The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)
I remember renting The Devil and Daniel Webster in college, watching it by myself, and getting scared out of my gourd. Walter Huston, in one of his most memorable performances as Old Scratch, literally gave me nightmares. I raved and raved about the movie and his performance, and recently, I rented it again and watched it with my mom. It was so much different than I remembered! Walter Huston wasn’t the lead! Walter was up for Best Actor at the 1942 Oscars ceremony, probably because he carried the movie and everyone else remembered his scenes the best, as I did. Just be prepared when you rent it that he’s hardly in the movie. He may be the best thing about it, and he may be wonderfully frightening with his scratchy voice, unblinking eyes, and evil grin, but he’s not the lead.
All I’d remembered were his scenes, but James Craig was in nearly every minute of the movie, while Walter only showed up sporadically. However, even though having to sit through James Craig’s portrayal of a country bumpkin and Anne Shirley’s Olivia de Havilland imitation, it was still incredibly enjoyable. I’d previously criticized James’s performance, since this was the only film I’d ever seen him in, but I’ve since seen him in several other films and learned than in The Devil and Daniel Webster, James was merely acting. So, in case you find him incredibly irritating, rent Lost Angel to see him in a better role.
For those of you who don’t know the story, it’s a take on the “sell your soul to the devil” story. James is a poor farmer who bargains with Walter for money, but in the process he drives away his family and his friends. Then, of course, when Walter comes back to collect his soul, James tries to get out of it and enlists the help of the great orator Daniel Webster, played by the powerful Edward Arnold. I wasn’t on James’s side, since he willingly made the bargain and knew what would be asked of him. I’ve never been in favor of squeaky wheels, but watching Walter’s spooky performance is worth it. Try this one on Halloween by candlelight!
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Jeff Corey movies here!
More Walter Huston movies here!
All I’d remembered were his scenes, but James Craig was in nearly every minute of the movie, while Walter only showed up sporadically. However, even though having to sit through James Craig’s portrayal of a country bumpkin and Anne Shirley’s Olivia de Havilland imitation, it was still incredibly enjoyable. I’d previously criticized James’s performance, since this was the only film I’d ever seen him in, but I’ve since seen him in several other films and learned than in The Devil and Daniel Webster, James was merely acting. So, in case you find him incredibly irritating, rent Lost Angel to see him in a better role.
For those of you who don’t know the story, it’s a take on the “sell your soul to the devil” story. James is a poor farmer who bargains with Walter for money, but in the process he drives away his family and his friends. Then, of course, when Walter comes back to collect his soul, James tries to get out of it and enlists the help of the great orator Daniel Webster, played by the powerful Edward Arnold. I wasn’t on James’s side, since he willingly made the bargain and knew what would be asked of him. I’ve never been in favor of squeaky wheels, but watching Walter’s spooky performance is worth it. Try this one on Halloween by candlelight!
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Jeff Corey movies here!
More Walter Huston movies here!