THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER is a picturesque morality tale about a man, a simple farmer (JAMES CRAIG), who finds out the hard way that all the money in the world can't buy happiness. But first, he has to lose all the things most important to him. Fortunately, the Devil (WALTER HUSTON) allows him to have his case tried before a jury when he's unwilling to keep his end of a bargain after selling his soul to "Mr. Scratch." It's a good tale but it loses something in transition to the screen from a story by Stephen Vincent Benet. First of all, JAMES CRAIG is entirely ill at ease in a role he's clearly unsuited for as the simple man who is fortunate to have a friend in Daniel Webster (EDWARD ARNOLD) who can defend him. Arnold is fine as the great orator, filling in for Thomas Mitchell who was unable to complete the role he started.
The sets have an artificial look with painted backdrops and the whole story photographed on a sound stage--something which shouldn't be too distracting because this is a blend of fantasy and fiction. But it only draws attention to the fact that we're watching a carefully staged movie rather than the real thing.
ANNE SHIRLEY has little to do but be sweet and forthright as Craig's compliant wife, JANE DARWELL is her usual self as Ma Stone, and assorted character actors walk in and out among the proceedings competently. But WALTER HUSTON lights up the screen every time he appears as Mr. Scratch. He plays the role with just the right touch of sardonic humor and with a melodramatic flair, clearly enjoying himself as he makes a deal with farmer Craig. He's so good that Craig's blandness stands out by comparison.
Bernard Herrmann's score is definitely not one of his finest, as some of the other comments seem to suggest. There are long passages of time where there is no music at all--and then scattered bursts of music whenever something vital is happening.
A disappointment for me. I had expected too much when I heard this was going to be shown on TCM. I just read the original New York Times review and they seemed to concur with what I just wrote.
SIMONE SIMON is attractive as the Devil's handmaiden but it's the kind of role that any young ingenue could have played equally well and not as arresting as her work in the Val Lewton films.
The sets have an artificial look with painted backdrops and the whole story photographed on a sound stage--something which shouldn't be too distracting because this is a blend of fantasy and fiction. But it only draws attention to the fact that we're watching a carefully staged movie rather than the real thing.
ANNE SHIRLEY has little to do but be sweet and forthright as Craig's compliant wife, JANE DARWELL is her usual self as Ma Stone, and assorted character actors walk in and out among the proceedings competently. But WALTER HUSTON lights up the screen every time he appears as Mr. Scratch. He plays the role with just the right touch of sardonic humor and with a melodramatic flair, clearly enjoying himself as he makes a deal with farmer Craig. He's so good that Craig's blandness stands out by comparison.
Bernard Herrmann's score is definitely not one of his finest, as some of the other comments seem to suggest. There are long passages of time where there is no music at all--and then scattered bursts of music whenever something vital is happening.
A disappointment for me. I had expected too much when I heard this was going to be shown on TCM. I just read the original New York Times review and they seemed to concur with what I just wrote.
SIMONE SIMON is attractive as the Devil's handmaiden but it's the kind of role that any young ingenue could have played equally well and not as arresting as her work in the Val Lewton films.