The Doll
Teleplay by Rod Serling, Story by Algernon Blackwood
In the early years of the twentieth century, during the British era of colonialism, Colonel Masters returns to his home in London after several years away in India. He is greeted by his housekeeper, Miss Danton who asks how long he’ll be home to which he replies, “that will depend on the whims of the general staff at the colonial office.”
His young niece Monica also lives here, and she greets her uncle and excitedly tells him that she has a new doll, which she has with her. When Col. Masters’ eyes glance downward to the doll, his expression changes to one of shock and fear. It’s a little girl doll, but it does not appear innocent. Instead, it is terrifying: all black around the eyes as if a lunatic had applied eyeliner and false lashes, deep red lips and skin that looks like blood vessels are showing, topped by an unruly mop of dingy blonde hair.
The colonel suggests replacing the doll and dismisses Monica. He speaks with Miss Danton privately, asking her why she allowed such a grimy, unpleasant doll to become Monica’s. She replies that she thought it was sent by him as it arrived from India where he had just been posted. He asks if she has reason to doubt the harmlessness of Monica’s doll. Relieved to be allowed to speak what she had been keeping inside, she blurts out, “It’s unwholesome. There’s something terribly evil about it.”
She relates that Monica has the doll with her at all times. The colonel informs Miss Danton that he didn’t send it. He says they’ll have to get it away from Monica, but he adds, “we must mention nothing of our intentions in the doll’s presence.” Miss Danton is incredulous at that last part. He explains that the doll was a “gift” to him.
A new doll is purchased for and given to Monica, but shortly after its arrival, Monica tells her uncle that she has to give back the new doll because the old doll told her that she hates the new arrival. Monica suspects her first doll is jealous. The colonel wants her to give it another go with the new doll. Later that night, Monica is crying in her room and her uncle and Miss Danton rush to her and between sobs, Monica says the “hateful thing” tore the new doll apart. The severed remains are scattered about the floor.
Later, a man arrives to see the colonel. He says he is the brother of a man recently executed in India. The colonel explains that this man led a series of raids against British outposts, and he was tried and executed for these acts. The man explains that he is a “shudra,” a believer in magic. He says he is the one who sent the doll and says it will come back “until it has fulfilled its mission.” It can’t be destroyed until it has done its work. “The doll has teeth and there is no medicine on earth to save you” he warns the colonel as he leaves.
The colonel picks up a hot poker from the fireplace and heads up the stairs. But the doll is waiting, sitting at the top of the stairs. From downstairs, the colonel’s screams can be heard, as well as the sound of tiny feet running away. Miss Danvers comes up, and the colonel tells her he was bitten by the doll. He asks her to fetch the doll, which she does, and he throws it into the fire. “Now it’s destructible. It’s done its job” he says with a measure of relief and resignation.
He knows he will die soon, and he struggles to complete his final act. He instructs Miss Danton to get a sealed envelope from his dresser addressed to an Indian man. “See that it’s delivered to him immediately and tell him the thing has happened. He’ll know what to do,” he says. He explains that he has substantial life insurance and tells her to “look after Monica, take her where there are children to play with. Buy her things. A new doll for starters.”
Sometime later, an Indian messenger arrives at the apartment of the shudra who sent the doll to the colonel. The messenger carries a box about 18 inches long and tells the man that it’s a gift from the late colonel. “You gave him a gift. He reciprocates,” he says, and leaves.
The man in the apartment opens the box, drops it and looks ashen. In the box is a doll that looks exactly like the colonel. Its eyes open and it smiles.
Jedediah Smith 