As of 2025, remains the only zombie-related film to be nominated for an Academy Award in any category (in this instance, Best Original Score for a Dramatic Picture).
The role of Dr. Victor Sangre was designed for Bela Lugosi. When he became unavailable, furious negotiations ensued to obtain Peter Lorre for the part, but a deal could not be reached. Veteran character actor Henry Victor was signed just prior to the date of filming as was Monogram's usual practice.
In the presskit for this film, Monogram blatantly advised exhibitors to sell "it along the same lines as [Paramount's] O Castelo Sinistro (1940)." The Bob Hope horror/comedy was a runaway hit at the time.
This supposedly started out as a straight horror film and would be advertised as such. When the comedy thriller O Castelo Sinistro (1940) with Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard became a big hit for Paramount, some changes were made. The original director was replaced with Jean Yarbrough, who had prior experience directing comedies. The film would be edited by Richard C. Currier, who had edited many comedies at the Hal Roach Studios. An additional character, Jeff, was added and would be played by Monogram's premier comedy relief, Mantan Moreland.
The film has an unofficial sequel with two of the original cast members, with Mantan Moreland reprising his role as Jeff in A Vingança dos Zombies (1943).