Le roi des zombies

Mantan Moreland really shines in this movie. He was a great character actor, and he had a LOT of screen time in King Of The Zombies. He wasn't a supporting character in King Of The Zombies; his part was equal among the main players and his name shared equal billing in the opening credits.

Forget what others say about racial stereotyping and enjoy his performance. The man worked with what he was given and took it to as much of a polished performance as possible. Blame Hollywood, not the actor, if you don't like his performance. His takes and reactions were superb. Smiley Burnette and Lou Costello did the same thing in "scary" situations, but Mantan Moreland had a flair for the comedy take that set him apart. He really was great on screen.

King Of The Zombies itself is not the best for a mystery/adventure movie from the time period, but it has the right feel for the time period if you like old movies. All the right elements are there for a fun movie. Why it doesn't really work better is a mystery. Don't expect too much and you will have a good time watching this one.

I was sat home alone one Sunday afternoon with nothing to do so i decided to give this movie a chance. I was expecting nothing from it and was very pleasantly surprised. I believe anyone going into this film with any expectations of a chilling horror film will be truly disappointed.

I wouldn't really know how to describe the film other than an interesting way to pass some empty time and the perfect sort of film to watch with a few friends over a drink or two.

The ending of the film could be longer and built up better but all in all i enjoyed this movie

This film (along with "Dr. X" & "Night Monster") rank as my all-time fave Top Three! (I own over 1k films)!

Why? That "Master of Scared-Reaction Comedy", Mantan Moreland takes an (other-wise) dull film & adds a lot of "zip" into it! I think this was his finest role! He does MUCH to improve a cast who's acting (especially the two "heros") is as "wooden" as the zombies themselves!

My favorite line is when the "hero" & Mantan are walking through a dark secret passage, holding a torch. Voodoo drums begin to sound. "What's that?", says the Hero. "I dunno", answers Mantan, "...but it ain't GENE KRUPA!". A scream!

This film WILL offend the "Politically Correct" as "degrading Negro stereotypes", but these people have to realise that Morelan was a Comic GENIUS who also played these "scared reaction" comedy roles for BLACK directors, and the Black Movie-Going Community of the 30's and 40's.

You MUST SEE this film, if only for Mantan's marvellous comedy!

When a plane crashes on a remote South American island during a bad storm, the planes three occupants find themselves in a doctor's mansion where strange things appear to be going on. The pilot, a government guy and his manservant must get to the bottom of the zombies appearance on the island and the doctors' sinister plan involving them.

Jean (The Devil Bat) Yarbrough's direction is quick and sure in the funny, underappreciated gem from the early 1940's. The film moves along after a very snappy pace and never drags. Not high on production value, loved the cheesy model of the plane crash in the beginning, King has a very high energy level thanks to the hilarious antics of the always entertaining Mantan (Spider Baby) Moreland. Easily the highlight of the film Moreland's bug-eyed often off-color schtick made this rather routine film is loads of fun. Good fun for anyone who likes a classic voodoo zombie kind of film with an outstanding comedy performance.

This movie is a gem. Even though some politically correct idiots criticize some of the 'stereotypical' black behavior, ignore them. This movie is funny and anything funny is good.

Mantan Moreland is the main reason to see this movie. He steals every scene and turns a slow, and ultra low budget horror movie into a laugh riot.

This movies has everything; laughs, zombies, hypnotism, a voodoo priestess and a German Spy. Plus, Mantan Moreland's one liners are hysterical.

"Being a zombie sure has its disadvantages".

Looking at voodoo priestess: Mantan : Who's Methusalah? I know a museum that would give a fortune just to get her under glass. What's cooking? Samantha : That's brew. Mantan : Brew? Home Brew in this day and age? Why, don't you people know Prohibition has been repealed? Samantha:How's it taste? Mantan : I don't know but it ain't Kosher.

Dr. Sangre : The living dead? Mantan : That's it. That's what they is, dead folks that's too lazy to lie down!

Whether this 1941 movie is politically correct in the 21st century is irrelevant. Plus, it is indicative of it's time. It's stupid for critics to try to censor or dismiss this movie merely because of political correctness. The movie is funny and funny is timeless and divine.