King of the Zombies

King of the Zombies
King of the Zombies
	Promotional release poster
Directed by	Jean Yarbrough
Written by	Edmond Kelso
Produced by	Lindsley Parsons
Starring	Dick Purcell; Joan Woodbury; Mantan Moreland;
Cinematography	Monogram Pictures Corporation
Release date	May 14, 1941;
Running time	67 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

King of the Zombies is a 1941 American

B films produced by the Pine-Thomas team. Along with flying scenes, the use of zany characters and slapstick efforts were juxtaposed with a spy and zombie story.^[1]

In the film, a

zombies though use of voodoo

.

The role of the villainous Dr. Miklos Sangre was intended for Bela Lugosi, who was unavailable. The first choice to replace him was Peter Lorre, but negotiations with him failed. Henry Victor was then cast in the role.

Plot

In 1941, a Capelis XC-12 transport aircraft flying between Cuba and Puerto Rico runs low on fuel and is blown off course by a storm. The pilot, James "Mac" McCarthy, cannot pick up any radio transmissions over the Caribbean except for a faint signal. After crash-landing on a remote island, passenger Bill Summers and his valet Jefferson Jackson, take refuge in a mansion owned by Dr. Miklos Sangre and his wife Alyce .

Jackson, frightened by his surroundings, is convinced the mansion is haunted by

zombies

and confirms this with some of Dr. Sangre's servants. The stranded group becomes aware that mysterious events are taking place in the mansion.

The group stumbles upon a voodoo ritual in the cellar conducted by the doctor who is in reality a foreign spy trying to acquire war intelligence from a captured US Admiral whose aircraft had also crashed on the island. McCarthy falls under the doctor's spell but Summers comes to his aid. When Summers stops the ritual, the zombies turn on their master. Sangre shoots the pilot but falls to his death in a firepit. With Sangre dead, all the zombies are released from his spell.

Cast

Dick Purcell as James "Mac" McCarthy
Joan Woodbury as Barbara Winslow
Mantan Moreland as Jefferson "Jeff" Jackson
Henry Victor as Dr. Miklos Sangre
John Archer as Bill Summers
Patricia Stacey as Alyce Sangre
Guy Usher as Admiral Arthur Wainwright
Marguerite Whitten as Samantha, the Maid
Leigh Whipper as Momba, the Butler
Madame Sul-Te-Wan as Tahama, the Cook and High Priestess
James Davis (credited as Jimmy) as Lazarus, a Zombie
Laurence Criner as Dr. Couillie

Production

King of the Zombies was announced in January 1941 as a vehicle for Bela Lugosi.^[2] It was inspired by the success of The Ghost Breakers (1940).^[1]

Lugosi was meant to play the role of Dr. Sangre.^[3] When he became unavailable, negotiations ensued to obtain Peter Lorre for the part, but a deal could not be reached.^[4] Veteran character actor Henry Victor was signed just prior to the date of filming.^[5]

Principal photography by Sterling Productions, Inc. began on March 28, 1941, and wrapped in early April, being primarily filmed on a studio back lot.

Wright Cyclone engines. ^{[Note 1]}

Release

In the press kit for King of the Zombies, Monogram advised exhibitors to sell "it along the same lines as Paramount's The Ghost Breakers (1940)." The Bob Hope horror/comedy was a runaway hit at the time.^[7]

Reception

Writing in The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia, academic Peter Dendle called King of the Zombies "... utterly absurd and delightful".^[3] Bruce G. Hallenbeck, who wrote Comedy-Horror Films, said that the film's politically incorrect humor comes off as innocent due to Moreland's delivery.^[7]

Awards

King of the Zombies was nominated for an

Academy Award for Best Music (Music Score of a Dramatic Picture) (Edward Kay).^[3]

Sequel

Two years later, King of the Zombies was followed by a sequel, of sorts, called Revenge of the Zombies (1943) that included two of the original cast members. Mantan Moreland reprised his role as Jeff. Madame Sul-Te-Wan was cast as Mammy Beulah, the housekeeper.

References

Notes

^ The aircraft appears as both a model and in disassembled form as a crashed aircraft.

Citations

^ ^a ^b Weaver 1993, pp. 36-45.
^ "Of local origin The New York Times, January 27, 1941, p. 11.
^ ^a ^b ^c Dendle 2001, pp. 96–97.
^ Schallert, Edwin. "Robinson, Ida Lupino chosen for 'Sea Beast': Award winner assigned Hepburn return imminent 'Cracked Nuts' cast set Sanders to act Nazi cop Lorre 'King of Zombies'." Los Angeles Times, March 1, 1941, p. 12.
^ Schallert, Edwin. "Disney, Goldwyn will coproduce fairy tale: Hayworth, Astaire duo Helen Parrish wins lead Autry subject revealed Purcell, Woodbury team Montgomery in dual role." Los Angeles Times, March 28, 1941, p. 26.
^ "Original print information: 'King of the Zombies'." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: August 18, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Hallenbeck 2009, pp. 32–34.