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The Devil Doll

Play trailer Poster for The Devil Doll 1936 1h 19m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 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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The Devil Doll

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
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. Go to Full Review Frank S. Nugent New York Times 08/08/2006
Not since The Lost World, King Kong and The Invisible Man have the camera wizards enjoyed such a field day. Go to Full Review Adrian Turner Time Out 01/26/2006
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 10/28/2023
3/4
This enjoyable outing allows Lionel Barrymore the opportunity to go the Tootsie route. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 05/09/2021
3/5
...The Devil-Doll is as sprightly as a convict granny with a basket full of stiletto wielding dolls; ie very sprightly indeed... Go to Full Review Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine 05/05/2020
...all this is wasted in a drearily complicated yarn. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ronnie M Dec 30 The special-effects were amazing to watch... I hate that I waited so long to watch this movie. Very enjoyable See more acsdoug D @acsdoug 08/26/2024 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. See more Allie T 11/13/2022 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. See more 09/19/2022 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!! See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 10/17/2020 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. See more 06/02/2018 Obviously the special effects look lame today, but were well-done in its day. Besides that, it's a good story line See more Read all reviews
The Devil Doll

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Devil Doll

The Devil Doll (1936) The Devil Doll (1936) The Devil Doll (1936) The Devil Doll (1936) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Loew's Inc., MGM/UA Home Entertainment 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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