Rating: 
Summary: Funny, creepy, sexy
Review: What a sweet piece of work. Really good dialogue, and many well written and acted parts besides the obvious titular characters. Miser Stevens and Stone's mother were very good, and especially Simone Simon as the nursemaid/mistress. Three emotional qualities really stand out to me: Funny: Huston as ol' Mr. Scratch was SO good. Very funny, cynical wit. Lots of little things that stand out from him, all the odd places he turns up. He's everywhere, leading the band at the parade for Dan'l, in Washington whispering in the senator's ear, playing a mean fiddle at the barn dance. His insults to Jabez Stone were priceless. The bit at the end of him ravenously devouring this huge pie was a really funny demonstration of his greed, and the final moments of examining his book for the next target are priceless. Creepy: Between all the funny stuff were the implications of hell and damnation, but especially terror and hopelessness (Stone and Miser Stevens). The visitors at Stone's new mansion really creeped me out good. Also creepy was the infamous scene where Miser Stevens recently harvested soul comes flying out of Scratch's jacket pocket screaming for help. This also counts as funny, at least when my five year old nephew and I go around effecting high-pitched squeals begging "Help me Neighbor Stone." Sexy: Belle, the French nanny/whore that Scratch sent Jabez was hotter with her clothes on and no direct sexual behavior than the hookers making out in the elevator to entertain Al Pacino in "The Devil's Advocate." Note the exact tone and body language of her mocking rebuff to Stone at the barn dance saying "Oh, NO Mr. Stone- your place is with your WIFE." .... The hottest thing in the movie (and one of the creepiest things) is the scene where she is singing some evil otherworldly lullaby to Stone's infant son. Rewind and watch it closely a couple of times. What was she singing? Surely this is one of the greatest forgotten movies of the era. This should be making some of those AFI top 100 list thingeys.
Rating:
Summary: Classic DEVIL film gets classic DVD treatment
Review: When it was first released in 1941, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER (originally released as ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY) found itself buried under the controversial shadow of Orson Welles' classic film, CITIZEN KANE, which came out at the same time. Adding insult to injury was the fact that this classic adaptation of the Stephen Vincent Benet tale would suffer cuts and trims that would dissipate the film's impact. Now, thanks to a first-class restoration effort by Criterion, this stylish quick-witted film can be seen in all its original glory. The film tells the story of Jabez Stone (James Craig), a struggling New Hampshire farmer, who curses his ill-luck to the point of offering his soul to the devil. No sooner does he voice his wish, when a sinister little man named "Mr. Scratch" (Walter Huston) appears. Needless to say, the seven year deal for good luck and money is struck and the kindly farmer is soon corrupted, despite the best efforts of his wife and his mother. Eventually, Jabez comes to bitterly regret his deal and it is up to famed orator Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) to defend him in a hellish court before a jury of the damned. Director William Dieterle (who previously helmed the classic 1939 version of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME) does a wonderful job in presenting his tale through the powerful use of shadow and contrast. Bernard Herrmann compliments the film with a stellar score which won him the Academy Award that year. The acting, for the most part, is also top-notch. While not the best actor in the world, James Craig is solid enough as the hapless Jabez. Ann Shirley is equal parts warmth and steel as his loving wife. Jane Darwell, who earned praise as Ma Joad in the classic THE GRAPES OF WRATH, is solid in another "salt of the earth" role as Ma Stone. Simone Simon is absolutely sexy and appropriately sinister as Belle, the demon lady that Scratch recruits to keep Jabez in line. Edward Arnold, who replaced Thomas Mitchell after an on-set accident, is top-notch as the larger-than-life Daniel Webster. Used to playing ruthless businessmen and pompous fathers, Arnold makes the most of this plum role, and his final speech to the unholy jury is a definite highlight. When all is said and done, however, it is Walter Huston's marvelous portrayal of the Devil that will remain in the memory long after film's end. With a folksy, puckish demeanor, Huston creates a fun-loving, even likable character. However, when Jabez tries to wheedle out of the deal, Huston drops the smiling facade, showing us the true nastiness of his character. It is a definitive performance. As with many of Criterion's DVD releases, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER has extras that will please both fans of the film and the original story. Along with an informative film commentary by noted film historians, there is a wonderful audio recording of the original tale read by Alec Baldwin, along with 2 old radio dramas covering both the original and another, "Daniel Webster and the Seas Serpent." There is also an excellent feature focusing on Bernard Herrmann's wonderful score which uses clips from the film for emphahsis. Overall, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER is a classic that definitely is a must-have for your film collection and one that I highly recommend. It's a "hell" of a movie!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Big Screen Satan
Review: Who is YOUR favorite on-screen devil? Surely not John Ritter or George Burns? Not when there's Max Von Sydow in "Needful Things" and Al Pacino in "The Devil's Advocate." Yet these two recent superb performances pale beside Walter Huston's "Mr. Scratch" in "The Devil and Daniel Webster." Huston is a jolly Scratch, one who never misses an opportunity for petty sin, be it swiping a pie or a bunch of carrots, guzzling hard cider, or encouraging a bit of lethargy. Through it all he never forgets his big mission of corruption and soul-gathering. He also takes his losses in stride.
As he battles for the soul of one Jabez Stone, a hapless New Hampshire farmer, he must battle a stern but likeable Daniel Webster, ably played by great character actor Edward Arnold. The culminating trial by 'the quick and the dead' is eerie and touching.
The film has an awesome Bernard Herrmann score and effects and cinematography that still look good over half a century later.
This film is profound yet intensly witty, much like the original Stephen Vincent Benet short story.
This is one film you should have no hestitation in buying. You will want to watch it again and again.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Big Screen Satan
Review: Who is YOUR favorite on-screen devil? Surely not John Ritter or George Burns? Not when there's Max Von Sydow in "Needful Things" and Al Pacino in "The Devil's Advocate." Yet these two recent superb performances pale beside Walter Huston's "Mr. Scratch" in "The Devil and Daniel Webster." Huston is a jolly Scratch, one who never misses an opportunity for petty sin, be it swiping a pie or a bunch of carrots, guzzling hard cider, or encouraging a bit of lethargy. Through it all he never forgets his big mission of corruption and soul-gathering. He also takes his losses in stride.
As he battles for the soul of one Jabez Stone, a hapless New Hampshire farmer, he must battle a stern but likeable Daniel Webster, ably played by great character actor Edward Arnold. The culminating trial by 'the quick and the dead' is eerie and touching.
The film has an awesome Bernard Herrmann score and effects and cinematography that still look good over half a century later.
This film is profound yet intensly witty, much like the original Stephen Vincent Benet short story.
This is one film you should have no hestitation in buying. You will want to watch it again and again.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Big Screen Satan
Review: Who is YOUR favorite on-screen devil? Surely not John Ritter or George Burns? Not when there's Max Von Sydow in "Needful Things" and Al Pacino in "The Devil's Advocate." Yet these two recent superb performances pale beside Walter Huston's "Mr. Scratch" in "The Devil and Daniel Webster." Huston is a jolly Scratch, one who never misses an opportunity for petty sin, be it swiping a pie or a bunch of carrots, guzzling hard cider, or encouraging a bit of lethargy. Through it all he never forgets his big mission of corruption and soul-gathering. He also takes his losses in stride.
As he battles for the soul of one Jabez Stone, a hapless New Hampshire farmer, he must battle a stern but likeable Daniel Webster, ably played by great character actor Edward Arnold. The culminating trial by 'the quick and the dead' is eerie and touching.
The film has an awesome Bernard Herrmann score and effects and cinematography that still look good over half a century later.
This film is profound yet intensly witty, much like the original Stephen Vincent Benet short story.
This is one film you should have no hestitation in buying. You will want to watch it again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: YET ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING TRANSFER FROM CRITERION
Review: With the DEVIL & DANIEL WEBSTER, we have yet another example of a shoddy Criterion transfer. The problem here is not the picture, but the sound. Admittedly the picture could be improved - especially the bothersome vertical white line coursing through much of the film. The sound, though, is appalling: a constant and annoying hiss makes it almost impossible to appreciate the astonishing acting and lighting and, obviously, the score. How long can Criterion coast on its heretofore deserved reputation as a distributor of classic films on DVD? With this and other recent fiascos, one can only assume not long.
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