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Poster for The Black Doll

The Black Doll

Seen it?

1938 | 66 min | Mystery, Crime

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Shadow of a Doubt or Evil Under the Sun, start here.
The mood
Tense, gritty.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 6 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1938: an older pace and style.

Nicholas Rood, dishonest mine owner, finds a Black Doll on his desk and knows that vengeance is about to overtake him for murdering his former partner. He is knifed as he talks to his daughter Marian. She summons her fiancé Nick Halstead, a private detective. He finds that six people had a motive for the murder; Rood's sister Mrs. Laura Leland; her son Rex; Rood's associates Mallison and Walling; Esteban, a servant and Dr. Giddings. Sheriff Renick and his deputy Red get the clues all mixed up, but Nick finally narrows the search down to one suspect...

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

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Cast & crew

Directed by Otis Garrett

  • Donald WoodsNick Halstead
  • Nan GreyMarian Rood
  • Edgar KennedySheriff Renick
  • C. Henry GordonNelson Rood
  • Doris LloydLaura Leland
  • John WrayWalling
  • Addison RichardsA.H. Mallison
  • Holmes HerbertDr. Giddings
  • William LundiganRex Leland
  • Fred MalatestaEsteban, the butler