A night watchman (Per Oscarsson) in Stockholm interrupts a burglary and finds a mannequin that he takes home; in his mind, it’s a beautiful and very much alive woman. Director Arne Mattsson knows how to use the shadows of black-and-white cinematography to chilling effect; that along with Oscarsson’s performance elevate this psychological look at loneliness and mental illness. The star must have studied Anthony Perkins in Psycho (1960); he looks like him and plays his character in a similar fashion. Behind the youthful façade lies insanity. Gio Petré is credible in the transition between doll and human.
1962-Sweden. 94 min. B/W. Produced by Lorens Marmstedt. Directed by Arne Mattsson. Screenplay: Lars Forssell. Music: Ulrik Neumann. Cast: Per Oscarsson (Lundgren), Gio Petré (The Doll), Tor Isedal (Fredriksson), Elsa Prawitz, Bengt Eklund, Marie-Louise Nordgren.
Trivia: Original title: Vaxdockan. Allegedly based on an idea by Gunnar Björnstrand.
