Puppet Master (1989)
Starring: Paul Le Mat, Irene Miracle, Matt Roe, Kathryn O'Reilly, Barbara Crampton
Director: David Schmoeller
Synopsis: Murderous puppets avenge their masters death
Reviewed by: Omar Khan

The film starts off promisingly with a freaky title sequence set to music a little like the twisted accordion waltz of Les Yeux Sans Visage. Then, being from the Charles Band stable one could assume that there ought to be some good B-Movie qualities associated. Perhaps most promising of all was the fact that David Schmoeller, one of B-grade horror's unsung talents was directing this one. He had after all been responsible for the wonderful Tourist Trap, a film much adored here at The Hot Spot.

Funnily enough some snatches of the music from Tourist Trap composed by Pino Donaggio have been lifted for use here by Charles Band. In the opening scenes when the two assassins are closing in on Toulon, as they ride up the elevator that's when the music lifted from Tourist Trap makes a brief appearance. Very peculiar indeed. Perhaps Schmoeller was responsible for the lifting?!

The story which has spawned countless straight to video sequels by now is one of a weird doll maker Andre Toulon who unleashed his murderous set of dolls to wreak revenge on those he thinks were responsible for his downfall. Schmoeller shows much of his usual flair within what was obviously a tight budget. He uses the puppets with a high degree of skill and they manage to appear convincing and far from ridiculous. The puppets have since become best sellers in shops like forbidden planet.

The acting is rather weak and the script no way up to the mark, but Schmoeller's directorial flair and the amazingly monstrous puppets save the day and make this a more than watchable slice of macabre in the vein of Tod Browning's Devil Doll from years and years ago. Cannot be missed by true horror fans.