Criterion Collection (series)

The Devil and Daniel Webster

Starring: Walter Huston Director: William Dieterle

DVD Features:

Audio:

• Dolby Digital Mono - English

Additional Release Material:

• Audio Commentary - 1. Bruce Eder - Film Historian, Steven C. Smith - Author
• Radio Spots - 1. Radio adaptations of THE DEVIL & DANIEL WEBSTER
• Before-and-After Comparison

Text/Photo Galleries:

• Behind-the-Scenes Photos and Promotional Materials
• Additional Text - 1. Essay by author Tom Piazza

Major Awards:

Academy Awards - Best Original Score (1941)

Product Description:

William Dieterle adapts Stephen Vincent Benet's transformation of the Faust legend from the tale of an aging genius to that of struggling New Hampshire farmer Jabez Stone, played by James Craig. When Stone absently exclaims that he would sell his soul for a little money and a decent crop, up pops the Mephistophelean Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston). Thinking the whole thing a joke, Stone takes Scratch up on his offer of seven years of prosperity in return for his soul. As Stone's fortunes change and his coffers swell, so does his character. He mutates into a hard, avaricious tyrant, nearly enslaving as tenant famers the neigbors who had been his friends. Ignoring his kind and patient wife, Mary (Anne Shirley), he takes a mistress, Belle (Simone Simon), builds her a mansion, and even allows her to raise his son. When Scratch comes to collect his debt, the terrified Stone realizes his error and begs legendary New Hampshire lawyer and politician Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) for help. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER is a nearly perfect film, very well acted and directed, with an exceptional performance by Huston. Even better are the Oscar-winning score by Bernard Herrmann and the gorgeous black-and-white photography of Joseph August.

Plot Synopsis:

Transplanting the Faust legend to the soil of New Hampshire, the film stars James Craig as Jabez Stone, a struggling farmer who one day, out of frustration, inadvertently summons the devil, incarnated as the mischievous Mr. Scratch. The Prince of Darkness offers him seven years of prosperity in exchange for his soul, and, considering the deal a joke, the farmer accepts. The seven years of good fortune turn the farmer into a cold, grasping tyrant who turns his back on all he had loved. When payment comes due, terrified, he realized his error and calls upon the legendary lawyer and statesman Daniel Webster to defend him in court against Mr. Scratch.

Plot Keywords:

Classic | Demonic Possession | Devil / Demons | Drama | Essential Cinema | Hell | Recommended | Suspense

Production Notes:

• William Dieterle appeared as an actor in Murnau's FAUST.
• Thomas Mitchell was replaced in the role of Webster because of a broken leg.
• The film shares some members of Welles's Mercury Theatre team, including actors William Alland and Sonny Bupp, as well as editor Robert Wise and composer Bernard Herrmann.

Cast and Crew: