The Devil and Daniel Webster with Edward Arnold: DVD Cover
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The Devil and Daniel Webster
a.k.a. A Certain Mr. Scratch, All That Money Can Buy, Daniel and the Devil, Here Is a Man Director: William Dieterle Cast: Edward Arnold, Walter Huston, James Craig, Jane Darwell

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  • DVD Release Date: 09/30/2003
  • Original Release: 1941
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • Sales Rank: 14,893

Viewer Rating: (3 ratings)

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  • Overview
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Scenes
  • Customer Reviews
  • Cast & Crew
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Features

Audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and author Steven C. Smith ("A Heart at Fire’s Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann"); video comparison between The Devil and Daniel Webster and William Dieterle’s preview version of the film, entitled Here Is a Man; the Columbia Workshop’s radio dramatizations of Stephen Vincent Benét’s stories, "The Devil and Daniel Webster" and "Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent," both with music by Bernard Herrmann; Gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and promotional materials; new essay by author Tom Piazza ("Blues and Trouble: Twelve Stories"); English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired; RSDL dual-layer edition; more.

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Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. "It Could Even Happen to You" [1:52]
2. For Better or for Worse [7:42]
3. Wonderful Language [4:07]
4. Seven Years [7:13]
5. Mashed Potatoes & Milk [1:40]
6. Paid in Full [3:10]
7. Ten Throws [6:41]
8. "Just the Beginning" [8:27]
9. Hail & Harvest [4:11]
10. Keeping Him Warm [6:23]
11. Higher Stakes [7:55]
12. No Respect [3:20]
13. A Changed Man [4:40]
14. Constitution & Bill of Rights [3:52]
15. "Quite a Success" [8:56]
16. The Contract [4:28]
17. "To Save a New Hampshire Man" [6:01]
18. American Judge, American Jury [5:14]
19. "Here Is This Man" [6:41]
20. And He Hasn't Been Seen... [3:22]
1. Color Bars

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

This classic fantasy was based on a story by Stephen Vincent Benet. Jabez Stone (James Craig) is a simple New England farmer who has been suffering from a long run of bad luck. One day he mutters that he'd sell his soul for a little money and a decent crop. Moments later, who should appear but The Evil One himself, Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston). Scratch offers Stone seven years of wealth and good fortune in exchange for his soul; Stone, assuming it's some sort of joke, agrees. Soon Stone's fields are plentiful and money is rolling in, but his financial success comes with a price; he becomes a cold and greedy tyrant, losing the affection of his family and the respect of his peers. In time, Stone realizes that he's made a terrible mistake and that Scratch won't let him out of their deal without a fight. Desperate to regain his soul, Stone turns to the greatest legal and oratorical mind of his day, Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold), who challenges Scratch to put his contract with Stone to the test in a fair trial. While a critical success and a favorite of film buffs, The Devil and Daniel Webster fared poorly at the box office; it was eventually released under five different titles and clipped to 85 minutes in hopes of winning a larger audience, though it was restored to a 107-minute length for release on home video. Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

The movie was still great more than 20 years later!by Piro

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March 25, 2009: I was only about 12 years old when I first saw "The Devil and Daniel Webster" and liked it so well, that I went back to the theatre to see it 2 more times!. It became a favorite topic within our small group of youngsters because we all remarked about the very last scene where Mr. Scatch does what? Can't tell you because it would spoil it for people who haven't seen the movie yet.

In any event, I joined the Navy during WWII where I served aboard a small Destroyer-Escort in the Pacific. I had an engaging conversation about "The Devil and Daniel Webster" movie with our Communications Officer (an English major) who was both delighted and very surprised that I knew the movie so well. In any event, I'll skip to the time it first came out on VHS years later. After I bought it (the first copy sold in the store!), it was with trembling fingers that I opened the package and inserted the VHS into the player. My heart raced...would it still be as good as I had remembered it? Yes! Oh, Yes! Yes! I've played it for my children and grandchildren so I heartily recommend it to everyone! It's a true Collector's Item!

Simply Stated - - - - - A Classicby Anonymous

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January 11, 2005: If there was ever a film which qualifies for a Hollywood classic it is the 1941 version of 'The Devil and Daniel Webster'.It is a near perfect combination of story, screenplay, actors, photography, music, set design, and lighting. Each character is well-defined and memorable. Edward Albert is perfect as Daniel Webster. Jane Darwell ('Grapes of Wrath') turns in one of her usual fine performances. Walter Huston, however, steals the show with a near perfect a portrayal of 'Old Scratch'. He is as clever and smooth a salesman as you will ever meet but when it is time for him to 'collect' the smiling mask is dropped to reveal his true nature. The story is one that all humanity can identify with --- the struggle between the desire for more and the realization of what true riches truly are. This film was, unfortunately, overshadowed by Orson Welles 'Citizen Kane' (which was released at the same time). It would be an excellent film to spark discussion in a high school or college class. If you don't own this film you should. It is worth watching more than once.


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