Most fellow lovers of Classic Horror, or Classic Cinema in general should agree that Tod Browning was doubtlessly an outstanding director of unique and exceptional Horror classics. My personal favorite film by this great director will always be his incomparably brilliant "Freaks" of 1932, which, as far as I am considered, ranks among the greatest films ever made. Browning has created a whole bunch of other masterpieces too, however, such as his doubtlessly most famous film, the original 1931 "Dracula" starring the great Bela Lugosi, "Mark Of The Vampire" (1935), "The Unknown" (1927) or this magnificent little film "The Devil-Doll" of 1936. While this is not as well-known as "Dracula" or "Freaks", "The Devil-Doll" is yet a highly memorable classic with an ingenious storyline and a very intense, often mesmerizing atmosphere.
Paul Lavand (Lionell Barrymore), a formerly respected Paris banker, has innocently spent many years in a Devil's Island prison. Driven by the desire for revenge, Lavand escapes with a fellow inmate, a scientist (Henry B. Walthall) who has achieved a technology that allows to shrink animals and humans to miniature size... The film is often described as being 'goofy' or 'camp', but these descriptions are not really justified. Granted, some elements of the story are a bit far-fetched, but who cares - it all works perfectly in the context of the film, and the outcome is a fascinating and ingenious cinematic experience that cineastes should not deny themselves. The great Lionell Barrymore fits perfectly in the leading role of Paul Lavand, and the rest of the cast also deliver very good performances. Henry B. Walthall is very good in his role of the scientist and Rafaela Ottianno, who plays the scientist's equally dedicated wife is especially memorable. Also, beautiful Maureen O'Sullivan was perfectly cast as Paul Lavand's innocent daughter. The most ingenious aspect about "The Devil-Doll", however is the mesmerizing atmosphere, as well as the ingenious special effects, which are truly amazing considering the time this was made. Overall, "The Devil-Doll" is another ingenious film by Tod Browning, and sadly his second to last, as, for some reason he quit the film business in 1939 (22 years before his death in 1962). Highly recommended to all my fellow fans of Classic Horror, and to film-buffs in general. 9/10
Paul Lavand (Lionell Barrymore), a formerly respected Paris banker, has innocently spent many years in a Devil's Island prison. Driven by the desire for revenge, Lavand escapes with a fellow inmate, a scientist (Henry B. Walthall) who has achieved a technology that allows to shrink animals and humans to miniature size... The film is often described as being 'goofy' or 'camp', but these descriptions are not really justified. Granted, some elements of the story are a bit far-fetched, but who cares - it all works perfectly in the context of the film, and the outcome is a fascinating and ingenious cinematic experience that cineastes should not deny themselves. The great Lionell Barrymore fits perfectly in the leading role of Paul Lavand, and the rest of the cast also deliver very good performances. Henry B. Walthall is very good in his role of the scientist and Rafaela Ottianno, who plays the scientist's equally dedicated wife is especially memorable. Also, beautiful Maureen O'Sullivan was perfectly cast as Paul Lavand's innocent daughter. The most ingenious aspect about "The Devil-Doll", however is the mesmerizing atmosphere, as well as the ingenious special effects, which are truly amazing considering the time this was made. Overall, "The Devil-Doll" is another ingenious film by Tod Browning, and sadly his second to last, as, for some reason he quit the film business in 1939 (22 years before his death in 1962). Highly recommended to all my fellow fans of Classic Horror, and to film-buffs in general. 9/10