Voodoo Island (1957)

A wealthy property developer (Owen Cunningham) has plans to build a luxury resort on a remote South Pacific island. But when three of his employees disappear while doing some scouting and a fourth (Glenn Dixon) returns as a zombie, he sends a small expedition for further investigation. Directed by Reginald Le Borg, this minor horror entry is a rather mundane affair. There's very little actual horror unless you're terrified of voodoo dolls and the zombies are of a benign nature. They don't do much other than just stare at you. The titular star is Boris Karloff who plays a hoax buster rather than a monster or villain. The film doesn't so much end as peter out. By far the most interesting character is the lesbian played by Jean Engstrom, who spends most of the movie trying to seduce Beverly Tyler or fending off Rhodes Reason's sexual advances. Of course, being a lesbian in a 1957 Hollywood movie means she has to die but not before taking a nude swim. The film was shot on the lush island of Kauai in Hawaii but unfortunately was shot in B&W. The movie could have benefited from some color. With Adam West, Elisha Cook Jr. and Murvyn Vye.