Revenge of the Zombies

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".

After hearing about the sudden death of his sister, a man by the name of "Scott Warrington" (Mauritz Hugo) and two friends named "Larry Adams" (Robert Lowery) and "Jeff" (Mantan Moreland) head out to the Louisiana swamps to find out what happened. But first they meet a doctor by the name of "Harvey Keating" (Barry Macollum) who tells them that after examining the body of "Lila von Alterman" (Veda Ann Borg) he is convinced that she did not die of a heart attack like he was originally told by her husband "Dr. Max Heinrich von Alterman" (John Carradine). Dr. Keating suspects she was poisoned. When they get to the house of Dr. von Alterman they find the body of Lila and discover that she is quite dead. Not long afterward her body disappears and they further discover that there are things going on that are extremely unusual and these discoveries could pose a grave threat to the United States. Anyway, rather than detail the rest of the story and possibly spoil the film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a likable film for the most part. One thing I should mention though is that it bears a striking resemblance to a movie made two years earlier called "King of the Zombies". Unlike that movie though this one was made during World War II and features--Nazi swamp zombies! Also included are two attractive actresses named Gale Storm (as "Jennifer Rand") and the aforementioned Veda Ann Borg. Add in some creepiness along with some humor for good measure and this movie manages to entertain fairly well for a B-movie of this type. I rate it as average.

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.

One of low budget horror schlockmeister actor, John Carradine's more animated roles as a implied Nazi scientist, who is turning humans into zombies to serve the Reich. Mindless scuffling brain dead, only able to obey the most simple of orders....bit like staff in McDonalds.

Hitler isn't mentioned by name, since America wasn't at war at the time they was filmed, but it's pretty obvious who the bad guys are working for!

There seems to be two types of zombies in film, the traditional voodoo type popular in the old black & white films of the 1930's and '40's. Blank eyed and just following the commands of someone else as they stumble along. And then there is the type we know from later films like 'The Night of the Living Dead' and 'The Evil Dead.' Still roaming about but with only the intention to kill and eat the flesh and brains of their victims. Both have their moments in various movies over the years.

'Revenge' features the former zombie type, although, these are particularly goofy looking and would look more at home in an old time freak shows as geeks as they bite the heads off chickens. One black zombie named Lazarus with his wild hair, looks like a young Don King.

As to the plot, the evil doctor decides to make his wife a zombie along with the others and that's where he makes his mistake. Even though he lets her keep her strappy heels as a nice womanly touch as he turns her into one of the living dead, she's not happy about it.

It all goes horribly wrong and ends in tears, and the moral of the tale must be, never, ever, turn your wife into a zombie, it's just asking for trouble....

The film is interesting enough and it quickly rolls along to a finish, but never rises above it's poverty row origins. Not a patch on any true zombie classics but fun just the same.

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.