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H'ween Horrorthon: 'Child's Play' (1988)

The first and still the best horror comedy to introduce our favorite killer doll — Chucky!

By Carlos GonzalezPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Courtesy of MGM Pictures.
"We're friends to the end, remember?""This is the end, friend!"Alex Vincent's final exchange with his doll, Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif)

Hello one and all.

Part of the fun of watching horror movies is that we get to confront our own personal fears vicariously through whatever it is we're watching. That includes things we all grew up with. For many, it's the dark. Others, it's clowns, dogs, cats, spiders, insects, religion, etc., etc. The supernatural doesn't always have to be our primary source for terror. In fact, arachnophobia (the fear of spiders, mentioned already) is the top rated fear/phobia most people have. However, there is something called Pediophobia, which is a legitimate fear of dolls.

Apparently producer David Kirschner, writers Don Mancini and John Lafia and Fright Night director Tom Holland would exploit this phobia in 1988 with their hit supernatural horror/slasher flick: Child's Play. It was the first known film to play on the fear of a child's toy (in this case, a doll) would come to life to cause bodily harm or death. I personally don't have that phobia. My phobia may actually be more complicated. (I fear... success; there, I said it!) But, I understand the massive creep factor regarding dolls. When made to look too lifelike for their own good, one can only imagine if they come to life right before your very eyes... and either rip your heart out, or just say, "Hello." Then, rip your heart out!

The 1988 Movie Poster

Courtesy of MGM/UA Pictures.

Okay, enough — back to my review! Gist of the plot. Serial killer Charles Lee Ray (played in human form by a character actor who can play evil in his sleep, Brad Dourif) is on the run from Chicago P.D. cop, Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon of Fright Night fame, a film I recently reviewed for my 'Thon). In hot pursuit, he ducks into a toy store and attempts to shoot Norris from behind, only to get shot himself. As Charles Lee Ray realizes he's about to die, he bitterly swears that he will exact revenge on him and his former partner. So... what does a dying serial killer need? A host body, of course. But with no human being in sight, what else could he find? A Good Guy doll (a rare doll made exclusively for boys) is nearby after he topples over a whole display. Having learned a little voodoo doesn't hurt his chances either. He chants a black-magic-spirit-transference spell into the doll. The store explodes. Norris survives; Ray doesn't — but what of his new host body?

Cut to an inner-city Chicago apartment where young Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) is watching his cartoons, prepping breakfast for Mommy (Catherine Hicks) in the hopes that she has made his birthday wish come true: a Good Guy doll. Sadly, no dice. But at work, her hopped-up-on-caffeine friend and co-worker (Dinah Manoff) find a homeless man peddling a doll from the toy store rubble and haggles a deal. Mission accomplished. A boy gets his birthday wish and he's officially happy again! The doll reveals his name to be: Chucky. It's all fun and games; until after Andy being tucked into bed, Chucky moves about on his own, begins to freak out Miss Caffeine Babysitter, breaks a flour vase and sneaks up from behind and...

Needless to say, she doesn't survive. Andy and his mother are now at the center of a police investigation. Andy is convinced that his doll, Chucky, is the culprit behind the accidental death of his babysitter. Not surprisingly, neither his mother, nor Norris believe him. But after a few more "accidental" deaths with Andy at the scene are becoming too frequent, Andy becomes more and more of a suspect. He's taken away from his mother. Mommy becomes more suspicious of Chucky. She stares him down. Chucky innocently answers as doll-Chucky. Poor woman thinks she's going bonkers, until when throwing the box away, the batteries meant for Chucky drop to the floor! Uh-oohh! She needs further proof. She lifts the doll to check the battery compartment.

"Hi, I'm Chucky! Wanna Play?!?!"

Okay, I'm done here. The film at this point shoots into high gear once Dourif's voice surfaces and it becomes a whole new experience. Child's Play is a merciless horror/comedy thriller that offers no letup once Chucky is unleashed and his reign of terror unfolds. Part of the fun is seeing Chucky go after his prey with gusto and glee, making him one of the most memorable horror movie fiends on film. So much so that six films (that all were named after Chucky after Child's Play 3 with a new one coming in 2017!) were made and all voiced by Dourif. It's Dourif that adds the magic touch with his gruff, cackly, smart-alecky-profanity-spewing voice. While many films had been made, this is still the first and the best of the series. They almost always are.

Next Up: A Club Med for werewolves!

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About the Creator

Carlos Gonzalez

A passionate writer and graphic artist looking to break into the BIG TIME! Short stories, scripts and graphic art are my forte! Brooklyn N.Y. born and raised. Living in Manchester, Connecticut! Working on two novels now!

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