Sat 29 Sep 2018
Archived Movie Review: THE DEVIL-DOLL (1936).
Posted by Steve under Horror movies , Reviews[5] Comments
THE DEVIL-DOLL. MGM, 1936. Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O’Sullivan, Frank Lawton. Based on the novel Burn Witch Burn by Abraham Merritt. Director: Tod Browning.
After serving 17 years in a French prison for a crime he didn’t commit, a former banker escapes. With him is a scientist who has a formula for shrinking everything, including living creatures, to a sixth of their size.
There is a small problem, however. Brain matter in humans is reduced as well, and anyone shrunken in size by the formula becomes a slave to the mental powers of those using it. This, of course, is a fine way to extract revenge upon those who have done you wrong.
The special effects are spectacular, but in truth all they can do is make this old-fashioned melodrama just barely digestible.
September 29th, 2018 at 3:27 pm
It’s worthwhile seeing if only because Lionel Barrymore spends most of his screen time in drag. Lots of old-fashioned fun!
September 29th, 2018 at 3:42 pm
I have to agree, I found this too saccharine to suit me.
September 29th, 2018 at 7:41 pm
The book by Merritt is much better and both the pulp and book versions are available online now. The films suffers a certain amount from MGM class, a Universal or even Warner’s vibe would have helped.
September 30th, 2018 at 6:10 am
Very true, David
October 3rd, 2018 at 2:21 pm
I saw this because it came with a batch of films when I ordered The Mask of FuManchu from Netflix. It was just weird enough to be enjoyable, but I don’t remember many of the details.