The Devil and Daniel Webster (film)
The Devil and Daniel Webster / All That Money Can Buy (USA, 1941) is a feature film (sound, B&W, 107m), directed by William Dieterle.
~ Screenplay by Dan Totheroh and Stephen Vincent Benét, based on The Devil and Daniel Webster by Stephen Vincent Benét.
~ Music by Bernard Herrmann (Oscar for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture)
Abstract
A poor farmer Jabez Stone sells his soul for seven years of luck and prosperity. When the devil comes to collect his due, Stone doesn’t want to pay the price of all that good living. Mr. Scratch offers him an extension in return for the soul of his son, but Stone is horrified at the thought and asks his good friend Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) to help him. Webster defends Stone’s breach of contract in front of a jury handpicked by Mr. Scratch (and consisting of some of the most notoriously evil men in American history). Webster eloquently defends the integrity of the soul and the importance of second chances. Fortunately for Stone, the jury agrees that one should be allowed to raise their fists against the fates and the foreman tears up Mr Scratch’s contract.
Cast
- Walter Huston = Mr. Scratch (Devil)
Editions
Produced and released in the United States (17 October 1941). Distributed internationally.