If You are into horror this movie is "definitely" worth a watch. There are of course some minor things to take into consideration like ... well, the acting, the dialog, budget, story, and almost everything technical. BUT, but really, that's not why you should watch this "gem" or "hidden gold treasure". You should check this movie out because there is something about the "feel" of this movie that is what "horror" movies are all about. The movie also does not shy away from the sex or what's allowed of it back then, and of course the "Devil Doll" is as creepy as evil dolls get. The filmmakers may not have got everything right, but they definitely nailed the coffin shut with a genuine feel of horror.

Unlike most failed attempts at horror this film actually does succeed in being creepy (if you're as creeped out as I am at a living ventriloquist dummy)... Its not nearly as terrible as most of the films done on the hilarious show Mystery Science Theater 3000 in that it's actually 'scary' and is one of the earliest examples of the animate doll/dummy/toy concept in film. It has an eeriness about it that can get to you a little. The acting isn't awful, the dialog isn't always awful, and the film is creepy thus my giving it an almost passing grade of 5 out of 10...The movie may not be completely terrible, but its not good either as the MST3K version points out... And what's with his assistant's constant lack of pants, it might make sense if she were a stereotypically attractive magicians assistant but they apparently couldn't afford on of those...If you get really bored, watch it, if you can't find a copy there's always the MST3K version...

What an act the Great Vorelli has, in the 1964 British horror thriller "Devil Doll"! Not only can he hypnotize audience volunteers to perform any kind of outlandish stunt, but he can also make his ventriloquist's dummy, Hugo, talk and act most uncannily lifelike. But how to explain Hugo's ability to locomote all by himself? That's what reporter Mark English (excellently portrayed by American actor William Sylvester) tries to find out, in this very effective little sleeper. While I would never dream of revealing Hugo's back story, I will say that he is a much creepier presence than the modern-day Chucky, if perhaps not as homicidal; the filmmakers of "Devil Doll" get maximum bang out of Hugo's merest eye movements and head turnings. It really is remarkable how much emotion can be inferred in the little puppet's homely mug; his is hardly a wooden performance! In addition to this living doll's eerie presence, the film boasts stunning B&W photography, uniformly fine acting (especially by Bryant Haliday as Vorelli, who comes off far more sinister here than the evil hypnotist played by Jose Ferrer in 1949's "Whirlpool"), intriguing FX (negative images, freeze frames) and a literate script. Despite the central doll character, this is very much an adult film that is not suitable for the kiddies. The crisp-looking DVD from Image that I just watched also includes the so-called "Continental" version of the film, which contains a striptease sequence and several bits of nudity not present in the American release. As does producer Richard Gordon, I prefer the American version, simply because the "racier" print excises an entire scene between Vorelli and his assistant Magda that helps us better understand Vorelli's character. Either version, though, is a surprisingly winning entertainment.

Went to a video store, read the back and thought to myself that this would be a very interesting and possible scary British horror movie. Unfortunately I was completely wrong. This boring, stupid little horror movie has many things wrong with it. The acting is incredible bad and hokey, no one gives a decent performance. The story is very silly and has many odd little flaws some of which I'm confused that the director actually allowed to happen. The music was incredibly bad and the ending was unintentional comic genius.The only good thing in this abysmal movie is the creepy doll. But a creepy doll does not make a good movie.1/5