
A cold and calculating scientist an agent of the “east”, aided by corrupt local law enforcement plots to turn the population of the United States into Zombies by releasing a chemical agent into the air or water supply.
A group of teenagers captured after visiting the Island retreat of Doctor Myra the eastern scientist eventually save the day.
The gorilla in the poster is at first a zombie but then after drinking an antidote returns to its ‘natural’ state (violent) and aids the teenagers by attacking the villains.
The motif of female abduction used extensively in movies and advertising of the period is an ancient theme. An early medieval arrival on the shores of Europe. It had firmly attached itself to simians by the late 17th century. Traditionally it is used to identify an animal in a non-natural state i.e a cultural using creature. in a natural state and subject to natural law animals do not keep captives. The late 17th century and the 1950’s and 60’s are moments of high inflection in regard to the history of this concept.
The zombie in contrast has not proved as stable, recently undergoing alteration and an explosion in popularity. Here it is a thing of mind with its victims depicted in a hypnotic state. It is however the central theme of the film.