Curse Of The Doll People, The (1961)

Over the years, Mexico has gained quite a reputation as one of the countries with the strongest traditions in cinematic horror, with films like Brainiac (El Baron Del Terror) and Curse of the Doll People proving exactly why. This film from the early 60s is a compelling tale of a voodoo curse bringing terror to those afflicted by it. It is the usual horror formula of ancient mystical traditions pitted against the modern world of cold hard facts and rational science where there is no room for myth or superstition.

A group of archaeologists travel to the ancient grounds of Coombas, where they steal one of the stone deities, thus invoking a murderous curse by the tomb keeper, who is understandably enraged at the desecration of the holy grounds. The group of thieving men invite shapely Dr Karen, an expert on ancient rites, and her fiancé, a doctor, to ask about the curse invoked upon them. Dr Karen is shocked when she is told quite shamelessly that the men decided to steal the deity and bring it home as a trinket to decorate the house with. She believes that some superstitions are best not tampered with and that this curse that has been unleashed on the men is something that they ought not to take lightly.

Though the group of men appreciate the curvaceous doctor’s concern, they are not too concerned about the curse as, according to the tomb keeper, the curse was to have struck by midnight of this very day and with only five minutes to go, it is hardly likely that any of the group are about to be killed. Just at this moment, there is a loud clap of thunder and some flashes of lightning, after which the electricity goes out, and suddenly five minutes appears like a very long time indeed. The first victim appears to die of a sudden seizure. Still, we soon discover that the group is being murderously stalked by zombie dolls who stab their victims with a needle, not only attaining revenge for the desecration of the tomb but also eventually turning the victim into another potential zombie doll.

The film has numerous very eerie scenes, and the background music and imagery, as well as the shuffling, murdering midgets (dolls), are a sight not easy to forget. The film immediately evokes memories of Devil Doll, using the same theme: murdered victims are diabolically turned into dolls that are instruments of terror and revenge. The acting is a touch on the overwrought side, and the dubbing on the DVD version is pretty off, but the film is never less than intriguing and moves along rapidly. The fellow doing the Murder Legendre bit from White Zombie overplays his hand a bit, but the dolls and the midgets are completely brilliant – creepy and chilling.

Despite the rather dodgy acting and dubbing, this is a beautifully shot film with numerous eerie sequences to satisfy. If you enjoyed the brilliant Devil Doll, you would surely warm to this wonderful Mexican horror entry. There may not be much blood and gore on display, but that doesn’t stop this film from being wonderfully stylish, highly creepy and thoroughly enjoyable.