Voodoo Man ** (1944, Bela Lugosi, John Carradine, George Zucco) – Classic Movie Review 2482

‘HIS LUST FOR VOODOOISM SPELLS D-O-O-M!’ Bela Lugosi stars as voodoo-practising Dr Richard Marlowe, who tries to save his zombie wife from a 20-year-long trance by abducting other ladies and reducing them to a catatonic state to transfer their life force to her. He keeps them imprisoned in the dungeon beneath his mansion.

Director William Beaudine’s 1944 movie is silly zombie nonsensical junk, bereft of thrills despite the stalwart efforts to please of the confident and talented star cast, who really deserve far, far better. But there is no doubt that it could be considerable camp fun to enjoy and laugh over if you are in the mood.

It is certainly worth while for the star trio. Lugosi is on good form, John Carradine enjoys himself as Toby, the kidnapped girls’ cellar jailer, and so does George Zucco as Nicholas, the local filling station garage keeper who drives the hapless young women into Lugosi’s lair. It’s a hoot as Lugosi lovingly shepherds the leftover zombie girls in his dungeon and pounds on bongos during voodoo ceremonies to try revive his wife.

And another pair of assets are Marcel Le Picard’s cinematography and Dave Milton’s set designs, which make it look eye-catching and help to belie a poverty row Monogram Pictures studios low budget.

Also in the cast are Michael Ames, Ellen Hall, Wanda McKay, Louise Currie, Tod Andrews, Terry Walker, Mary Currier, Claire James, Henry Hall, Dan White, Pat McKee, Mici Goty, John Ince and Ralph Littlefield.

Voodoo Man was shot in seven days from 16 October 1943 and was the last of Lugosi’s nine Monogram films, but released on 21 February 1944 before Return of the Ape Man (1944) on 17 July 1944. 

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2482

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com