Review on the Run: Of Dolls and Murder is an engrossing documentary about the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death dioramas created by Frances Glessner Lee in the 1940's. Lee's dioramas are still used effectively and famously to train police detectives in medical forensic thinking so homicide cases can be solved scientifically. Many professionals were interviewed including forensic pathologists, police detectives, medical examiners, autopsy technicians, a producer from the CSI TV show and others.
There were a few topics of discussion running through this documentary including the morbid curiosity that attracts people to the subject of murder investigation. But on the other hand, many of the professionals expressed great dedication to finding evidence that will reveal the correct perpetrator and bring about true justice. Also discussed was the CSI Effect which brainwashes laypeople who regularly watch the show into thinking that an unreasonable amount of evidence can be delivered in an impossibly short amount of time. Women's issues in the 30's and 40's were illuminated by examining Frances Glessner Lee's personal life. Even though Lee was a millionaire heiress, she was not allowed to attend university. In spite of that, she became a respected adviser to many police departments and started the Harvard Department of Legal Medicine.
The dioramas are now in the Maryland Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore, the home of John Waters, writer/director of such films as Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom and others. Waters narrated the documentary in his entertainingly dark comedic style. Since he is an aficionado of famous homicide cases, it made a lot of sense to have him narrate. Excellent cinematography made it easy to have a peak into the Nutshells. This documentary is rich in information and humanity and I'm looking forward to seeing it again. Highly recommended!
Official Movie Website:
http://www.ofdollsandmurder.com/
