Nursery Crimes

What could be creepier than a grown-up Freddy Krueger? How about Freddy as a tyke. In New Line Cinema’s just-out “Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 5: The Dream Child,” the little devil invades the nightmares of a young pregnant woman who’s being pursued by Freddy.

Baby Freddy’s creator, special effects artist David Miller, told us that the tot has radio-controlled facial features--to enhance its screams and cries--and also operates as both a hand and a rod puppet. That allows for head, arm and leg movement.

“It’s, um, kind of gross I guess,” laughed Miller, 29, who created the makeup appliances and the Freddy “look” for the original “Nightmare on Elm Street” in 1984.

Miller went on to work on projects including “Terminator,” “Cocoon,” Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “a whole slew of horror films.”

“Nightmare 5” marks his return to what is easily his most infamous creation. Now at work on the syndicated “Nightmare on Elm Street” TV series, Miller chalks up Freddy’s popularity to the fact that he frequently cracks one-liners after committing vile crimes.

“Here’s a monster who can make you jump--and then make you laugh.”