Cawthorn.
Directed by Victor Halperin.

The White Zombie is a brief horror film from the early '30s, a part of the tradition which developed at that period. It stars Bela Lugosi, a sinister-looking presence, soon after his starring role in Dracula. It is set in Haiti (though studio-bound) and focuses on the zombies and the tradition about zombies. It is a variation on the Living Dead and vampire theme. Though B-budget, an early sound film and fairly creaky, it still creates quite an atmosphere. Direction is by Victor Halperin.

1.A horror film of the early '30s, the popularity of horror at the period, small-budget, studio-bound, the star?

2.B-budget, Haiti settings, black and white photography, the studio, mood, light and shadow, special effects, the score?

3.The straightforward plot, delineating of characters, audience presumptions, about voodoo and zombies, about Haiti? The plausibility of the plot?

4.Neil and Madeline, the journey, coming across the grave? The encounter with Bela Lugosi, his eyes, taking Madeline's scarf? Going to Beaumont's, the missionary and his advice about zombies, the wedding, the adviser who knew about zombie lore? Madeline and her being taken over, prepared for burial, Madeline as a zombie?

5.The background of zombies, the visualising of the Living Dead, their going to work in the fields and the mills, Bela Lugosi and his sinister presence, Beaumont and his not buying the zombies, the bargain for Madeline, the zombie bride?

6.Neil and his desperation, the adviser, the confrontation with Lugosi? The final struggles, the expert, the zombie's going over the cliff, Beaumont changing his heart, pushing Lugosi over, his own death?

7.Madeline freed, a nightmare, the happy ending?

8.The importance of suggestions of horror, black and white photography, light and darkness, shadow? Establishing the movie horror traditions?