Black Zoo

Black Zoo is a 1963 American horror film directed by Robert Gordon and starring Michael Gough, Jeanne Cooper, Rod Lauren, Virginia Grey, Jerome Cowan, and Elisha Cook, Jr. It was produced and co-written by Herman Cohen. It is a violent, gore-filled tale.
Plot.
Michael Conrad is a private zookeeper who owns Conrad's Animal Kingdom. He leads a cult group who literally worship the animals he tends — especially the big cats: a lion, a lioness, a pair of cheetahs, a tiger, and a black panther; as well as a gorilla. Conrad plays organ music to the animals in his living room, and uses them to kill anyone who gets in his way. Conrad is married to Edna and forces his mute son Carl to assist him.
Production.
Herman Cohen had the idea for the film, and hired Aben Kandel to work with him on the script.
Cohen had worked with Gough previously in "Horrors of the Black Museum" and "Konga".
The animals were provided by Ralph Helfer. The zoo was built at Raleigh Studio (formerly Producers Studio) on North Bronson in Hollywood, California. The entire zoo seen in the picture was an interior set.
Publicity was done with the cats—including an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson". Cohen did not like the title, preferring "Horrors of the Black Zoo".
Availability.
"Black Zoo" was produced on a VHS tape published by The Fang (Floral Park, NY) in 2001. 