‘Dolly Dearest’ Review: Often Overlooked by the Horror Community, VHS Cover Gave Me Nightmares as a Kid

Kid Matt hated horror. And he really hated anything that dealt with dolls.

I still remember the ping of anxiety whenever I was near the horror section of the local video stores. The covers of “Child’s Play” and “Dolls” gave me instant goosebumps. And another VHS cover was equally terrifying.

“Dolly Dearest” was intended as a direct-to-video picture, but for some reason got a limited theatrical release in the Midwest. The 1991 film was written and directed by Maria Lease. It’s not great, but a solid watch that is often overlooked by the horror community.

The Wade Family

Our main characters are relocating to a remote Mexican village. Elliot Wade (Sam Bottoms) is a toy maker who specializes in creepy dolls. Great. Marilyn Wade (Denise Crosby) has doubts about the move, and the effect it will have on their two young kids (Candy Hutson and Chris Demetral).

Denise Crosby looks so much like a relic of the time. I remember her from “Pet Semetary” and once again, she demonstrates competence as a B-level horror actress.

Daughter Jessie (Hutson) discovers one of the dolls her father’s new plant is making. She has a new best friend – or only friend – as she puts it. Jessie’s loving demeanor quickly turns cringy and there’s no doubts as to the cause.   

Legendary actor Rip Torn plays an archaeologist digging for supernatural stuff. Lupe Ontiveros plays the Wade’s housekeeper. Ed Gale portrays the sentient doll.

What Works

“Dolly Dearest” is smart to employ the use of an actual doll. It’s creepy and lifelike on its own. The eyes have life to them, and special effects or outrageously unrealistic features aren’t needed.

A very early scene shows the doll in Jessie’s room at night. Its seated in a rocking chair and gave me chills when it turned its head and watched the sleeping child.

What Doesn’t

The film suffers from over explanation. The opening sequence is absurd, cartoonishly showing the viewer that there are evil spirits inhabiting the dolls. As the movie progresses, it becomes a hodgepodge of “Child’s Play,” “The Omen,” “The Exorcist,” “Poltergeist” etc. Rather than being a simple creepy doll, it follows the traditional formulaic routes of other films. It tries to do too much.

“Dolly Dearest” is stupid, but fun in a way a 1991 horror film can be. I found it for free on YouTube – give it a shot if you’re as terrified of dolls as I was (am).