"Think of it as the Mexican feminization of
Child's Play . . . "
. . . I borrowed this quote from an IMDB review. It absolutely fits!
Okay, we start out
Dolly Dearest with an archeologist who gets smushed by the door to an ancient Sanzian ruin. The door has been blown open by the manifestation of an evil spirit who shows itself in the form of a really cheesy, orange, swirly special effect thing which flies through the air into a deserted doll factory. We learn later that it is the spirit of the child of Satan. I think if I were the child of Satan, I would figure out a better special effect to represent me - but since I'm not, I guess I shouldn't judge.
If you can get past the cheesy special effects, you will probably be blocked again by the acting. At least it runs the spectrum - there is over acting, under acting and just plain bad acting. The only saving grace in the acting department is the small part of the archeologist Karl Resnick (Rip Torn). They really should have used Rip Torn more. He is just fun to watch on the screen.
The Read family sinks their entire life savings into the pipe dream of Elliot Read (Sam Bottoms) to have the best little doll manufacturing plant ever. His hopes are dashed however as he and his kids visit the "state of the art" plant which has apparently been closed down for years since the original doll maker died. Apparently his real estate agent copied some impressive figures from an American Business book for all of the financials on the company. Really, hasn't Elliot ever heard of researching an investment? Maybe visit the plant you are going to buy?
On the first visit to the factory, little Jessica Read (Candy Hutson) sets her heart on one of the dolls and Dad lets her take it home. Jimmy Read (Chris Demetral) is immediately fascinated by the archeological dig next door to the doll factory (Come on, where else would it be?). As the film progresses, Jessica becomes more and more obsessed with Dolly. Mom, Marilyn Read (Denise Crosby) begins to get worried when Jessica threatens her in a demonic voice that she will kill her if she tries to take Dolly away. Really, this wouldn't have been my first worry point in the film, but that's just me I guess.
Overall, Dolly Dearest is not a horrible film. What it lacks in the acting department and initial special effects it partially makes up for with Dolly herself. When Dolly starts to mess with the Read family she gets quite animated and evil. She actually kind of freaked me out at times but I am probably not a good judge in this department because evil dolls just really spook me in general. I will have to warn you though, it seems at the end of the film the writers just kind of gave up. Not a very original or believable ending to Dolly's reign of terror.
At any rate,
Dolly Dearest is watchable, just don't expect too much.
Dolly Dearest Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Maria Lease
Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Maria Lease also story
Rod Nave story
Peter Sutcliffe story
Cast (in credits order) verified as complete
Denise Crosby .... Marilyn Read
Sam Bottoms .... Elliot Read
Rip Torn .... Karl Resnick
Chris Demetral .... Jimmy Read
Candace Hutson .... Jessica Read (as Candy Hutson)
Lupe Ontiveros .... Camilla
Enrique Renaldo .... Estrella
Alma Martínez .... Alva
Will Gotay .... Luis
Rene Victor .... Nun at the Convent
Luis Cortez .... Peter
Jaime Gomez .... Hector
Brass Adams .... Bob Larabe
Ed Gale .... Dolly Double (voice)More Dolly Dearest Movie Reviews
Dolly Dearest Movie Review from X EntertainmentMovie Page for Dolly Dearest from The Internet Movie Database
