We all know that a zombie is a creature that appears in folklore and popular culture typically as a reanimated corpse or a mindless human being. A mindless human being? Uh, oh. Grab a box of popcorn because today we are going to take a look at a few zombie movie trailers from films that span three decades.In 1959 writer/director Ed Wood released the movie Plan 9 From Outer Space. The plot involves extraterrestrial beings who are seeking to stop humans from creating a doomsday weapon that would destroy the universe. In the course of doing so, the aliens implement "Plan 9", a scheme to resurrect Earth's dead as zombies to get the planet's attention, causing chaos. This film was dubbed the worst movie ever made and Wood received the Golden Turkey Award as the worst director.
Another bad zombie movie was released in 1968, The Astro-Zombies, starring John Carradine as the mad scientist, Dr. DeMarco. The plot of this film centers around a crazy, disgruntled scientist who decides to create superhuman monsters from the body parts of innocent murder victims. The creatures eventually escape and go on a killing spree. This low budget movie eventually gained cult status and reportedly made a whopping three million dollars.
Finally, in 1978 the release of the award winning film Dawn of the Dead, written and directed by George Romero, hit the theaters. The plot - following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall. Dawn of the Dead has been heavily praised in film reviews since its release, currently holding a 95% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The 25th anniversary issue of Fangoria named it the best horror film of 1979 and Entertainment Weekly ranked it #27 on a list of "The Top 50 Cult Films".
I hope you enjoyed today's look at zombies in film. Grab the kids and lock your doors! With Halloween fast approaching, no doubt, zombies may be coming to a neighborhood near you.
My kids are zombies, so I deal with that all the time.
ReplyDeleteYou honor me, when you honor zombies.
ReplyDeleteFor that? I thank-you.
hee hee
@ Lee - There are times I, took, take on a zombie-like state. So, I can relate.
ReplyDelete@ Quirky - I definitely had you in mind as I composed this. Glad you enjoyed it!
Classics all. I love nothing better than a good old schlocky (schlocky in a good way) zombie horror film. Yeah, nom, nom, nom.
ReplyDeleteYowzah! Bloody good zombie post! Loved (hated?) the trailers - lol. Hey great blog ya got goin here. You have GOT to be a Quirky pal, she's my most zombified bloggy buddy in all of bloggydom - although I can see the infection is celarly spreading (wink). Thanks for visiting my blog today - we must stay in touch!
ReplyDeleteThe Old Silly
I saw the word Zombies and had to check out what was up here at Me-Me's. :) I should have known Quirky would have already beat a path to your door.
ReplyDeleteNot even a slow, shuffling old school zombie path. Maybe she's one of those newfangled speedy zombies. :)
During the week I work in Tucson. So I know what it's like to be around "mindless human beings."
ReplyDeleteBela Lugosi dies halfway through, and he just keeps right on a-filmin'. You gotta admire the moxie of a director who doesn't let the fact that his leading man is no longer breathing slow down his shooting schedule.
ReplyDeleteOne of my personal zombie favorites is "From Dusk til Dawn". Mostly because it was so freaking bizarre! Quentin Tarantino is one sick bastard!
ReplyDelete@ Dufus - I am fascinated by Ed Wood's best worst movie ever made. A true classic.
ReplyDelete@ Marvin - Thanks for stoppin' by, I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. Come again!
@ Jenn - I remember your zombie story where motorists were being warned of a zombie invasion, good stuff.
@ Burning Cactus - Funny, I used to live in Tucson and I have to agree with you. I think it has to do something with being their proximity to manana-land.
@ Adnoxious - Bingo, give the man a prize! You must truly be a fan of Ed Wood.
@ CatLadyLarew - I remember the first time I saw that film - it freaked me out. This was a great collaboration between Tarantino, who directed the first half of the film, and Robert Rodriquez who directed the second half starting with the zombies. I'm watching it tonight!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm happy for Quirky, but now kinda scared to go to bed tonight. How bad a mom would I be if I swiped the kid's nightlight? (It's not like she isn't going to be asleep at the time, and she rarely wakes up before dawn.)
ReplyDeletePlan 9 is the only one of those that I have seen. I loved Ed Wood. (the movie)
ReplyDeleteThey need to make another good zombie movie and add Quirks to the cast.LOL! Hey I would pay to see it!
ReplyDeleteI, too, will need a light on tonight. Hubby is a zombie tonight. Maybe I will sleep downstairs. I need all the brainz I still have.
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