I Walked with a Zombie (1943)


After the success of Cat People Val Lewton was given another title from which to make a film.  This time it was the somewhat lurid title I Walked with a Zombie.  The script was written partially by Curt Siodmak before Ardel Wray took over and was somewhat based on an article written by Inez Wallace, with a heavy dose of Jane Eyre thrown in at Lewton's request.  The result was a classic tale of Voodoo wrapped up with a fair amount of family scandal.

Betsy (Frances Dee) is a Canadian nurse that is provided an opportunity for a high salary.  To earn it she must go to the Caribbean island of Saint Sebastian.  There a major sugar cane plantation is owned by Paul Holland (Tom Conway) and his half-brother Wesley Rand (James Ellison).  Betsy is tasked with taking care of Paul's wife Jessica (Christine Gordon), who after a fever has fallen into a catatonic trance.  

While taking care of her employer's wife Betsy begins to fall in love with Paul.  Unfortunately, Wesley has a drinking problem, and there is animosity between the brothers is due to whatever happened with Jessica.  Their mother (Edith Barrett) also lives on the island, working at the local hospital.  However, she, like the rest of her family, hides some secrets, as do the plantation workers.  However, in their secret practices, there may be a cure for Jessica. 

It is important to note that the idea of a zombie was much different prior to Night of the Living Dead.  They were not undead flesh-eating creatures but rather human beings who had their free will removed from them by evil landowners or vengeful medicine men.  The general image of a zombie at the time is Carrefour (Darby Jones), a gaunt creature with blank, unblinking eyes who was no more than a puppet for whomever had turned him.  This look became popularized to the point where Darby returned in other movies, including the spoof Zombies on Broadway, with the same makeup. 

While this has the title of a horror film and some elements the core story is the mystery about what happened to Jessica, the budding romance between Betsy and Paul and the source of the wedge between the brothers.  Jacques Tourneur, who had directed Cat People for Lewton, once again provides some wonderful cinematography on a shoestring budget.  The trip through the sugarcane, with Betsy leading Jessica and encountering Carrefour, is quite striking with its claustrophobic feel and expert use of shadows.  It is a truly creepy moment in a movie that is focused on drama.

The story works well enough that the movie has become a horror classic despite the lack of typical scares.  This is to the credit of Francis Dee, Tom Conway and James Ellison, all of whom put in solid and believable performances.  Unfortunately, Lewton and Tourneur would only work once again on The Leopard Man.  

I Walked with a Zombie (1943)
Time: 69 minutes
Starring: Frances Dee, Tom Conway, James Ellison, Edith Barrett, Christine Gordon
Director: Jacques Tourneur

 

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