Directed By Tod Browning
SYNOPSIS
Convict Paul Lavond (Lionel Barrymore) was once a prominent Parisian banker, locked up for 17 years after he was framed by his coworkers. He escapes with Marcel (Henry B. Walthall) and they hide out at Marcel's home. Marcel is a scientist who has perfected a way to shrink animals and men to a small size and control their actions with his mind. When Marcel dies, Lavond and Marcel's wife Malita (Rafaela Ottiano) head to Paris and set up a doll shop selling the shrunken animals. In Paris, Lavond assumes the character of Madame Mandilip, an elderly woman, to avoid the police. He begins exacting revenge on his former coworkers.
Master of 30's horror, Tod Browning, directs this under-seen film. He's most noted for Dracula and Freaks. His career was sadly in full free fall after the colossal commercial failure of 1932's Freaks, and would only make one final film after The Devil-Doll. Here, he crafts a suspenseful and very entertaining tale showing just how talented he was.
Devil-Doll successfully balances two vastly different storylines running throughout... one dealing with the fantastic and the other, with human emotion.
The fantastical elements are absurd. It's not explained how the shrunken animals and people can be controlled telepathically... or even how the shrinking is done exactly... but that doesn't really matter and would slow the film down. It's best to turn your mind off and watch the show!
A lesser studio would surely neglect to add a human aspect to the story, in favor of more science and horror. In between his evil deeds, Barrymore is also trying to reconnect with his family. He only reveals his true identity to his mother... and longs to speak to his daughter, who hates him and blames him for her mother's suicide. Maureen O'Sullivan plays the daughter, who's still very torn up about her feelings for her dad even after 17 years.
It's quite clear, Lionel Barrymore had a blast playing the unusual dual role. It's a bit of a humorous shock when you see him dressed as Madame Mandilip for the first time. After that shock wears off, you completely buy him as the sweet old lady, just like the cops and other Parisians do. The old lady is the opposite of his vindictive Lavond, making Devil-Doll a great showcase for his versatility.
The special effects are outstanding for the time period and (apart from a few shots) still hold up very well today.
Also despite its age, The Devil-Doll's story still seems fresh and unique. This, and Lionel Barrymore's great performance, makes the film a can't-miss.
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