Crime Cult Classic

Bela Lugosi kidnaps for love, with voodoo rituals, zombie girls, and a meta-Hollywood wink.

VOODOO MAN

HIS LUST FOR VOODOOISM SPELLS D-O-O-M!

1944 · 1h 2m · NR · Crime / Drama / Horror · IMDB TMDB

A mad doctor (Bela Lugosi) and his helpers (John Carradine, George Zucco) lure girls to his lab for brain work, to help his wife.

▶ Watch Now My List

5,471 FilmsIn The Vault

Vault UpdatedDaily

Curated ByHumans

No AlgorithmBullsh*t

Vault Note

Only in 1944 could a gas station be the gateway to mad science and voodoo rituals.

Programmer's Pick

If you like your horror with a dash of Hollywood self-parody, look no further than Bela Lugosi as an undead-wife-obsessed doctor, aided by George Zucco and John Carradine—who, in addition to zombie-wrangling, provides his own bongo accompaniment. Voodoo Man manages to blend voodoo rituals, a gas station front, and a wink to the audience in just over an hour.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Quick Answer

What is Voodoo Man about?

Voodoo Man is a 1944 American crime, drama, and horror film directed by William Beaudine about a mad doctor who kidnaps young women to revive his deceased wife with the help of his eccentric assistants.

Themes & Keywords

voodoo mad doctor zombies kidnapping resurrection Hollywood meta gas station laboratory mad scientist henchman zombie girls screenwriter bongos

Synopsis

Nicholas (George Zucco) runs a filling station in the sticks. In reality, he is helping Dr. Richard Marlowe (Bela Lugosi) capture comely young ladies so he can transfer their life essences to his long-dead wife. Also assisting is Toby (John Carradine), who lovingly shepherds the left-over zombie girls and pounds on bongos during voodoo ceremonies. The hero is a Hollywood screenwriter who, at the end of the picture, turns the experience into a script titled "Voodoo Man". When his producer asks who should star in it, the hero suggests ... Bela Lugosi.

Details & Specs

Director: William Beaudine
Writer: Robert Charles
Release: 1944
Runtime: 1h 2m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Crime, Drama, Horror

Why Cult

Lugosi as Mad Doctor

Bela Lugosi brings his signature intensity to the role of Dr. Richard Marlowe, orchestrating life-essence transfers with sinister flair.

Zombie Girls & Bongos

John Carradine's Toby not only tends to a collection of zombie girls but also pounds bongos during voodoo ceremonies.

Meta Hollywood Ending

The film closes with its own story becoming a Hollywood script and a tongue-in-cheek suggestion to cast Bela Lugosi in the movie adaptation.

Trio of Horror Legends

Bela Lugosi, George Zucco, and John Carradine—three horror heavyweights—share the screen in this pulpy genre mashup.

Trailer

Questions from the Vault

What is Voodoo Man about? +

Voodoo Man follows Dr. Richard Marlowe, who abducts young women to use their life essences in a bid to reanimate his wife, aided by his associates Nicholas and Toby.

When was Voodoo Man released? +

Voodoo Man was released in 1944.

Who directed Voodoo Man? +

Voodoo Man was directed by William Beaudine.

How long is Voodoo Man? +

Voodoo Man has a runtime of 62 minutes.

What genre is Voodoo Man? +

Voodoo Man is a crime, drama, and horror film.

More in Crime

See All →

Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw