The Black Doll (1938): cast, story & where to watch
1938 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1938, The Black Doll is a crime and mystery film directed by Otis Garrett, running about 66 minutes. “HE WAS A VERY "EXCLUSIVE" DETECTIVE! The clues had to find him!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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...
Who’s in it. The Black Doll stars Donald Woods as Nick Halstead, Nan Grey as Marian Rood, Edgar Kennedy as Sheriff Renick and C. Henry Gordon as Nelson Rood, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, The Black Doll has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Black Doll page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Black Doll tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II and The Dark Knight.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Black Doll (1938)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Black Doll change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Black Doll worth watching?
- The Black Doll holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy crime and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Black Doll?
- The Black Doll stars Donald Woods, Nan Grey, Edgar Kennedy, C. Henry Gordon and Doris Lloyd.
- When was The Black Doll released?
- The Black Doll was released in 1938, with a runtime of about 66 minutes.