The Devil & Daniel Webster - Criterion Collection

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Stephen Vincent Benet's timeless 1937 short story gets the red-carpet treatment on Criterion's feature-packed DVD of The Devil & Daniel Webster. William Dieterle's inspired film remains the classic it always was, proving that Citizen Kane wasn't the only cinematic marvel to appear in 1941. It's a sturdy, stylish rendition of Benet's original narrative, beginning when a luckless farmer (James Craig) strikes a Faustian bargain with the devil incarnate Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston at his devious best), trading his soul for seven years of prosperity, during which he grows corrupted, despised, and regretful of his mistake. To Scratch's chagrin, legendary orator Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) intervenes with a triumphant defense, and Dieterle's brilliant direction gives the proceedings a light, economical touch of supernatural mischief.

To complement the cleverness of the film adaptation, this delightful DVD also includes a playfully expressive reading of Benet's original story by Alec Baldwin, and vintage radio performances of two of Benet's three "Daniel Webster" stories. The film and radio plays were scored by legendary composer Bernard Herrmann, whose Oscar®-winning film score is examined in an interactive essay by Herrmann expert Christopher Husted. Excerpts from an earlier preview version of the film (then titled Here Is a Man) reveal creepy, negative-image shock-shots of Mr. Scratch that were later removed, but they further demonstrate Dieterle's willingness to experiment. With additional essays and archival materials, Criterion's superb DVD shows how a great story can lend itself, with consistent success, to a variety of mediums. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

This Version Is The One To See.......2007-09-06

First off, let me state that after viewing both versions of this film: the 85-minute and the 106-minute ones, both have their merits. For VHS, I recommend the shorter version. If you have the Criterion DVD with a 106-minute one, however, you have the best. I had seen both on tape but when I saw the longer version with a great DVD transfer, it convinced me the longer one is the version you want to see. It also seemed to improve the whole movie.

The Criterion DVD helped me appreciate the underrated black-and-white cinematography in this movie. It simply looks super, and even the special-effects are still pretty darned good considering the year this was made.

Character-wise, as so often is the case, the bad-guys are the most interesting in the movie. The best was Walter Huston playing "Scratch" (the Devil) and Simone Simon playing a female helper of his. Simon has the allure in this story to drive leading character "Jabez Stone" away from his sweet wife "Mary" (Anne Shirley).

Overall, this is a different story than anything you've seen. It's interesting, nicely directed by William Dieterle and photographed by Joseph August. Sadly, the latter died later in the 1940s with a heart attack. His last picture was another visual wonder: "Portrait Of Jennie."

4 Star Movie 2 Star Presentation 0 Star Price.......2007-07-07

37 bucks for a poorly restored pretty good movie. Who is fooling who? The audio is a travesty and the print barely acceptable. This isn't a 90 year old foreign silent movie where there's only so much that even state of the art restoration can do. This is a WW2 era major American studio release. No excuses. One wonders if they simply copied an old vhs tape onto a dvd and called it a day. The price is simply absurd, even by Criterion's usual hold-the-good-films-hostage-for-high-ransoms business practices. Extras are cool but they don't justify highway robbery. One would think they would see the wisdom in long term gains to be had from a reasonably priced product. I would love to own many Criterion movies but the prices force me to be extremely picky. Lower the prices and I'll buy at least twice as many as I already have. Do the math. Would you rather sell 20 products at $30 or 40 at $20? The movie itself is an interesting, if somewhat unimaginative, Faustian morality tale with an American slant, a great performance by Walter Huston as the devil and a few neat camera tricks. Basically, an above average product of Hollywood's contract era movie studios. Hardly Seven Samurai, Wild Strawberries or Citizen Kane level of excellence here in the first place and the nonexistant restoration and outrageous price assure I will never own it.

Old New England Wisdom stirs the spirits........2007-05-07

Ah! Here is a journey back in time to the values that built the nation. A blend of history, folklore, humor, and morals entertains us a curious way. This is one the whole family will want to see more than once.

The Price of Wealth.......2007-04-04

This film is from a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet that considers the morality of wealth. It tells of the economic troubles in the early 19th century that affected farmers and mechanics. One young farmer has more than his share. Then a stranger shows up and offers to make him "lucky". "You don't get rich by working hard but by working other people hard" says Old Scratch. Jabez Stone signs in blood (no Miranda warning), and becomes lucky by finding hidden gold. Jabez pays off his mortgage, his debts, and buys new things. This film shows village life in the 1840s, horse-drawn carriages and wagons on dirt roads. Daniel Webster had passed a law to benefit the farmers of America.

Jabez uses his wealth to lend seed to other farmers. As they prosper, he takes his cut of the harvest. But a hailstorm ruins the crops of many farmers. They now have to work to make Jabez rich. The harvest dance shows them happy in this celebration. Jabez avoids church to drink and gamble on Sunday. [Is he going to the Devil?] The villagers gossip about Jabez and how he has changed. Jabez now has a big mansion and a mistress, and dresses like a lord. He gives a party, but the invited guests don't show up. Jabez learns what is really important in life, but he has signed a contract.

Lawyer Daniel Webster will fight the devil for the soul of Jabez Stone. Can an American serve a foreign prince? The judge and jury, all Americans, will decide on the validity of the contract. Webster speaks to the jury and appeals to them so Jabez will not make a mistake. "Don't let the country go to the Devil!" The jury quickly arrives at a verdict. Then it is morning again in America. [Any contract that violates public policy is null and void.]

The people in those days had to worry about the weather, not about factories being shut down for private advantages and profits. We see how an economic depression is used to increase the wealth of a few by taking wealth from the many.

"all that money can buy".......2007-03-05

Jabez Stone (James Craig) is plagued with problems, his dog goes wild, is pig breaks a leg, his wife Mary (Anne Shirley) is unseated, he can't pay his mortgagee and he lets his seed fall to ground. For two cents he would sell his soul to the devil. Enter Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston.)

Later, if he realizes his folly who can save Mr. Stone from paying his debt? And at what cost? As we learn that a man's soul is his own.

Simone Simon is perfect as Bella Dee, the temptress from over the hill. She made me want to go over the hill. See her again in "Cat People" (1942).

There are some great film advances for the time including, lap dissolves, montage, and narrative shorthand. Make note of the use of shadows. Periodically there are long passages of dialog reminiscent of Ayn Rand. Poignant music by Bernard Herrmann such as "the miser's waltz."

Working title "A certain Mr. Scratch", Based on a story by Stephen Vincent Benet, a one act opera, and screenplay by Dan Totheroh.

This is more of a commie movie than and American movie, as you ether are a stingy money grubber capitalist or a pour saintly commune, oops I mean grange member.

William Dieterle was suspect in the 1941 red scare. He helped bring Kurt Weill, and Bertolt Brecht to this country. Jeff Corey who played
Tom Sharp (The character that was always trying to get everyone to join the grange) was brought up before the house on un-American activities for attending commie meetings.

Be sure to watch the Criterion 106 minutes presentation.

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