MartinHafer "The Black Doll" is one of about 658,002,832 B-murder mysteries made during the 1930s and 40s and there is a certain sameness about them because most follow similar patterns. First, a person establishes to the audience they are thoroughly despicable and they then soon die. Second, a dopey cop shows up to investigate. Third, the crime is solved by an amateur. Fourth, everyone not killed lives happily ever after.When the story begins, Nelson Rood (C. Henry Gordon) spends a lot of time ticking off everyone around him. He's a thoroughly disgusting individual and you know in a film like this, Rood will soon be dead and EVERYONE who knew him is a suspect! The only real difference is that a black doll was found next to his body.Into this mess arrives the brain-dead Sheriff (Edgar Kennedy). He's a bit more bumbling and ridiculous that usual for this sort of cop...but not much. But there's also the know-it-all amateur, Mr. Halstead (Donald Woods)...who made TONS of educated guesses and gets all of them right...as if he was reading the screenplay in order to know all the answers. So who is doing this and why are they using a black doll? Who knows...and considering that it's so formulaic, who really cares?!

Michael_Elliott The Black Doll (1938) ** 1/2 (out of 4)Reporter Nick Halstead (Donald Woods) helps a rather dimwitted sheriff (Edgar Kennedy) investigate a series of murders, which are connected by a black voodoo doll that is left with the victim.This is an entry in Universal's Crime Club series and for the most part it's an entertaining little "B" movie but at the same time there's no doubt that you'll forget about it soon after the end credits roll. This series was made on a very low budget as the studio tried to get some revenue back after their 1936 film SHOWBOAT lost so much money. With that in mind, you really don't have anything overly special here but if you enjoy these type of thrillers then you should enjoy it.It certainly helps that you've got Woods in a fine and loose form. He certainly brings some energy to the role that helps keep the film moving at a nice pace. Kennedy plays the dimwitted by likable guy that he played throughout his career. The two of them actually have some nice chemistry and the humor works more times than not. The film also benefits from some nice direction by Otis Garrett who makes for some nice atmosphere and especially during the murder scenes.THE BLACK DOLL runs just 66 minutes so it's not deep or filled with anything great but it does get its job done.

Paularoc Because they have good casts and a nice dosage of humor, I like the Crime Club murder mysteries and this entry is no exception. The wealthy and overbearing Nicholas Rood finds a Mexican voodoo like black doll on his desk. According to Rood's butler, this signifies an impending death. And sure enough, Rood is killed by a thrown knife. There are suspects galore - among them Rood's sister and wife, the butler and two former partners from whom Rood has been hiding for several years. Rood's daughter and clever boyfriend (the charming Nan Grey and the ever affable Donald Woods) take the lead in the investigation, which is a good thing because the cops investigating the crime, Sheriff Renick and his deputy are pretty dimwitted to say the least. Edgar Kennedy as the Sheriff provides most of the welcome humor. In fact, Kennedy has one of my all time favorite stupid remarks. He says to Woods, "I know something you don't know." "What?" "You're standing on my foot." Even with lines like this, it' a fun and an entertaining movie. Interesting to me is that Holmes Herbert who starred in a number of silent films has the role of Dr. Giddings in this movie. Herbert never rose above character roles in sound films.

csteidler Boy, is rich old Nelson Rood (C. Henry Gordon) asking for it! He is rude and imperious with everyone around him. So when he finds a black doll on his desk with a knife through it, he knows it's a genuine threat.Who might want to harm Rood? Well….He is cruel to his sister, who lives with him and depends on his support. He scoffs at his nephew, a rebellious young man who has been forging his uncle's name on checks. He tries to chase away his daughter's fiancé. He even insults his faithful butler. And then there are the two old "business partners" from whom he has been hiding for 15 years, seemingly the only two people alive who could have known about the black doll….Nan Grey and Donald Cook make a nice pair as the intelligent daughter and her clever fiancé. Cook is right on the job when the murder is discovered; true, it's a murder investigation, but he generally gives the impression that he is having great fun with it all. Grey exhibits charm and personality—she's smarter than your average B movie heroine here, and fully a match for Cook's exuberance. (Alas, Grey is not really given quite enough to do.)Edgar Kennedy is strictly comic relief as the sheriff, but if you like Edgar then this film is for you. His best line: "When I'm investigating a crime, I'm not a man—I'm a bloodhound!" He's blustery, hilarious and totally inept right to the film's final shot. The mystery plot itself is pretty standard….but it keeps you guessing. The dialog is good and the performances energetic. Lots of fun for B mystery fans.One line that mystified me: "Get me a jar of jelly, some talcum powder, and a plate." (Donald Woods apparently preparing to take some fingerprints. All for naught, however, as one of Sheriff Kennedy's deputies eats the jelly.)