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Horror Cult Classic

A sinister ventriloquist, a haunted dummy, and a hypnotized heiress—London’s creepiest puppet act.

DEVIL DOLL

Is it flesh or wood? Man or monster? Alive or dead?

1964 · 01:21:00 · NR · Horror / Mystery · IMDB TMDB

Vorelli is a ventriloquist & hypnotist, with an amazing dummy, Hugo. Vorelli meets and pursues a beautiful heiress (Marianne); he mesmerizes her, and induces a baffling coma. His buxom mistress (Magda) fears he’ll dump her for the younger woman, and threatens to expose him. Vorelli tricks Hugo into killing Magda while he’s safely elsewhere. Marianne’s boyfriend Mark investigates. He discovers another killing in Vorelli’s past, of a man called Hugo. The girl wakes from her coma, and announces she will marry the hypnotist. When the triumphant Vorelli tells Hugo his plans for Marianne and a new, female dummy, a final confrontation yields surprising results.

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Quick Answer
What is Devil Doll about?

Devil Doll is a 1964 United Kingdom horror and mystery film directed by Lindsay Shonteff about an evil hypnotist and ventriloquist who plots to gain an heiress' millions using his mesmerizing dummy.

The SassyFlix Take

Where else can you get evil hypnosis, a jealous mistress, and a dummy with murder on his wooden mind? Lindsay Shonteff’s Devil Doll lets Bryant Haliday’s Vorelli and his dummy Hugo steal the spotlight—and maybe a soul or two.
From the Vault

Proof that in 1960s Britain, even your ventriloquist act could kill you.

Why Cult

Evil Ventriloquist

The Great Vorelli hypnotizes, manipulates, and commands his dummy Hugo to do his bidding—including murder.

Hypnotic Menace

A master hypnotist puts an heiress in a baffling coma and plans to claim her fortune through mind games.

Killer Dummy

Hugo, the dummy, isn’t just for laughs—he’s the instrument of vengeance, with a murderous streak all his own.

Macabre Mystery

A boyfriend investigates, a mistress threatens, and secrets from the past resurface as bodies drop and allegiances shift.

Synopsis

An evil hyponotist/ventriloquist plots to gain an heiress' millions.
Details & Specs
Director
Lindsay Shonteff
Writers
Ronald Kinnoch, Charles F. Vetter
Release
1964
Runtime
1h 21m
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Genres
Horror, Mystery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Devil Doll about? +

Devil Doll is about an evil hypnotist and ventriloquist who targets a wealthy heiress, using hypnosis and his dummy Hugo to pursue her fortune.

When was Devil Doll released? +

Devil Doll was released in 1964.

Who directed Devil Doll? +

Devil Doll was directed by Lindsay Shonteff.

How long is Devil Doll? +

Devil Doll has a runtime of 81 minutes.

What genre is Devil Doll? +

Devil Doll is a horror and mystery film.

Where can I watch Devil Doll? +

Devil Doll is available to watch on SassyFlix.