The Curse of the Doll People – original title: Muñecos infernales (“Devil Doll”) – is a 1961 Mexican supernatural horror film directed by Benito Alazraki from a screenplay by Alfredo Salazar (Doctor of Doom).
The Cinematográfica Calderón S.A. production stars Elvira Quintana, Ramón Gay (Attack of the Mayan Mummy; Face of the Screaming Werewolf; The Robot vs. The Aztec Mummy), Roberto G. Rivera, Quintín Bulnes, Nora Veryán, Luis Aragón, Alfonso Arnold, Jorge Mondragón, Salvador Lozano, Margarita Villegas, Norma Navarro, Xavier Loyá.
In Haiti, four men are cursed by a voodoo priest for stealing a sacred idol from his temple. Soon after evil doll people begin to kill their family members…
Reviews:
“The climatic good vs. evil confrontation, adorned with the high priest’s impressive black magic paraphernalia, is very reminiscent of the finale of Horror Hotel, made around the same time.” George R. Reis, DVD Drive-In
“While the story is fairly pedestrian and not particularly surprising, what makes the movie work are the dolls themselves. Played by midgets with really strange masks on, they’re flat out creepy pretty much anytime they are on the screen, which gives the movie a lot more atmosphere than it would have had otherwise.” Ian Jane, DVD Talk
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“These dolls are actually played by midgets who are wearing distorted masks that give their faces a sinister look. The film starts off slowly as we are told of the finding out of the sacred idol that the archeologists stole. The middle section moves along quickly and is by far and away the best part of the film. The ending is hokey and leaves a lot to be desired.” Michael Den Boer, 10k Bullets
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” …feels similar to the US horror movies of the 1940’s, exhibiting a lush atmosphere and storyline reminiscent of Val Lewton. A portrait of the battle between science and superstition, Doll People is also a slice of film noir, with its beautifully photographed alleyways, shadows, and distorted angles suggesting the danger and alienation of the human heart.” SGM
“The little dolls stalking the corridors looking for their designated victims exude the required atmosphere of menace, although the script and the final appearance of a long-haired Bulnes dressed in a black robe decorated with a giant snake are disappointing.” Phil Hardy (editor), The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror
