The Devil Doll

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The Devil Doll

Released Jul 10, 1936

1h 19m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

79%

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19 Reviews

71%

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1,000+ Ratings

Wrongfully convicted of a robbery and murder, Paul Lavond (Lionel Barrymore) breaks out of prison with a genius scientist who has devised a way to shrink humans. When the scientist dies during the escape, Lavond heads for his lab, using the shrinking technology to get even with those who framed him, and vindicate himself in both the public eye and the eyes of his daughter, Lorraine (Maureen O'Sullivan). When an accident leaves a crazed assistant dead, however, Lavond must again make an escape.

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Variety Staff

Variety

The director, cameraman and art department make the most of it, but the writers' contribution is lacking in originality and seldom is equal to the idea in back of it.

Mar 26, 2009

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Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

Not since The Lost World, King Kong and The Invisible Man have the camera wizards enjoyed such a field day.

Aug 8, 2006

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Adrian Turner

Time Out

Browning had made Freaks at MGM, much to Mayer's disgust, and in working out his contract he had to lighten his uniquely dark vision, though the scene of a doll climbing out of a Christmas tree is effectively chilling.

Jan 26, 2006

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This enjoyable outing allows Lionel Barrymore the opportunity to go the Tootsie route.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 28, 2023

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...The Devil-Doll is as sprightly as a convict granny with a basket full of stiletto wielding dolls; ie very sprightly indeed...

Rated: 3/5

May 9, 2021

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

...all this is wasted in a drearily complicated yarn.

May 5, 2020

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acsdoug D

The premise is just downright silly, Still, even Lionel Barrymore in drag is worth watching, and it;s interesting to see how they managed special effects in 1936 is interesting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

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Allie T

A masterpiece when you consider the intense work to pull off the special effects 90 years ago! Barrymore put his complete self in the role and the ending unlike Noir off that era is a happy one.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/13/22

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Audience Member

Another gem from MGM. What is not to like about Lionel Barrymore? He is priceless as the old woman. Very impressed with the "special effects" as the dolls climb around under normal size humans. I especially liked the scene where the doll stole the necklace and other jewelry - very impressed! I don't think the title really fits the movie "The Devil Doll" - um not a good title for THIS movie. That title envisions a bad voodoo curse gone wrong. I think the movie was quite charming and very worth watching. I recommend!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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ashley h

The Devil-Doll is a decent film. It is about an escaped convict who uses miniaturized humans to wreak vengeance on those that framed him. Lionel Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Tod Browning did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama and horror.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Obviously the special effects look lame today, but were well-done in its day. Besides that, it's a good story line

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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joe m

Standard story of man falsely accused, sent to prison, escapes and returns for vengeance. But, the twist is in how the man who's been wrong exact his revenge - by using a secret miniaturization process to to create living dolls that he then sells, in drag no less, to do his nefarious bidding! Well played by Barrymore and the rest of the cast set in belle époque Paris. The special effects, considering the film was made in 1936, are extremely well done. And, like many old movies, they manage to tell the entire story in under 90 minutes. Well worth watching.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Tod Browning

Director

Lionel Barrymore

Paul Lavond, aka Madame Mandelip

Maureen O'Sullivan

Lorraine Lavond

Frank Lawton

Toto

Robert Greig

Emil Coulvet

Lucy Beaumont

Madame Lavond

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Synopsis

Wrongfully convicted of a robbery and murder, Paul Lavond (Lionel Barrymore) breaks out of prison with a genius scientist who has devised a way to shrink humans. When the scientist dies during the escape, Lavond heads for his lab, using the shrinking technology to get even with those who framed him, and vindicate himself in both the public eye and the eyes of his daughter, Lorraine (Maureen O'Sullivan). When an accident leaves a crazed assistant dead, however, Lavond must again make an escape.

Director: Tod Browning
Producer: Tod Browning, E.J. Mannix
Screenwriter: Tod Browning, Guy Endore, Garrett Fort, Richard Schayer, Erich von Stroheim
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Loew's Inc., MGM Distributing Corporation
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 10, 1936, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 19m
Sound Mix: Mono

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