Overview
The Lake Shore Strangler, a mass murderer who has plagued the Chicago area for months, meets his untimely end when he gets shot in a toy warehouse. Left for dead, the killer summons the strength to recite a voodoo chant which causes his soul to be "reincarnated" into one of the dolls resting on the shelves. The incantation also sparks an unnatural lightning storm, and when lightning hits the warehouse, it burns to the ground. Only one doll survives: the doll possessed by the killer's soul. Later, a mother innocently buys this doll as a present for her son. At first, everything seems fine, but soon the doll starts communicating with the young boy. Then he slays the child's babysitter. That's only the first of his many gruesome exploits, however. So watch out...because just when you think Chucky's gone--he might be coming back. Horror master Tom Holland (FRIGHT NIGHT) directs this horror classic that spawned several sequels.
Awards:
Main Cast & Crew:
Tom Holland - Director
Catherine Hicks
Chris Sarandon
Alex Vincent
Brad Dourif
Dinah Manoff
Details
- Format: DVD (New Box Art)
- Run Time: 87
- Color Format: Color
- UPC: 883904112242
- Genre: Horror
- Rating: R (MPAA)
- Release Date: September 1999

Movie Reviews
Notes:
David Kirschner created the Chucky doll. Kevin Yagher designed him and executed his movements. There were nine Chucky puppeteers on the set and two different actors responsible for his voices. Edan Gross was the voice of the friendly Chucky, and John Franklin was the voice of "Walkabout" Chucky.
Estimated budget $19 million.
The film was shown at the Virginia Festival of American Film in Charlottesville in October, 1988. It also played at the 1989 Avoriaz Fantasy Film Festival in France.
Film was inspired by the "Amelia" sections of the Dan Curtis television show "Trilogy of Terror," where the lead actress was persecuted by a possessed Zuni doll.
The film was followed by multiple sequels.
Reviews:
"...A fitting successor to the classic television horror stories it takes off from....Holland treats his audience intelligently..." - 11/09/1988 New York Times, p.C19
"...An exceptionally jolting roller-coaster ride through an especially scary tunnel of love....The chills come thick and fast..." - 11/09/1988 Los Angeles Times, p.C3
3 stars out of 5 -- "CHILD'S PLAY works fine as goofy nostalgia..." - 11/01/2012 Total Film
