Dolls (1987 Film)
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''Dolls'' is a 1987 American
horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit physical or psychological fear in its viewers. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with Transgressive art, transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements of the genre include Mo ...
directed by
Stuart Gordon Stuart Alan Gordon (August 11, 1947 – March 24, 2020) was an American Filmmaking, filmmaker, theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright. Initially recognized for his provocative and frequently controversial work in experimental theatre, Go ...
, written by
Ed Naha Ed Naha (born June 10, 1950) is an American science fiction and mystery writer and producer. His first known publication was artwork that appeared in the first issue of ''Modern Monsters'' magazine, dated June 1966. Education and early career ...
, and starring Stephen Lee,
Guy Rolfe Guy Rolfe (born Edwin Arthur Rolfe, 27 December 1911 – 19 October 2003) was a British character actor. He was best known for portraying villains. Early life Born in Kilburn, London, Edwin Arthur "Guy" Rolfe was descended from Thomas Rolfe, ...
, Hilary Mason, Ian Patrick Williams, and
Bunty Bailey Therese "Bunty" Bailey (born 23 May 1964) is a Cornish former actress, model and dancer. Bunty started her career as a dancer in the dance group Hot Gossip in the early 1980s. She became known as the girl in the music videos of a-ha's singles "Ta ...
. Its plot follows six people who seek shelter during a storm in the mansion of an elderly doll maker and his wife, only to find that the various puppets and dolls in the home contain the imprisoned spirits of criminals. It was produced by
Charles Band Charles Robert Band (born December 27, 1951) is an American film producer and director, known for his work on horror comedy movies. Career Band entered film production in the 1970s with Charles Band Productions. Dissatisfied with distributo ...
and
Brian Yuzna Brian Yuzna is an American film producer, director, and writer. He is best known for his work in the science fiction and horror film genres. Yuzna began his career as a producer for several films by director Stuart Gordon, such as ''Re-Animator ...
through Band's Empire Pictures. The film was shot in Italy at Empire Studios prior to the making of Gordon's '' From Beyond'' (1986), but went unreleased until 1987, when it premiered at the
Seattle International Film Festival The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is a film festival held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, since 1976. It usually takes place in late May and/or early June. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, and feature ...
.


Plot

A violent thunderstorm strands young Judy, her father David, and her stepmother Rosemary in the English countryside. Seeking shelter, the trio break into a nearby mansion, where they meet the owners, a kindly older couple named Gabriel and Hilary Hartwicke. Learning that Judy has "''lost''" her beloved stuffed bear Teddy (in fact, the cruel Rosemary threw Teddy into the bushes), Gabriel gives Judy a doll named Mr. Punch. Three more people arrive at the mansion, also seeking shelter from the storm: good-natured American businessman Ralph and English hitchhikers Isabel and Enid. Gabriel invites them all to stay the night. Judy soon discovers that the mansion is full of beautifully detailed
toy A toy or plaything is an object that is used primarily to provide entertainment. Simple examples include toy blocks, board games, and dolls. Toys are often designed for use by children, although many are designed specifically for adults and p ...
s and
doll A doll is a physical model, model typically of a human or humanoid character, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have also been used in traditional religious rituals throughout the world. Traditional dolls made of materials such as clay and ...
s like Mr. Punch; Gabriel explains that he and his wife are toy makers. Judy is overjoyed, as is Ralph, who has never given up his fondness of toys. Isabel and Enid are petty thieves who hitchhiked with Ralph intending to rob him. That night, Isabel sneaks out of her room to rob the mansion. Her thievery is thwarted by dolls who attack her and then drag her into the darkness. Judy, in the hallway, briefly sees the attack and she rushes to tell David. However, David is a neglectful and uncaring father; both he and Rosemary refuse to believe Judy, thinking she is making up stories. Instead, Judy convinces Ralph to check out the hallway with her. Ralph is initially very skeptical, but he eventually begins believing Judy after her Mr. Punch doll briefly speaks to them. Dolls later attack Rosemary as she settles into bed. Trying to escape, she accidentally falls out of a window to her death. Enid searches for Isabel and finds her in the attic, almost entirely transformed into a doll version of herself. A horde of toys (including actual projectile shooting soldier figurines) attack and kill Enid. Meanwhile, Ralph is caught in a trap the dolls set for the other adults before Judy convinces them to save him, because he is her friend and has done nothing wrong. David discovers Rosemary's dead body placed in his bed and believes that Ralph killed her. Judy and Ralph enter the workshop where the irate David finds them. Ralph tries to explain that the dolls attacked the others, but David refuses to listen, knocking both his daughter and Ralph unconscious. The Mr. Punch doll comes to life and attacks David. Other dolls drag the unconscious Ralph and Judy to safety as David destroys the Mr. Punch doll. The Hartwickes appear and explain that they are a magician couple who see toys as the heart and soul of childhood. Gabriel and Hilary dislike the bitterness of adults, and when people seek shelter at their mansion, the dolls serve as a test for the visitors. People like Ralph (who appreciates the joy of childhood) and children like Judy are spared and leave the house with a fuller appreciation of life. However, those who refuse to change their ways (like David, Rosemary, Enid, and Isabel) can never leave. As the Hartwickes explain this, the incredulous David slowly transforms into a doll to replace Mr. Punch. The next morning, the Hartwickes convince the reawakened Ralph and Judy that the night's events were just a dream. Gabriel reads a fake letter from David explaining to Judy that he and Rosemary are changing their names and leaving the country with Enid and Isabel. Judy will be able to stay permanently with her caring mother in Boston. Judy finds Teddy in Ralph's car and gives him to Hartwickes as a present. Ralph and Judy leave the house and, as they drive away, Judy hints to him that if he would like to stay with her and her mother, that he could be Judy's new father. The film ends with dolls of David, Rosemary, Enid, and Isabel sitting on a shelf as another car of obnoxious parents and hapless children gets stuck in mud near the mansion.


Cast

* Ian Patrick Williams as David Bower * Carolyn Purdy-Gordon as Rosemary Bower * Carrie Lorraine as Judy Bower *
Guy Rolfe Guy Rolfe (born Edwin Arthur Rolfe, 27 December 1911 – 19 October 2003) was a British character actor. He was best known for portraying villains. Early life Born in Kilburn, London, Edwin Arthur "Guy" Rolfe was descended from Thomas Rolfe, ...
as Gabriel Hartwicke * Hilary Mason as Hilary Hartwicke *
Bunty Bailey Therese "Bunty" Bailey (born 23 May 1964) is a Cornish former actress, model and dancer. Bunty started her career as a dancer in the dance group Hot Gossip in the early 1980s. She became known as the girl in the music videos of a-ha's singles "Ta ...
as Isabel Prange * Stephen Lee as Ralph Morris * Cassie Stuart as Enid


Production

Director
Stuart Gordon Stuart Alan Gordon (August 11, 1947 – March 24, 2020) was an American Filmmaking, filmmaker, theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright. Initially recognized for his provocative and frequently controversial work in experimental theatre, Go ...
came across
Ed Naha Ed Naha (born June 10, 1950) is an American science fiction and mystery writer and producer. His first known publication was artwork that appeared in the first issue of ''Modern Monsters'' magazine, dated June 1966. Education and early career ...
's script for ''Dolls'' at Empire Pictures and became interested in directing it. Inspired by the book ''
The Uses of Enchantment ''The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales'' is a 1976 book by Bruno Bettelheim, in which the author analyzes fairy tales in terms of Freudian psychoanalysis. The book has been a subject of controversy regarding possib ...
'' by
Bruno Bettelheim Bruno Bettelheim (; August 28, 1903 – March 13, 1990) was an Austrian-born American psychologist, scholar, public intellectual and writer who spent most of his academic and clinical career in the United States. An early writer on autism, Bet ...
, Gordon conceived the film as horror
fairy tale A fairy tale (alternative names include fairytale, fairy story, household tale, magic tale, or wonder tale) is a short story that belongs to the folklore genre. Such stories typically feature magic, enchantments, and mythical or fanciful bei ...
in the vein of "
Hansel and Gretel "Hansel and Gretel" (; ) is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm and published in 1812 as part of ''Grimms' Fairy Tales'' (KHM 15). Hansel and Gretel are siblings who are abandoned in a forest and fall into the hands of a witch ...
". According to Gordon, Empire originally had the script slated as a potential
direct-to-video Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, television series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strat ...
project, but once Gordon voiced his interest this gave Empire the confidence to position the script as a much larger production. Despite Gordon filming ''Dolls'' prior to '' From Beyond'', Empire opted to release ''From Beyond'' first in order to capitalize on the success and recognition of Gordon's ''
Re-Animator ''Re-Animator'' (also known as ''H. P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator'') is a 1985 American comedy horror film loosely based on the 1922 H. P. Lovecraft serial novelette " Herbert West–Reanimator". Directed by Stuart Gordon and produced by Brian Y ...
''. ''Dolls'' extensively uses
stop motion Stop-motion (also known as stop frame animation) is an animated filmmaking and special effects technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exh ...
animation by David W. Allen.


Release

''Dolls'' premiered in the United States at the
Seattle International Film Festival The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is a film festival held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, since 1976. It usually takes place in late May and/or early June. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, and feature ...
on April 27, 1987, before opening in Los Angeles on May 22, 1987. It was released theatrically in New York City that fall, opening on November 6, 1987.


Critical response

''Dolls'' received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 60%, based on reviews from 15 critics. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 55%, based on reviews from five critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. Michael H. Price of the ''
Fort Worth Star-Telegram The ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' is an American daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. It is owned by The McClatchy Company. History In May 1905, Amon G. Car ...
'' favored the film, describing it as "a nervy mix of whimsy and jolts," praising the cinematography, performances, and special effects.
Roger Ebert Roger Joseph Ebert ( ; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American Film criticism, film critic, film historian, journalist, essayist, screenwriter and author. He wrote for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. Eber ...
's review of the film was mostly negative, commenting that ''Dolls'' lacks the energy and unapologetic excess of Stuart Gordon's two previous films. He also opined that dolls are intrinsically not frightening due to their cute appearance, writing, "The haunted house looks magnificent, but so what, if it's not haunted by great and frightening creatures? At some point ''Dolls'' remains only an idea, a concept. It doesn't become an engine to shock and involve us." He gave it two out of four stars. Ain't It Cool News reviewed the DVD, calling it "a movie that really stands above the type of film you might expect from this era, with this subject matter." HorrorNews.net's Jeff Colebank listed the toymaking couple as one of the 13 Best Horror Movie Couples, stating that Rolfe was "the creepiest toymaker of them all". ''
Allmovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, television series, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was ...
''s review of the film was mildly favorable, calling it "a serious-minded, lovingly-crafted modern fairy tale that only misses classic status by a few clumsy, low-budget moments."


Home media

''Dolls'' was released on VHS and Laserdisc in 1988 by
Vestron Video Vestron Video was the main subsidiary of Vestron, Inc., a home video company based in Stamford, Connecticut, that was active from 1981 to 1993, and is considered to have been a pioneer in the home video market. The name is now used for a collecto ...
. ''Dolls'' was released to DVD by
MGM Home Entertainment MGM Home Entertainment LLC (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment, d/b/a MGM Home Entertainment and formerly known as MGM Home Video, MGM/CBS Home Video and MGM/UA Home Video) is the home video distribution arm of the American med ...
on September 20, 2005, as a Region 1 widescreen DVD and by the
Scream Factory Shout! Factory, LLC, doing business as Shout! Studios (formerly doing business as Shout! Factory, its current legal name), is an American home video and music distributor founded in 2002 as Retropolis Entertainment. Its video releases, issued i ...
division of Shout! Factory (under license from MGM) on November 11, 2014, as a Region A widescreen
Blu-ray Blu-ray (Blu-ray Disc or BD) is a digital optical disc data storage format designed to supersede the DVD format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released worldwide on June 20, 2006, capable of storing several hours of high-defin ...
. In 2023,
Arrow Films Arrow Films is a British independent film distributor and restorer specialising in world cinema, arthouse, horror and classic films. As Arrow Video, it sells Ultra HD Blu-rays, Blu-rays and DVDs online; it also operates its own subscript ...
released a new Blu-ray as part of a multi-film box set featuring other Empire Pictures films, entitled ''Enter the Video Store: Empire of Screams''.


Cancelled sequel

Stuart Gordon Stuart Alan Gordon (August 11, 1947 – March 24, 2020) was an American Filmmaking, filmmaker, theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright. Initially recognized for his provocative and frequently controversial work in experimental theatre, Go ...
was, at one point, interested in directing a sequel to this film. The initial story would have followed Judy and Ralph back to Boston in which Ralph would have married Judy's mother and they would become a family. One day Judy would receive a box sent from England that contained the toy makers, Gabriel and Hilary, as dolls. The sequel never entered production.


Legacy

In 1989, following the collapse of Empire Pictures, producer Charles Band launched a new film series at his next company,
Full Moon Productions Full Moon Productions was a record company started in 1991''Full Moon Productions''
accessed on 23 January 2013.
, titled ''Puppet Master''. The series is considered a spiritual successor to ''Dolls'' and features inanimate puppets brought to life through the use of Egyptian magic. Actor Guy Rolfe appears in several of the films as the puppets’ creator and leader, André Toulon. The doll character Mr Punch has a cameo apperence in ''Puppet Master II'', ''Curse of the Puppet Master'', and the '' Demonic Toys'' spin-off '' Baby Oopsie''.


Other media

Mr. Punch is avaliable as an alternate skin for Jester in '' Puppet Master: The Game''.


See also

* Killer Toys


References


Sources

*


External links

* * *
''Late to the Party: ‘Dolls’ (1987)''
at iHorror {{DEFAULTSORT:Dolls (1987 Film) 1987 films 1987 horror films American dark fantasy films American satirical films American supernatural horror films Empire International Pictures films Films about dolls Films about hitchhiking Films about sentient toys Films about witchcraft Films directed by Stuart Gordon Films produced by Brian Yuzna Films set in country houses Films set in England Horror films about toys Supernatural fantasy films 1980s American films 1980s English-language films English-language horror films