Zombies on Broadway

Zombies on Broadway

Year: 1945

Runtime: 69 mins

Language: English

Director: Gordon Douglas

ComedyHorror

Two hapless press agents are tasked by their former gangster boss, now owner of a trendy nightclub, to track down a real zombie for a promotional stunt. With a deadline looming and their jobs on the line, they stumble through chaotic encounters, desperate to secure the undead performer before the boss’s revenge catches up with them.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Zombies on Broadway yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Zombies on Broadway (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Zombies on Broadway (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Broadway, New York, San Sebastian, Virgin Islands

The story opens in the bustling Broadway showbiz scene before shifting to a Caribbean island. Jerry and Mike’s plan centers on the launch of a nightclub and its sensational act, anchored in spectacle. The action moves to the remote island of San Sebastian in the Virgin Islands, where Renault’s secret laboratory and Kalaga’s menace loom over the opening night.

🎭 Showbiz 🧟 Supernatural 🕵️ Crime

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:06

Main Characters – Zombies on Broadway (1945)

Meet the key characters of Zombies on Broadway (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jerry Miles (Wally Brown)

A quick-witted Broadway press agent who schemes to hire a genuine zombie for the opening of Ace Miller's club. He relies on improvisation and bold risks to outpace rivals, but his plans are haunted by real danger when a real zombie enters the picture.

🎭 Showbiz 🧟 Zombie 🗝️ Deception

Mike Strager (Alan Carney)

Jerry’s partner in schemes, equally eager to land a sensational act. He’s resourceful but anxious about delivering a real zombie, and becomes entangled in Renault’s dangerous experiments as events spiral out of control.

🎭 Showbiz 🧟 Zombie 🗝️ Deception

Jean LaDance (Anne Jeffreys)

A cabaret singer who helps locate Professor Renault in exchange for passage off the island. She becomes entangled in Renault’s plans, is captured and escapes, and ultimately aids the protagonists.

🎤 Showbiz 🧭 Adventure

Professor Renault (Bela Lugosi)

A zombie expert who runs a hidden laboratory on San Sebastian and wields a secret serum. He manipulates the pursuit of a real zombie, blurring ethics with curiosity and control over life and death.

🧪 Science 🧟 Supernatural

Ace Miller (Sheldon Leonard)

A ruthless nightclub owner and gangster who threatens Miles and Strager if they fail to deliver a real zombie. He embodies the criminal side of show business, wielding fear to maintain power over his club and crew.

💬 Crime 🕶️ Gangster

Kalaga - the Zombie (Darby Jones)

Renault’s zombie creation, used as leverage in the conflict between Renault and Ace Miller. Kalaga epitomizes the danger of a science-driven obsession turned real threat.

🧟 Supernatural ⚠️ Danger

Douglas Walker (Louis Jean Heydt)

A radio celebrity and Miller’s nemesis who threatens to humiliate Miller on air if a real zombie isn’t present. He represents the media’s appetite for sensationalism and the power to shape public perception.

🗞️ Media 🕵️ Crime

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:06

Major Themes – Zombies on Broadway (1945)

Explore the central themes of Zombies on Broadway (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Identity

The film plays with performance versus reality, as characters craft appearances for others while hidden threats lurk beneath. Jerry and Mike engineer a convincing zombie act to secure Miller’s backing, blurring lines between show and danger. The real stakes surface when the line between deception and crime becomes perilous for everyone involved.

⚗️ Science

Renault’s experiments and the serum introduce a moral conflict about manipulating life for entertainment or power. The pursuit of a real zombie reveals the perils of scientific hubris and the potential for science to be weaponized. The story suggests consequences when curiosity collides with criminal aims and public spectacle.

🎤 Showbiz

Show business serves as both backdrop and driver, with the Zombie Hut’s opening acting as a battleground for fear, fame, and finance. Promoters, performers, and criminals collide as the audience’s appetite for sensationalism drives dangerous choices. The plot uses the carnival of entertainment to critique how glamor can mask coercion and risk.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:06

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Bumbling Heroes like in Zombies on Broadway

Hilarious chaos ensues as lovable underdogs stumble through high-stakes assignments.Looking for more comedies where lovable underdogs fumble their way to success? This collection features films similar to Zombies on Broadway, with incompetent protagonists on madcap missions, blending slapstick humor with fast-paced adventure.

slapstickchaoticgoofyfranticadventurecomedy duomadcap

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear quest where protagonists are given a clear, often ridiculous, objective. The plot is propelled by a series of escalating misadventures and misunderstandings, with the heroes' incompetence creating most of the obstacles. Despite the peril, the tone remains light, and the journey concludes with a successful, often lucky, resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their central comedic premise: the endearing incompetence of the main characters. They share a fast, chaotic pace, a light tone that downplays genuine danger, and a focus on physical humor and witty dialogue amid frantic situations.

Pulp Adventure Comedies Similar to Zombies on Broadway

Fast-paced, lightweight thrillers that mix adventure tropes with comedic spoofing.If you enjoyed the goofy thrills of Zombies on Broadway, you'll like these other pulp adventure comedies. Discover movies that spoof adventure genres with mad scientists, island quests, and nightclub shenanians, all delivered with a light, comedic touch.

pulp adventurethrillingtense momentsgoofyspoofisland questmad scientist

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often begin with a mundane premise that quickly escalates into an outrageous adventure, frequently involving a quest to a mysterious location. They feature archetypal characters like cunning mob bosses and eccentric scientists, using these tropes for humor rather than horror or genuine suspense. The narrative is straightforward, focusing on a series of sensational but ultimately harmless encounters.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their specific blend of genre parody and lighthearted adventure. They share a fast pace, medium intensity that comes from situational comedy rather than deep emotion, and a playful approach to genre conventions, making the danger feel like part of the fun.

Unlock the Full Story of Zombies on Broadway

Don't stop at just watching — explore Zombies on Broadway in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Zombies on Broadway is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Zombies on Broadway Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Zombies on Broadway, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Zombies on Broadway Summary

Zombies on Broadway Timeline

Track the full timeline of Zombies on Broadway with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Zombies on Broadway Timeline

Zombies on Broadway Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Zombies on Broadway that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Zombies on Broadway Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Zombies on Broadway

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Zombies on Broadway: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Zombies on Broadway

Similar Movies to Zombies on Broadway

Discover movies like Zombies on Broadway that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.