The Curse of the Doll People is a phenomenon that has captured the attention and fascination of many over the years. It involves strange occurrences and misfortunes that seem to be linked to the possession of dolls. The curse is believed to originate from ancient folklore and superstitions surrounding dolls, which have long been associated with spirits and the supernatural. Many cultures believe that dolls carry the essence of their creators or owners and can be used as vessels for both good and evil forces. Those who have fallen victim to the Curse of the Doll People often report experiencing unexplainable incidents, such as objects moving on their own, strange whispers, and overall feelings of unease or dread. Some claim to have witnessed their dolls moving or changing positions, as if they have a life of their own.
The witch doctor behind the revenge is Zandor (the liner notes gives him this name although I don't recall it being said in the film), played with demonic sincerity by Quintin Bulnes (THE LIVING COFFIN [1959], THE BEASTS OF TERROR [1973] among others). We merely hear his voice and see his hand caressing one of his devil dolls till the halfway mark where we finally see him. He's this gaunt, goateed magician with a frequently raised eyebrow and a mesmerizing stare. Zandor likewise makes a fashion statement with his stylish voodoo wear -- a suit of sorts with the design of a snake adorning the shirt.
The BCI double feature paired with NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES 1969 contains an English dubbed version along with a Spanish language with English subtitles version. Some horror and SciFi films foreign or domestic had strong women roles, but they were still relegated to damsel in distress and love interest status when the action showed up.
Some claim to have witnessed their dolls moving or changing positions, as if they have a life of their own. The curse is said to affect both individuals and entire families, leading to a series of misfortunes and tragedies. Relationships may crumble, jobs may be lost, and health issues may arise, all seemingly connected to the presence of the cursed dolls.
Curse of rhe doll oeople
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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In extreme cases, some individuals even report falling into a state of madness or experiencing unexplained accidents and injuries. Attempts to break the curse have been made throughout history, with various rituals and methods employed. Some involve burning or destroying the dolls, while others suggest returning them to their place of origin or performing specific prayers or rituals to appease the spirits. However, many claim that once the curse takes hold, it is nearly impossible to rid oneself of its effects entirely. The Curse of the Doll People has become the subject of numerous books, films, and television shows, further fueling its mysterious allure and captivating audiences around the world. Despite the skepticism surrounding the curse, there are still countless individuals who believe in its existence and claim to have experienced its malevolent power firsthand. Whether it is a result of true supernatural forces or simply the power of suggestion, the Curse of the Doll People continues to intrigue and haunt those who dare to explore its dark depths..
Reviews for "Cursed Possessions: The Terrifying Curse of the Doll People"
1. John - 1/5 stars
I found "Curse of the Doll People" to be incredibly disappointing. The premise seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. I also found the storyline to be confusing and lacking in any real scares. Overall, 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 trailer, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt convoluted, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The scares were predictable and relied too heavily on jump scares. Additionally, the special effects were mediocre at best. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied by this film.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars
"Curse of the Doll People" failed to deliver on its promise of being a terrifying horror film. The pacing was slow, and the characters lacked depth. The dolls themselves were not as creepy as I had hoped, and the use of CGI felt cheap and distracting. I was hoping for a genuinely scary experience, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unimpressed.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars
I couldn't wait for "Curse of the Doll People" to be over. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The dialogue was poorly written, and the acting was cringe-worthy. The film relied too heavily on shock value rather than building a suspenseful atmosphere. Overall, I found this movie to be a waste of time.