The Devil-Dollis a 1936 Americanhorror filmdirected byTod Browningand starringLionel BarrymoreandMaureen O'Sullivan.The film was adapted from the novelBurn Witch Burn!(1932) byAbraham Merritt.[1]It has become acult film.[2]
| The Devil-Doll | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Tod Browning |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | Burn, Witch, Burn! 1933 novel byA. Merritt |
| Produced by | Edward J. Mannix |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Leonard Smith |
| Edited by | Frederick Y. Smith |
| Music by | Franz Waxman |
Production company | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A French scientist is worried abouthuman overpopulation.He creates a formula able toshrink humans,in order for the planet's resources to last longer. He dies shortly after aprison escape,and his former cellmate decides to use the formula in arevengescheme. The former prisoner targets the people who had originally framed him forbank robberyand murder.
Plot
editPaul Lavond (Barrymore), who was wrongly convicted of robbing his own Paris bank and killing a nightwatchmanmore than seventeen years ago, escapesDevil's Islandwith Marcel (Henry B. Walthall), a scientist who is trying to create a formula to reduce people to one-sixth of their original size. The intended purpose of the formula is to make theEarth's limited resources last longer for anever-growing population.The scientist dies after their escape.
Lavond joins the scientist's widow, Malita (Rafaela Ottiano), and decides to use the shrinking technique to obtain revenge on the three former business associates who had framed him and to vindicate himself. He returns to Paris and disguises himself as an old woman who sells lifelike dolls. He shrinks a young girl and one of his former associates to infiltrate the homes of the other two former associates, paralyzing one.
When the final associate confesses before he is attacked, Lavond clears his name and secures the future happiness of his estranged daughter, Lorraine (O'Sullivan), in the process. Malita isn't satisfied, and wants to continue to use the formula to carry on her husband's work. She tries to kill Paul when he announces that he is finished with their partnership, having accomplished all he intended, but she blows up their lab, killing herself.
Paul tells Toto, Lorraine's fiancé, about what happened. He meets his daughter, pretending to be the deceased Marcel. He tells Lorraine that Paul Lavond died during their escape from prison, but that he loved her very much. Lavond then departs, to an uncertain fate.
Cast
edit- Lionel Barrymoreas Paul Lavond
- Maureen O'Sullivanas Lorraine Lavond
- Frank Lawtonas Toto
- Rafaela Ottianoas Malita
- Robert Greigas Emil Coulvet
- Lucy Beaumontas Madame Lavond
- Henry B. Walthallas Marcel
- Grace Ford as Lachna
- Pedro de Cordobaas Charles Matin
- Arthur Hohlas Victor Radin
- Juanita Quigleyas Marguerite Coulvet
- Claire Du Breyas Madame Coulvet (as Claire du Brey)
- Rollo Lloydas Detective Maurice
- Frank Reicheras Doctor (uncredited)
Reception
editMarketed as a novelty thriller,The Devil-Dollwas not a financial success, although it did receive some praise from critics.[3][4]The New York Timesgave the film a positive review, making special note of its entertaining use of special effects, comparing it favorably to such films asKing KongandThe Invisible Man.[5] However, a review in the American science fiction magazineThrilling Wonder Storieswas not as enthusiastic, calling the film a "disappointment" and a "run-of-the-mill thriller which does not attempt to recapture the unique fantasy of Merritt's novel."[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1931-40by The American Film Institute, c.1993
- ^Paul Simpson, "The Rough Guide to Cult Movies: The Good, The Bad and the Very Weird", Rough Guides UK, 2010.
- ^Towlson, Jon (2014).Subversive Horror Cinema: Countercultural Messages of Films from Frankenstein to the Present.McFarland. p. 41.ISBN978-0786474691.Retrieved20 January2017.
- ^Towlson, Jon (2016).The Turn to Gruesomeness in American Horror Films, 1931-1936.McFarland. p. 159.ISBN978-0786494743.Retrieved20 January2017.
- ^Nugent, Frank S."Movie Review - - Hollywood Opens Its Bag of Tricks for the Capitol's 'The Devil Doll' -- The Roxy Presents 'M'liss.' - NYTimes.com".www.nytimes.com.Retrieved20 January2017.
- ^H.K. (December 1936). "Scientifilm Review".Wonder Stories:119.
External links
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