The Horror Pod Class Season 3 Episode 22: Dolls and Other Haunted Puppetry
Welcome to the Junior Year Episode 22 of the Horror Pod Class. My name is Tyler, and I am the editor in chief of Signal Horizon a company dedicated to exploring horror in and out of the classroom. When I am not managing signal horizon I am a teacher at a local hs here in KC Missouri. Tonight I am joined by my cohost and monster ambassador here at SH, award-winning writer Orrin Grey. We are in day 109 of our quarantine. My children are cooking drugs in the kitchen, and I am currently curled up on the couch crying…Not really my kids are incapable of cooking anything. Instead, we play with toys all day long. Including DOLLS. Today we will start by discussing what we are watching or reading. Second, we will highlight some free horror content on the internet and finally, we will end tonight’s episode with an in-depth discussion of the movie Dolls directed by the late great Stuart Gordon.
What are we reading or watching excited about it.
Tyler:Cursed Films, Contagion (what the actual fuck tyler) Brian Hodge story in Insanity Among Penguins Ellen Datlow anthology Final Cuts, Imaginary Friend Michael Chbosky
Orrin: The Outing and Popcorn
Dark Corners of the Web
Horror Comics including Amazing Ghost Stories. Its really fun.
Essential Question: How does the movie Dolls capture Stuart Gordon’s lasting impact on performance art.
Summary: Young Judy Bower (Carrie Lorraine) is spending the summer with her stupid, abusive father, David (Ian Williams), and nasty stepmother, Rosemary (Carolyn Purdy-Gordon). On a dark and stormy night, their car breaks down on a lonely road in the woods and they are forced to seek shelter. As they walk, Rosemary throws Judy’s beloved teddy bear into the woods, and the imaginative child envisions it coming to life as a great fanged beast which slaughters her tormentors. The idea of loyal toys protecting their young owners from the ravages of the adult world is forcefully made, and imbues the rest of the film. They come upon a creepy old house owned by elderly Gabriel Hartwick (Guy Rolfe) and his wife, Hilary (Hilary Mason). Gabriel is a doll-maker and dazzles Judy with his collection of exquisitely detailed creations. Another car breaks down in the storm as well, bearing amiable Ralph Morris and two trampy hitchhikers. What they and the Bowers don’t know is that the dolls are alive, and protect the young (Judy) and the young at heart (Ralph) from the evils of adulthood.
Taking some time to identify aspects of the Stuart Aesthetic
- Fairy Tale
- Distinctly 80’s ish
Other Haunted Doll Horror Stuff
- Child’s Play
- Dolly Dearest
- Puppet Master/all Full Moon stuff (convo with Mike Bukowski)
- https://www.amazon.com/Mannequin-Tales-Wood-Made-Flesh-ebook/dp/B07RHX29X3
Anonymous Amazon User
This film should’ve been a tales from the crypt episode, As a full length film it fails. The acting is horrible, there is no nudity or gore and the dolls themselves are un-interesting and un-scary.
If you must see this film, Do yourself a favour and rent it like i did..Feels like it was made by a trio of monkeys with a $20 budget.-.Nick Schager of Lessons of Darkness
Next Time: Gags The Clown
Tyler has been the editor in chief of Signal Horizon since its conception. He is also the Director of Monsters 101 at Truman State University a class that pairs horror movie criticism with survival skills to help middle and high school students learn critical thinking. When he is not watching, teaching or thinking about horror he is the Director of Debate and Forensics at a high school in Kansas City, Missouri.