The Devil-Doll (1936)

In the heart of Paris, Paul Lavond was once a revered banker, his reputation untarnished until a vile betrayal landed him in prison for seventeen long years. Framed for robbery and murder by his unscrupulous associates Emil, Charles and Victor, Lavond's life abruptly spirals into misery, his once-esteemed family name plunged into scandal and poverty. Amid the bleak confines of his prison cell, Lavond finds an unlikely companion in Marcel, a mad scientist engrossed in the peculiar study of miniaturization. Marcel, along with his equally eccentric wife Malita, believes that shrinking humans and animals to mere inches could revolutionize mankind's resource management. A peculiar twist of fate leads Marcel to reveal his astonishing discovery to Lavond, showcasing the bewildering transformation of Lachna, a simple minded servant, into a tiny, motionless figure, only responsive to the commands of Marcel's mind. The demonstration proves too exciting for Marcel's heart, leading to his untimely demise. In the wake of Marcel's death, Lavond seizes an opportunity for retribution. Armed with Marcel's miniaturization process, he flees prison, returning to Paris disguised as the endearing Madame Mandilip, a kindly doll store owner. As Madame Mandilip, Lavond reconnects with his estranged daughter Lorraine, all the while meticulously scheming his revenge on those who framed him. "The Devil-Doll" is a tale of vengeance and redemption, where a man's quest to reclaim his stolen life leads him down a path of scientific marvel and twisted revenge. Lavond's journey is an enthralling blend of emotional turmoil and inventive plotting, as he navigates the treacherous waters of revenge, familial love, and the unsettling power of miniaturization.

The Devil-Doll is a horror movie featuring Lionel Barrymore and directed by Tod Browning.

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