Paul Lavond is wrongly accused of robbery and murder and is sent to Devil's Island; he escapes and using the machines and potions of a scientist who escaped with him, Lavond (Lionel Barrymore) is able to exact revenge on those who are to blame for framing him. It seems like a simple (even silly) story, but director Tod Browning creates an chilling atmosphere that, coupled with solid trick photography, makes The Devil Doll into an effective, spooky horror movie. What makes it even better are the performances of Barrymore (who dresses in, uh, a dress for much of the movie) and Maureen O'Sullivan as the mad-as-a-hatter Lorraine Lavond. Browning directed the spectacular Dracula and the spectacularly weird Freaks, but unfortunately The Devil Doll was his next-to-last film and any horror fan should make it a point to watch it.
Review of The Devil-Doll
