Max’s Drive-In Movie – The Devil and Daniel Webster

I was instantly hooked on this 1941 movie on my first viewing. I love the Faust story in all of its versions. One of my favorite old movies. I do like fantasy movies, and this one doesn’t need spinning heads or big special effects.

They do a great job retelling the old story. It opens with Jabez Stone, his wife Mary Stone, and his Mom in an old farmhouse. Everything that can go wrong… does for Jabez. He is a struggling New Hampshire farmer who, in a moment of pure desperation, blurts out that he’d sell his soul for a little luck. He then meets “Scratch” (The Devil) inside his barn, and then is one of the many talked into a deal for his soul. The cast assembled for this movie is perfect. Not a bad performance in the movie. Edward Arnold is convincing as the popular congressman and senator, Daniel Webster. The 1940s had some of the best character actors of any era. Walter Huston as the Devil was played chillingly and brilliantly.

Huston doesn’t enter with flames and fury; he strolls in like a salesman who knows he’s got exactly what you want. Suddenly, Jabez has prosperity and a dangerous new confidence. What makes the movie work, even now, is the blend of Americana and an eerie atmosphere. Bernard Herrmann’s musical score, which won an Oscar, shifts from fiddle hoedowns to otherworldly sounds without missing a beat. The cinematography focuses on contrasts that make every room feel haunted.

Also known as “All That Money Can Buy” it was released in 1941 by RKO Radio Pictures.

Image result for devil and daniel webster

Not trying to give much away, but it comes down to a battle between Daniel Webster and the Devil over Jabez’s soul. The jury is the jury of the dammed. The movie is definitely worth watching.

The movie was based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benét.

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

21 thoughts on “Max’s Drive-In Movie – The Devil and Daniel Webster”

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  7. Max, I have never seen this one, but I am curious to do so now. I don’t recall even seeing the trailer, but since the movie came out before my time I will give myself a pass on that.😁

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  9. Never seen this one, but its on my Christmas ‘to see’ list now. I like the simple effects and reliance on acting of these 40s and early 50s movies. A personal fave was ‘The Canterville Ghost’ with Charles Lawton and Robert ‘Marcus Welby’ Young, which I saw on TV in those tender years of 8-9 when you just let the film entrance you.

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    1. I think you will enjoy it. The black and white also adds to the atmosphere of this. A drunk Daniel Webster goes to trial with the devil…what more can you want? They pull out every bad guy from history for this one.
      It’s also full of character actors and for me…that era had some of the best.

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