The Doll - Recap

In India, 1907, a hideous doll looks on as the British forces battle the locals. In England, Colonel Masters returns to his home in England and his housekeeper, Miss Danton, greets him. Masters’ niece, Monica, comes down to greet him and he’s shocked to see that she has a new doll: the hideous-faced figurine. Miss Danton explains that it arrived from India and she thought that Masters had sent it. Monica says that the doll sings and talks, and refuses to get it up for a new one.

Masters escorts Miss Danton to his study and notes that the doll could be covered in disease brought back from India. Miss Danton figures that it was okay, since she believed that he had sent her, and notes that Monica has become attached to it. She notes that Monica has no friends and few toys, and Masters reminds her that he had to take on the girl and the estate when Monica’s parents died, and he can barely maintain it on a colonel’s salary. He asks if Miss Danton believes that the doll is dangerous, and the housekeeper admits that Monica has become obsessed with it. Masters tells her that the doll as meant for him, not Monica, and not to discuss their plans in the doll’s presence.

Masters has a new doll imported from London. Later, Monica comes to see him and tells him that her original doll doesn’t like the new one, and wants to get rid of it. Masters tells her not to imagine dolls talking, but Monica says that her doll is obsessed with Masters and talks about him all the time. She finally goes, saying that she’ll do what she can to convince her doll to accept the new one.

As Masters goes to bed, he hears Monica crying in her room. As Miss Danton comes to investigate the noise, Masters enters his niece’s room and discovers the new doll on the floor... in pieces.

Later, Pandit Chola, a Hindu, arrives in England and visits Masters. He explains that he sent the doll as revenge for the death of his brother, who he holds Masters responsible for. Masters insists that Chola’s brother was a fanatic who deserved execution for his raids on British outposts, but Chola accuses the colonel of cowardice. He dares Masters to shoot him then and there, but Masters refuses. Chola then explains that the doll’s teeth are poisoned and there’s no cure. He asks Masters if he tried to have the doll sent away, and Masters admits that he did but it came back. Masters says that he was India long enough to accept that magic is real, and that the doll can’t be destroyed until it completes its mission.

After Chola leaves, Masters takes a poker from the fireplace and goes upstairs as Monica cries for help. He finds the doll sitting on the stairs, waiting for him. Miss Danton goes to see Monica, and hears a noise on the stair steps. She goes to see what happened and finds Masters with a gash on his arm. He tells her to bring the doll with her to the study, and Miss Danton carefully brings it there. Masters throws it in the fireplace, telling her that he can destroy it now that it’s completed its mission. He then collapses in his chair and tells the housekeeper that he doesn’t have much time. Masters tells her that there’s a sealed envelope in his dresser, and she’s to take it to the man it’s addressed to. He then explains that he has an expensive insurance policy in his name, and that he’s designated her as the executrix of his estate. Masters tells her to use the money to move Monica to a pleasant neighborhood and buy her nice things.

Later, the man that Masters designated visits Chola at his apartment. He has a package with him, and gives it to Chola. When Chola asks what it is, the man explains that it’s a gift from Colonel Masters. Chola opens it and finds a doll in the form of Masters... and it opens its eyes and smiles at him.

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