Revenge of the Zombies

The title implies a far greater sense of purpose than the walking dead actually display in this Monogram quickie. Zombies usually stagger, but this time they orderly march in line, their slow pace presumably compensated for by the fact they work for no wages. They're an emaciated bunch apart from Veda Ann Borg, more unnerving than usual since for once she hardly says a word.

In this poverty row quickie, John Carradine plays an Axis scientist who is trying to create a zombie army to defeat the Allies in WW2. However, he gets more than he bargained for when he turns his own wife into a zombie.

This Monogram comedy/horror quickie is pretty much zombified itself. Even the big climax isn't much. One scene of Carradine in his lab has some visual flair, but mostly this film is shot in medium. The film only comes to life when Mantan Moreland gets to do his stuff. I'm aware that Mantan Moreland is considered "politically incorrect" by most of today's self illuminated cultural and intellectual elite, but Moreland always gave a professional performance. His comic timing is perfect. Sybil Lewis is quite good as the straight women for Mantan to play off.

This movie is another example of the genius of Poverty Row studios, like Monogram, Republic, Mascot, etc. Who can argue with the kind of comedic mystery represented by Charlie Chan, The Purple Monster, The Tiger Woman, Radio Ranch, Rocket Man, and zombie movies like this.

The plot has to do with a mad scientist who wants to create an army of zombie Storm Troopers to help the Nazi's conquer America. (Be sure to look for an early scene where the zombies are assembled and goose step in formation). I don't think we need to go any farther into the story. It is only important to realize that this is Saturday Matinee entertainment in it's purest form.

It is one of the only forums where one can see the sinister elegance of a John Carradine, as well as the comic genius of a Mantan Moreland, all the while enjoying a virtual parade of second string pre-prime, and post-prime players. In this case we find Gale Storm (pre My Little Margie), and Bob Steele (post cowboy). A mute Veda Ann Borg, as the zombie wife, reminds us that her voice was as important as her acting. Speaking of Mantan Moreland; it is really too bad that PC guilt won't allow for the recognition he deserves.

I urge anyone who is interested in a little Saturday entertainment to catch this little gem if you can. You won't be disappointed. If you like it, and I know you will, you might want to check out another called "The Whip Hand".

Scott Warrington and Detective Larry Adams arrive in Louisiana to mourne the death of his sister Lila, he is shocked to learn that his brother in law, Doctor Max von Altermann, has a very strange plan for his deceased wife.

For 1943 it's somewhat ahead of the curve, two things stand out, the casting and the content. It features a pretty diverse cast, good to see, especially in horror.

I have never really associated the 40's with zombie movies, so it did come as something of a surprise, the trouble is, it's not particularly good. It's pretty slow, it's very dialogue heavy, and the story, though well imagined, is badly realised.

Doctor von Altermann is an interesting one it's fair to say, the typical maniacal villain, one who'd fit in well in one of today's horror thrillers, the archetypal megalomaniacal villain.

Not the finest hour for either John Carradine or Mantan Morland, but there's no denying that the pair have a degree of presence.

Watch it as a curiosity, just don't expect too much.

4/10.

This is surprisingly well made. The direction features quite a bit of camera movement for a quickie, the photography boasts some moody shadows and interesting wide angle lens effects, the swamp graveyard set is cool, and above all it's well acted--with Moreland doing his thing but the rest of the cast giving their all. And the music score is also well done not too much music either--not the wall to wall stock music approach in this film.

There is a lab/montage scene that is pretty elaborate and well done. There is another nice tidy montage to show time passing at a dinner party which has a funny pay off line and the last shot has an unusual pay off as well.

Carradine fans will enjoy his bug eyed entrance into the film but for the most part he plays it pretty straight/sober and he has a kind of memorable exit from the film--not to give it away.

The intentions I guess are mainly comic though it's not all that funny you almost wish they had just gone for serious horror yet it isn't campy for the most part and it's an all professional job.

The script holds it back from becoming above average though it is above average in all departments for this low budget genre of the era. Even the sets though not memorable don't look impoverished and the lab has quite a bit of gear in it.

The direction really impressed me with always making the most out of every situation--within the restricted scale of the movie.

One interesting thing, and you know this right away, is Nazi scientist Carradine kills and zombifies his wife, she does occasionally speak and they do a kind of interesting hollow sound to her voice. I think this film may be the first of the Nazi dead army plot movies tough it's certainly not the best one.

All said and done on a script level you pretty much get what you'd expect which isn't much but the movie almost won me over and fans of this era of genre films could do a lot better but you could do a lot worse as well.