before barbie

Hero Image

Rich Text

Before Babrie

17 July 2023

Rich Text

Before Barbie Part I - Welcome to the Dollhouse

In the countdown to Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated summer blockbuster, I decided to take a look at various portrayals of living dolls in cinema prior to Barbie.

Hero Image

Rich Text

Child's Play 2 (1990, 15)

There are few horror movie scare tactics cheaper than a creepy doll or puppet. It's no wonder filmmakers twist these innocent playthings into instruments of terror; every generation has their childhood-nightmare-defining toy, from rocking horses to Furbies. In fact, a fear of dolls or humanlike inanimate objects is medically recognised, labelled ‘pediophobia.’ However not all dolls are possessed by evil spirits, and while most of the toys on this list fall into the category of Not Suitable for Children, they aren't all demonic either.

Hero Image

Rich Text

Small Soldiers (1998, PG)

This is the most average of Amblin films: suburban kids on bikes, untrusting adults, an unbearably trite relationship between the two lead teens (a young Kirsten Dunst is literally described as “not like other girls,” bleurgh), the list of cliches goes on. Where the film excels is in its VFX, mixing real animatronics and surprisingly effective CGI to bring its toys to life. These dolls range in levels of evil, appearance and gendered appeal and, while essentially a retread of Joe Dante's previous puppet-heavy anti-consumerist classic Gremlins, they create just enough chaotic toy set-pieces to be memorable.

Hero Image

Rich Text

The Devil Doll (1936, PG)

A precursor to the killer doll subgenre, this breezy effects-driven MGM horror stars Lionel Barrymore (great-uncle of Drew) as an escaped convict hellbent on revenge and clearing his name. Seeking refuge with a widow in an old cabin filled with bubbling test tubes, the sympathetic anti-hero uses scientifically shrunken victims to do his bidding. Crafted comically and atmospherically by director Tod Browning - who previously worked with a ventriloquist dummy in The Unholy Three - The Devil Doll contains one of (if not the) earliest on-screen examples of miniature humans wreaking havoc.

Hero Image

Rich Text

Life-Size (2000, U)

Before she would go on to judge contestants’ broken down dolls and marionettes on America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks played the collectible doll Eve. Accidentally converted into human form by a grieving young girl Casey (Lindsay Lohan), the oblivious toy gets herself into ridiculous situations through the most hilarious misunderstandings. As expected for a Disney movie, messages are conveyed and lessons are imparted, as both Casey and Eve end up learning a lot about life. Banks' rendition of a living doll is a wholly underrated comic performance, and likely the closest thing so far to Margot Robbie's upcoming Barbie.

Hero Image

Rich Text

Child's Play (1988, 15)

Arguably the most (in)famous evil doll, Chucky has plagued the livelihoods of children for decades. One of the few killer toys inhabited by a human soul rather than a demonic spirit, this iconic Good Guy Doll is possessed by serial killer Charles Lee Ray. Played by Brad Dourif, the beloved character actor also lends his voice to Chucky, delivering numerous iconic lines, none of which can be repeated here. If Tod Browning invented the killer doll, Child's Play solidified the trope with the definitive evil toy franchise.

Hero Image

Rich Text

The Tales of Hoffman (1951, U)

In the first story of Powell and Pressburger's operatic ballet extravaganza, Hoffman finds himself falling in love with Olympia, completely unaware that she is actually a robotic doll. Moira Shearer is incredible in the role of the machine; gone is the fluidity and grace with which she spun in The Red Shoes. Olympia dances instead with an uncanny lifelessness and precision, made all the more unnatural when the humanlike doll eventually runs out of power...

Hero Image

Rich Text

M3gan (2023, 15)

Meet M3GAN, a much different kind of robot. She's essentially the yassified humanoid embodiment of Siri - blinking eyes, an all-knowing brain, one resilient metal body, the campiest dress and wig imaginable - and she's your new bff! It's no surprise when she develops a taste for blood, a rampage realised through a combination of puppetry, CGI and a child actor in costume. A response to increasingly digital childhoods and society's dangerous reliance on technology, the film will only ring more true with age. In a time of ChatGPT and Moon rockets, it won't be long before we all find ourselves facing a dancing doll of death.

Hero Image

Rich Text

Bonus choice:

Lars and the Real Girl (2007, 12)

While not a living toy by any means, it was impossible not to mention the other time Ryan Gosling acted opposite a doll. In a relatively early role before the actor would take on his more famous self-serious crime thrillers, Gosling proves his versatility as a socially awkward young man engaged in a nonphysical romantic relationship with a much less family friendly “girl” than Barbie. Although it deals with weighty themes, the adorability of Lars and the continued acceptance by his community turn what could have been a cruel comedy into something sweeter.

Overall, it can be safe to say live-action toys lack in positive cinematic depictions, at least in terms of big-budget theatrical releases. And that's one of the reasons Barbie is so unique and exciting: dolls are rarely afforded an outlet appropriate for and anticipated by all ages!

Footer