The Curse of the Doll People is a popular urban legend originating from Mexico. It revolves around a mysterious and puzzling curse that is said to be placed upon individuals who interact with a certain set of dolls. The legend has been passed down through generations, and many people claim to have experienced the curse firsthand. According to the legend, the dolls in question are called "The Doll People." These dolls are said to possess a malevolent spirit that curses anyone who owns or interacts with them. It is believed that the dolls were created by a witch or a voodoo priestess as a means of revenge or control over others.
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In 2014, VCI Entertainment also released a DVD which features both the original Spanish language and the English dubbed version of Curse of the Doll People. For me, ventriloquist dummies or anything similar to that like oversized human dolls still gives me the creeps and the horror film that best visualizes this is 1961 s Curse of the Doll People Mexican title Munecos Infernales , which translates roughly as Infernal Dolls , directed by Benito Alazraki.
It is believed that the dolls were created by a witch or a voodoo priestess as a means of revenge or control over others. **The curse is said to have a variety of effects on the victims.** Some claim to have experienced severe physical ailments, such as unexplained injuries or illnesses that cannot be diagnosed by doctors.
Curse of the doll people
THE CURSE OF THE DOLL PEOPLE. Mexico, 1961. Originally released as Muñecos Infernales. Elvira Quintana, Ramón Gay, Roberto G. Rivera, Quintín Bulnes, Nora Veryán. Directors: Benito Alazraki and Paul Nagle.
Apparently they made two versions of this black and white Mexican horror film. The original Mexican production, entitled Muñecos Infernales (“Diabolical Dolls” is a good translation and one I think that works pretty well in describing the movie), and the made for American release, The Curse of the Doll People, which I understood to be a rather disjointed production.
So it was the former production that I recently watched, albeit with the necessary English subtitles. And I have to tell you: it’s a strange one, through and through. It’s not just that the atmosphere is at times uncannily creepy or that the soundtrack works perfectly for an early 1960s horror movie.
No. It’s also the subject matter which you’ve probably guessed by now revolves around dolls. And not just any dolls, but devilish little fiends that come to life and then proceed to murder you in your sleep with tiny little daggers. That is what makes Muñecos Infernales worth watching. It actually successfully pulls off the whole “evil dolls come to life” without once slipping into self-parody or light comedy.
But where did these dolls come from and what do they want? Well, there’s a backstory to that. A group of wealthy Mexican professional friends reveal to another friend, a female physician named Karina (Elvira Quintana), that they went on a trip to Haiti and while there, violated the sanctity of a voodoo temple and stole an ancient relic.
Why Karina? Well, she’s familiar with archaeology and the occult, her father being an archaeologist who took her to far-flung places in her youth. (Marion Ravenwood comes to mind.) When members of the traveling party start dying in mysterious ways, it doesn’t take long for Karina to surmise that they were cursed. Her fiancé, Dr. Armando Valdés (Ramón Gay) thinks all this superstition is hokum.
That is, until he learns that his friends have indeed been killed for their transgressions and that the murderers were devil dolls. If that sounds like a lot to take in for one feature, that’s because it is. There’s voodoo, a sorcerer, devil dolls, and last but not least, a zombie.
But the whole thing’s oddly captivating nonetheless. Not a great horror film, but it’s certainly on par with some of the better British and Italian films from the same era.
4 Responses to “A Horror Movie Review by Jonathan Lewis: THE CURSE OF THE DOLL PEOPLE (1961).”
- Dan Says:
January 25th, 2017 at 5:27 am A lot of these Mexican movies were dubbed and edited by K. Gordon Murray, who then released them to neighborhood theaters and television. (See FACE OF THE SCREAMING WEREWOLF and BRAINIAC.) Where did you ever find a “pure” version? - David Vineyard Says:
January 25th, 2017 at 9:11 pm If nothing else many of the Mexican horror film had atmosphere, even on the cheap. - Jon Says:
January 26th, 2017 at 2:15 am Found a copy on DVD here in Los Angeles - Dan Says:
October 5th, 2017 at 1:38 pm Just watched this and discovered that most of the story — including major motifs and minor turns — is “borrowed” from A. Merritt’s classic creepy-novel BURN WITCH BURN!
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Others have reported experiencing strange and unexplainable events in their homes, such as objects moving on their own or eerie sounds and voices. **The curse is also believed to affect the victim's mental and emotional well-being.** Many people who claim to have interacted with the Doll People report feelings of depression, anxiety, and a general sense of unease. Some have even reported seeing apparitions or having vivid nightmares involving the dolls. While the existence of the curse is debatable, **the legend of the Doll People has had a lasting impact on Mexican folklore and popular culture.** The story has been adapted into various books, movies, and television shows, further perpetuating the fear and intrigue surrounding the cursed dolls. **The Curse of the Doll People serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of interacting with unknown or supernatural objects.** It warns against the consequences of meddling with forces beyond our understanding. Whether or not the curse is real, the legend has undoubtedly contributed to a sense of fear and fascination with haunted dolls and objects throughout different cultures and societies..
Reviews for "The Doll People Curse: Tales of Possession and Malevolence"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "Curse of the doll people" was an absolute disappointment. The storyline was poorly executed and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it impossible for me to connect with any of them. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that felt forced and unnatural. Overall, this movie failed to deliver any scares and left me feeling bored and unengaged. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Curse of the doll people" based on the concept, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took forever for the action to pick up. Additionally, the special effects were cheesy and unconvincing, taking away from any potential horror elements. The dialogue was cliché and lacked creativity, making the whole experience feel stale. While there was some potential, the execution was lacking, resulting in a mediocre and forgettable film.
3. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Curse of the doll people" was a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and made little sense, leaving me confused and uninterested throughout. The acting was unremarkable, and the characters were forgettable, making it difficult to care about their fate. The movie relied heavily on jump scares, which quickly became predictable and repetitive, losing any impact they may have had. Overall, this film was a letdown, with nothing unique or memorable to offer. I would recommend skipping it.