THE DEVIL DOLL (1936) B/W 79m dir: Tod Browning

w/Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Frank Lawton, Robert Greig, Lucy Beaumont, Henry B. Walthall, Grace Ford, Pedro de Cordoba, Arthur Hohl, Rafaela Ottiano

A terrific horror thriller about the revenge of a man who's been framed for murder by three business rivals. Marvelous, scary special effects.

From The Movie Guide: "While THE DEVIL DOLL is no FREAKS, director Tod Browning, in his second-to-last film, adds a sinister edge to what is basically a morality play. The special effects still impress today; the oversized sets and props are expertly done, with much attention given to detail; and the film is excellently photographed by Leonard Smith. Erich von Stroheim is credited with co-writing the screenplay, but the exact nature of his contributions has never been made clear. Cast is generally expert, with the exception of veddy-British Lawton [playing Toto], who is too refined for his assignment."