White zombie : anatomy of a horror film / Gary D. Rhodes ; foreword by George E. Turner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rhodes, Gary Don, 1972-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

White zombie (Motion picture).

Physical Description:

viii, 352 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, [2001]

Summary:

The 1932 horror film White Zombie starring Bela Lugosi has received controversial attention from film reviewers and scholars--but it is unarguably a cult classic worthy of study. This book analyzes the film text from nearly every possible viewpoint, using both academic and popular film theories. Also supplied is an extensive intellectual history of the predecessor works to White Zombie, as well as information on the significance it carried for subsequent books and films, its theatrical release around the country, its modern cultural influence, and the attempts to restore the film to its original state. Other noteworthy features of this work include an in-depth biography of White Zombie director Victor Halperin, the first complete study of his life and career, and 244 images and photographs.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Analyzing the Texts and Contexts: White Zombie Under Scrutiny 13

Chapter 2 Casting the Mold: The Pre-Halperin World of Voodoo and Zombies 70

Chapter 3 Bringing an Independent Film to Life: White Zombie in Production 89

Chapter 4 Exhibiting the Land of the Living Dead: White Zombie on First Release 115

Chapter 5 Continuing the Tradition: More Voodoo, More Zombies 161

Chapter 6 Creeping Back from the Grave: White Zombie's Modern Cultural Impact 185

Chapter 7 Preserving the History: The Restoration of White Zombie 194

Chapter 8 Re-examining the Reputation: White Zombie Under Modern Critical Scrutiny 202

Chapter 9 Reviewing the Literature: White Zombie in Print 210

Chapter 10 Reconstructing a Director: The Life and Career of Victor Hugo Halperin 216

Appendix A Reviews of The Magic Island 251

Appendix B Zombie Program Information 253

Appendix C Reviews of Zombie 255

Appendix D White Zombie Cast and Credits 257

Appendix E White Zombie Pressbook Information 258

Appendix F Additional White Zombie Ballyhoo 263

Appendix G Reviews of White Zombie 265

Appendix H White Zombie Theater Grosses 269

Appendix I White Zombie British Pressbook Information 273

Appendix J White Zombie Videocassette Releases 280

Appendix K Subsequent Careers of White Zombie's Cast, Crew, and Auxiliaries 282

Appendix L Revolt of the Zombies Pressbook Information 290

Appendix M Victor Halperin Family Scrapbook Photographs 291

Appendix N Cast and Credits for Other Victor Halperin Films 295

Appendix O Strange Lands and Seven Seas 302

Appendix P White Zombie Shot List 305.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 319-344) and index.

ISBN:

0786409886

OCLC:

46602691