A professor comes into possession of an amulet with magical powers.A professor comes into possession of an amulet with magical powers.A professor comes into possession of an amulet with magical powers.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Fred Aldrich
- Cop
- (uncredited)
Leon Alton
- Observer on Street
- (uncredited)
Phil Arnold
- Bald-Headed Man
- (uncredited)
Ella Mae Brown
- Maid
- (uncredited)
Oliver Cross
- Country Club Member
- (uncredited)
George DeNormand
- Country Club Member
- (uncredited)
Susan Dorn
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
Angus Duncan
- Sergeant
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWilliam Castle: [gimmick] Upon its initial theatrical release, "Zotz" plastic coins were given to ticket buyers.
- GoofsWhen Professor Jones is being given directions, the officer tells him that the five sides of the Pentagon building are lettered A through E. This is not correct. The letter designations are given to the five pentagonal "rings", with A the innermost and E the outermost. Ten numbered corridors connect the rings. Offices are designated by floor number, ring letter, corridor and room number, e.g., 4C515, a system that is far less complicated than the one being explained.
- Quotes
William Castle: [points at the Columbia logo] Zotz!
Torch Lady: Zotz? What's Zotz?
- Crazy creditsAt the end of the closing credits, the Torch Lady in the Columbia Pictures logo smiles and says "Zotz all!"
- ConnectionsFeatures Homicidal (1961)
- SoundtracksYou're in the Army Now
(uncredited)
Music by Isham Jones
Lyrics by Tell Taylor and Ole Olsen
Played in the Pentagon scenes
Featured review
I own an original copy of this movie on VHS and a copy of Walter Karig's book of the same title. They are both little treasures and should be enjoyed when they are available to you.
Karig's book is a satirical little allegory and ends in a manner quite unlike the movie. I don't want to give away the ending of either, but I can assure you that you will enjoy reading the book even if you have already seen the movie (and vice-versa.) I will warn you, though, that the ending in the book is NOT necessarily a happy one.
As for the movie, it is indeed a departure from the norm for William Castle, but he dabbled in comedy in several other movies, so it is not THAT out of character. After all, the movie deals with what are essentially supernatural forces.
Contrary to what some other reviewers have written, I would argue that this move is much closer in tone to Disney's "Absent-Minded Professor" movies. There are the usual bumbling academics, the sexy-but-safe women, the well-meaning but suspicious Federal agents, the vaguely- threatening-but-incompetent foreign agents, and the likable and innocent hero. When the day is done, the hero defeats the villains, the self-righteous get their comeuppance, the girl gets the guy, and the "secret" is lost again...maybe.
The FX are about average for B-movies of that period. As a kid, I was astonished, but they definitely show their age when I watch it now.
I really think that kids today would enjoy seeing this movie. Give it a chance, if you get one. This is one rare movie to find on tape.
Karig's book is a satirical little allegory and ends in a manner quite unlike the movie. I don't want to give away the ending of either, but I can assure you that you will enjoy reading the book even if you have already seen the movie (and vice-versa.) I will warn you, though, that the ending in the book is NOT necessarily a happy one.
As for the movie, it is indeed a departure from the norm for William Castle, but he dabbled in comedy in several other movies, so it is not THAT out of character. After all, the movie deals with what are essentially supernatural forces.
Contrary to what some other reviewers have written, I would argue that this move is much closer in tone to Disney's "Absent-Minded Professor" movies. There are the usual bumbling academics, the sexy-but-safe women, the well-meaning but suspicious Federal agents, the vaguely- threatening-but-incompetent foreign agents, and the likable and innocent hero. When the day is done, the hero defeats the villains, the self-righteous get their comeuppance, the girl gets the guy, and the "secret" is lost again...maybe.
The FX are about average for B-movies of that period. As a kid, I was astonished, but they definitely show their age when I watch it now.
I really think that kids today would enjoy seeing this movie. Give it a chance, if you get one. This is one rare movie to find on tape.
- How long is Zotz!?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content