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Saturday, June 29, 2019

THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER (1941)

First-rate Americana, or rather faux Americana, from Stephen Vincent Benet, out to write an original Faust-like New England folk tale, expanding on his own short story. Initially released as ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY, then re-released at various lengths as TDADW, the Criterion DVD gets close to the original edit and the film is a dandy. (Though print quality compromised.) With Walter Huston channeling his bliss as a very American Devil out to claim the soul of the farmer he’s thoroughly corrupted with seven years of good fortune and Edward Arnold’s Dan Webster pleading for the defense to a jury of ghostly American scoundrels. (H. B. Warner a standout as an ectoplasmic judge.) Arnold could be pretty self-indulgent, but really collects himself in his big court summation. Standing up to Huston no small thing! Imaginatively directed by William Dieterle working beautifully with cinematographer Joseph August and editor Robert Wise; neat special effects, too. And what a well handled mix of exteriors, real design integrity on location or soundstage. Add Bernard Herrmann’s Oscar® winning score to hold things together (he beat his own CITIZEN KANE this year*), and the film is a rare treat.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY/DOUBLE-BILL: Writers always tip the scales against the devil in final battles over sinners who’ve sold their souls. A built-in dramatic problem in these things. (Even G.B. Shaw cheats getting Don Juan Out of Hell.) See A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH/’46 which also uses historic characters in its fantasy courtroom scenes for another example. And doesn’t that acclaimed film look a bit overcooked after watching this.

LINK: *Here’s Bernard Herrmann conducting a modern recording of the title track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UyBwMQiBpk

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