Karen Black, speaking in the Three Colors Black featurette on the DVD, describes the fear of vaginal entry that this episode plays on. She also mentions the humorous troubles the special effects people had in animating the little bugger. In the first attack, where she stumbles to the floor, she describes how they had trouble keeping the limbs on the doll as they rapidly pulled it along the floor. In the scene where it clamps down on her neck, she also describes how she had to hold onto it and act like it was alive and biting her. In the hands of lesser talent, this episode would have become a quirky absurdity; instead, it remains one of the most intense sessions in terror committed to the small screen.
Interestingly enough, she explains that the dental work appearing at the end was actually her idea, which Dan Curtis did not agree with at the beginning. But it works well, and provides a lasting image of horror that speaks volumes even to this day.
Additional featurettes on the DVD include Terror Scribe, in which Richard Matheson talks about himself and the film, and the audio commentary by Karen Black and William F. Nolan.
Dark Sky Films has done a wonderful job in releasing this horror classic again on DVD.
Article comments
1 - Brad Schader
That damn Zuni fetish doll scared the crap out of me as a kid...for years. My brother would hide and jump out at me screaming "aye-ya-ya-ya-ya" with his teeth showing more than once. That movie is part of my youth. I gotta get it. Great review.
2 - ILoz Zoc
Thanks Brad,
It's amazing how effective that little bugger can be in scaring big people. Karen Black did a great job in selling the terror and that parting shot as she waits for her mom is great. I love the "action figure" that Majestic Toys made. The thing is hideous, and appears to be life-size. NO way am I fooling with the chain. Not going there, no way.
3 - brad schader
While it would be awesome to have one, there is no way I will ever buy it. I really do not need to see that thing at 3am.
4 - Mat Brewster
My night has been made thinking of little Iloz choosing a confirmation named based on horror TV.
5 - Iloz Zoc
Yes Mat, I was a little IL back then...