My take: This is a truly terrifying tale of a hypnotist with a ventriloquist doll that is more than it seems.
Rating: 3 out of 4 stars
Horror stories have helped to develop in me an innate fear of dolls. Child’s Play, Annabelle, that one Twilight Zone episode are just a few that come to mind. This movie was similarly terrifying and did not help me with my fear.
The story is about a reporter who is investigating a new act in town, the Great Vorelli. Vorelli is a hypnotist and ventriloquist who is able to make his doll do things no other doll can do. The doll can talk while Vorelli eats and drinks. He can also walk to the edge of the stage on his own, without strings.
Poster for Devil Doll from 1964.
The effect is frightening and mesmerizing to the audience, but the reporter wants to know how it works. He ends up unraveling the strange history or Vorelli and the doll’s nefarious origins.
The story was unique but easy to follow, Vorelli was fascinating to watch, and the doll was downright creepy. All of these elements made for a solid scary-doll picture, and one that I plan to add to my line-up of favorite classic horror.
I recommend this one to fans of classic horror and those who enjoy scary movies about dolls.
I got the movie on DVD from Netflix, but you can also find it online. Here’s the trailer:
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