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'''White Zombie''' is a 1932 American  horror film directed and independently produced by Victor and Edward Halperin. 

The screenplay by Garnett Weston, based on '''The Magic Island''' by William Seabrook, tells the story of a young woman's transformation into a zombie at the hands of an evil voodoo master. 

Béla Lugosi stars as the antagonist, Murder Legendre, with Madge Bellamy appearing as his victim. Other cast members included Robert W. Frazer, John Harron, and Joseph Cawthorn.

As Madge Bellamy plays the white zombie of the title, we are to assume that the first ever zombie film comes to us from an era when race was a live issue within the study of zombiism.

Some of '''White Zombie''' was shot on the Universal Studios lot, borrowing many props and scenery from other horror films of the era.

'''White Zombie''' opened in New York to negative reception, with reviewers criticizing the film's over-the-top story and weak acting performances. While the film made a substantial financial profit as an independent feature, it proved to be less popular than other horror films of the time.

'''White Zombie''' is considered the first feature length zombie film. A sequel to the film, titled [[Revolt of the Zombies]], opened in 1936. 

Modern reception to '''White Zombie''' has been more positive than its initial release. Some critics have praised the atmosphere of the film, comparing it to the 1940s horror film productions of Val Lewton, while others still have an unfavorable opinion on the quality of the acting.

==What I Like==

It is a relief to realise that the acting in White Zombie was considered weak even in its day. It makes entertaining use of close-ups and special effects, particularly superimposed images, such as the bride and broken bottles frame. 

[[Category:Film]]
[[Category:Horror]]