The Walking Dead (1936)

After hapless pianist and ex-con John Elman is framed for murder, he is resurrected by a scientist after his execution.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Ewart Adamson (screen play), Peter Milne (screen play)

Stars:

Boris Karloff, Ricardo Cortez, Edmund Gwenn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Boris Karloff	...	John Ellman
Ricardo Cortez	...	Nolan
Edmund Gwenn	...	Dr. Evan Beaumont
Marguerite Churchill	...	Nancy
Warren Hull	...	Jimmy
Barton MacLane	...	Loder
Henry O'Neill	...	District Attorney Werner
Joe King	...	Judge Roger Shaw (as Joseph King)
Addison Richards	...	Prison Warden
Paul Harvey	...	Blackstone
Robert Strange	...	Merritt
Joe Sawyer	...	Trigger Smith (as Joseph Sawyer)
Eddie Acuff	...	Betcha
Kenneth Harlan	...	Stephen Martin
Miki Morita	...	Sako

Storyline

A gang of racketeers frames down-on-his-luck John Ellman for murder. After a trial finds him guilty, evidence is brought forth proving his innocence, but it is too late and he is executed anyway. A doctor sees an opportunity to use an experimental procedure to restore him to life but is that entirely possible? Desirable?

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Plot Keywords:

back from the dead | downed electrical power line | psychotronic film | monster movie | zombie | 

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Taglines:

THE BODY OF A GIANT! THE MIND OF A FIEND! RETURNED FROM THE DEAD TO WREAK VENGEANCE UPON HIS PERSECUTORS!! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming began on November 23 (Boris Karloff's 48th birthday) and lasted 18 days, finishing December 23 1935.

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Goofs

When the two crooks shoot at John Ellman, they fire seven rounds from a revolver that holds but six rounds.

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Quotes

John Ellman: Why did you have me killed?

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Connections

Referenced in Zombie (1979)

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Soundtracks

The Lady in Red
Lyrics (unused) by Mort Dixon
Music by Allie Wrubel
Whistled by Joe Sawyer

User Reviews

Karloff at his low key best

This movie is enjoyable escapism. Karloff is framed and dies in the electric chair even as the Governor is trying to reach the warden to stop the execution because two witnesses have finally come forward who can prove Karloff's innocence. Edmund Gwenn plays a doctor who is able to immediately bring Karloff back to life (I told you it was escapism). Throughout the remainder of the film Karloff quietly confronts the men who framed him, including his crooked attorney. The manner in which the "bad-guys" get what's coming to them makes for an interesting story. Karloff plays his character as basically a gentle, soft spoken individual who seems more interested in finding out why he was framed than in extracting revenge. My only real criticism is that the classical music selection used throughout the film is overdone and tends to get on the nerves after awhile. It's a very dreary piece to start with and not the type of music to heighten the films' enjoyment. The point was made at least twice that it was the Karloff character's favorite musical piece. I promise that, after hearing it throughout the run of this film, it will not be yours'.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 March 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Walking Dead

Filming Locations:

Inglewood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$217,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1