Devil Doll (1964)

32% of users liked it
(481 ratings)

Falsely convicted Lionel Barrymore escapes from Devil's Island with fellow prisoner H.B. Walthall. A brilliant scientist, Walthall reveals to Barrymore that he has developed a process to shrink human beings. Upon Walthall's death, Barrymore makes his way back to the old scientist's lab, intending to… More Falsely convicted Lionel Barrymore escapes from Devil's Island with fellow prisoner H.B. Walthall. A brilliant scientist, Walthall reveals to Barrymore that he has developed a process to shrink human beings. Upon Walthall's death, Barrymore makes his way back to the old scientist's lab, intending to use Walthall's formula to exact vengeance on those who have wronged him. He does so, clearing his name and securing the future happiness of his daughter Maureen O'Sullivan (who believes that Barrymore is dead) in the process. But Barrymore's crazed assistant Rafaela Ottiano isn't satisfied. "We'll make the whole world small!" she hisses, forcing Barrymore to kill her and destroy the formula. To save his daughter from scandal, Barrymore disappears into the night, the implication being that he plans to commit suicide at the first opportunity. The excellent miniature work in The Devil Doll (much of it accomplished with outsized sets, a la the Laurel and Hardy comedy Brats) successfully takes the viewers' minds off the rather silly plot. Director Tod Browning was always stronger with atmosphere than with plot and dialogue, and this film is no exception. Far less logical than the miniaturization process is Barrymore's decision to disguise himself as an old woman, since this transparent guise wouldn't convince a 2-year-old in real life. Based on the novel Burn, Witch, Burn by Abraham Merritt, The Devil Doll was scripted by several hands, including Erich Von Stroheim. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Lindsay Shonteff
Genres: Classics, Horror

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1964 Wide
On DVD: Apr 5, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A fun, off-beat little horror film

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Featured Audience Ratings

Veronique K

it was made in the thirties not sixties. wrong flixster data.
Randy T

"What Is the strange, terrifying evil secret of the dummy... and why is it locked in a cage every night? Is it flesh or wood? Man or monster? Alive or dead? The Devil Doll. It walks. It talks. It kills. Strange! Terrifying! Evil!" -tagline
Bruce B

No doubt in my mind, that who ever wrote Chuckie, got his idea from this movie. Hugo was long before chuck was a wet spot in the writers eye. A Great B&W Britishuspense/horror film.

Cast

            Lionel Barrymore as PaulLavond

            Maureen O'Sullivan as Lorraine Lavond

            Frank Lawton as Toto

            Robert Greig as Coulvet

            Lucy Beaumont as Mme. Lavond

            Henry B. Walthall as Marcel

            Grace Ford as Lachna

            Pedro de Cordoba as Matin

            Arthur Hohl as Radin

            Rafaela Ottiano as Malita

            Juanita Quigley as Marguerite

            Claire Du Brey as Mme. Coulvet

            Rollo Lloyd as Detective

            E. Alyn Warren as Commissioner

            Egon Brecher
            
            Billy Gilbert
            
            Wilfred Lucas as Wilfred Lucas

            Eily Malyon as Laundry Proprietor

            Frank Reicher
            
            Bryant Halliday as The Great Vorelli

            William Sylvester as Mark English

            Sandra Dorne as Vorelli's Assistant Magda

            Yvonne Romain as Marianne

            Karel Stepanek as Dr. Heller

            Francis De Wolff as Dr. Keisling

            Nora Nicholson as Aunt Eva

            Philip Ray as Uncle Walter

            Alan Gifford as Bob Garrett

            Heidi Erich as Grace

            Anthony Baird as Soldier

            Guy Deghy as Hans

            Bryant Haliday
            
            David Charlesworth
            
See full cast