The Black Doll
The Black Doll

Movie spotlight

The Black Doll

1938
Movie
66 min
English

Nicholas Rood, dishonest mine owner, finds a Black Doll on his desk and knows that vengeance is about to overtake him for murdering his former partner. He is knifed as he talks to his daughter Marian. She summons her fiancé Nick Halstead, a private detective. He finds that six people had a motive for the murder; Rood's sister Mrs. Laura Leland; her son Rex; Rood's associates Mallison and Walling; Esteban, a servant and Dr. Giddings. Sheriff Renick and his deputy Red get the clues all mixed up, but Nick finally narrows the search down to one suspect...

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Wyatt OrdungGenres: Mystery, Horror, Crime

Plot Summary

A series of murders are occurring, and all the victims are connected to a mysterious black doll. A detective must race against time to uncover the truth behind the doll and stop the killer before they strike again. The investigation leads him through a labyrinth of secrets and deceit.

Critical Reception

The Black Doll is a low-budget B-movie that gained a cult following over the years for its bizarre premise and unsettling atmosphere. While not critically acclaimed upon release, it has since been recognized for its unique take on the mystery and horror genres.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its eerie atmosphere and memorable villain.

  • Criticized for its predictable plot and somewhat dated special effects.

  • Seen as an interesting example of early horror-mystery B-movies.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but those that exist often highlight its vintage charm and its status as a cult classic among horror aficionados.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for its distinctive, unsettling prop, the titular black doll, which has become an iconic image in cult horror cinema.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is quite a decent little comedy thriller - let down by some really naff writing and a B-rate cast that even the usually reliable C. Henry Gordon cannot elevate beyond mediocrity. The story centres around the murder of a rather unscrupu...

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