The Devil and Daniel Webster
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The Devil and Daniel Webster |
| Original title | The Devil and Daniel Webster / All That Money Can Buy |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1941 |
| length | 105 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | William Dieterle |
| script |
Dan Totheroh , Stephen Vincent Benét |
| production | William Dieterle |
| music | Bernard Herrmann |
| camera | Joseph H. August |
| cut | Robert Wise |
| occupation | |
| |
The Devil and Daniel Webster is an American fantasy film directed by William Dieterle in 1941. The screenplay is based on the short story of the same name by Stephen Vincent Benét . The film premiered on October 17, 1941 in San Francisco . In Germany, the film was shown in cinemas for the first time on May 9, 1947, and in Austria on August 31, 1945. It was sold under the titles Der Teufelsbauer , Alles Was Geld sein, and All That Money Can Buy . Some scenes in the film are still missing today. On July 13, 1993, WDR broadcast a restored version that was extended by seven scenes.
action
A town in New Hampshire in 1840. Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster urges farmers to fight back against loan sharks. Jabez Stone is in danger of losing his farm to moneylender Stevens because he cannot repay his loan. A stranger named Scratch comes to Stone and offers seven years of prosperity in exchange for his soul. Stone accepts, and Scratch makes a mark in a tree stating that the trade will be completed on April 7, 1847. With his new fortune, Stone can repay his loan, build supplies, and lend his neighbors money for new seeds.
When Senator Webster arrives in town, Stone gives a speech in his favor. The residents applaud. Stone's wife, Mary, becomes pregnant, and Stone tries to fell the marked tree. Scratch warns him that a hail shower would destroy his neighbors' fields, only Stone's fields were spared. Stone turns the other farmers against him when he offers them to work for him as a harvest hand. But the hardship forces them to accept the offer. On the evening of Thanksgiving, Stone's son is born and baptized in the name of Daniel. Soon after, Belle comes to town working for Scratch. She looks after the baby as governess.
After seven years, Stone is only devoted to money. Mary visits Senator Webster and tells him about her concerns for her husband. Webster drives back with Mary. Stone is planning a grand housewarming party that same evening. Before the other farmers go to his party, they express their displeasure with Stone to Webster. When Mary arrives at the party, Belle tells her to leave the house. Stevens arrives afterwards and informs Mary that he too has signed a contract with Scratch. Now Scratch and Webster arrive. Webster warns Stone not to take advantage of the other farmers. Stone is upset and throws Webster and Mary out of the house.
Meanwhile, Scratch has seized Steven's soul. He offers Stone to extend the contract if he hands over his son. The other farmers rush to Webster and ask him for help. Webster rushes back with the people. At midnight, Scratch reappears. Webster calls for a hearing, and Scratch agrees if he can choose the jury members. He names twelve men known as traitors, including Captain Kidd , Captain Blackbeard , Simon Girty , Benedict Arnold and Stede Bonnet . The chairman is Justice Hathorne, chairman of the Salem Witch Trial . He demands Webster's soul for the devil should he lose the process.
Webster appeals to the jury's patriotism and belief in the right to freedom. He draws their attention to the fact that they have given their souls to the devil as pledge. If Stone were acquitted, they would be able to pay off part of their debt. The jury declares the contract between Scratch and Stone null and void. Stone's new house goes up in flames. Stone and his wife are reunited, the other farmers forgive him for his greed and unscrupulousness.
background
- The film was shot from March 15 to June 12, 1941 at RKO Studios Hollywood. It premiered on October 16, 1941 at Radio City Music Hall , New York. It was released in theaters on October 17, 1941.
- At the Academy Awards, the film was shown under the alternative title All That Money Can Buy . This title was chosen so as not to cause unrest in the very religious American South with the word Devil in the title.
- Thomas Mitchell was scheduled for the title role . In one riding scene, Mitchell fell from his horse and suffered a fractured skull that confined him to bed for 17 weeks. Fortunately, Mitchell made a full recovery from his injury. Edward Arnold stood in for him and had to repeat all the scenes with Mitchell.
- In 1949 the Oscar-nominated Walter Huston, the father of the later famous director, screenwriter and actor John Huston , won an Oscar for best supporting actor.
- Simone Simon, who played Belle, was born in France. This film is her first Hollywood role.
- For composer Bernard Herrmann it was only the second film work.
- Film editor Robert Wise soon went into directing and production and later won four Oscars.
- Benét's short story, for which he was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1944 , was filmed two more times: in 2001, directed by Alec Baldwin with Anthony Hopkins in the title role (German title: Shortcut to Happiness - The Devil is in the Detail ) and 2005 as an animated film entitled The Devil and Daniel Mouse .
Reviews
"Alienation and fascinating special effects make the variation of the Faust saga an important fantasy film of the 1940s, which culminates in a stupendous trial before a jury of damned souls."
"Expressionist jewel of the« Citizen Cane »workshop"
Awards
- Oscar in the category Best Film Music to Bernard Herrmann
- Nomination for Best Actor for Walter Huston
literature
- Stephen Vincent Benét : The Devil and Daniel Webster (Original title: The Devil and Daniel Webster ). German by Maria von Schweinitz . In: Daniel Webster and the sea serpent. Stories (Original title: Twenty-five Short Stories ). Piper, Munich 1948, pp. 135-153
- Marta Mierendorff: William Dieterle. The Plutarch of Hollywood . Henschel, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-89487-177-6 , especially pp. 217-243
Soundtrack
- Bernard Herrmann : The Devil and Daniel Webster. Orchestral Suite From the Motion Picture Score . On: Bernard Herrmann: Welles Raises Kane · The Devil & Daniel Webster · Obsession . Unicorn Kanchana, s. l. 1994, sound carrier no. UKCD 2065 - stereophonic recording (phase-4-stereo) by the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the composer from 1967
- Bernard Herrmann: The Devil and Daniel Webster. Suite for Orchestra . On: Bernard Herrmann: The Devil and Daniel Webster . Koch, Westbury 1994, audio carrier no. 3-7224-2 H1 - digital, stereophonic new recording by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under the direction of James Sedares from 1993
Web links
- The Devil and Daniel Webster in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Critique of Variety
- Time Magazine review
Individual evidence
- ^ Wilhelm (William) Dieterle - actor, director . In: CineGraph - Lexikon zum Deutschsprachigen Film , Lg. 22, F 28
- ↑ The Devil and Daniel Webster. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed October 21, 2016 .
- ↑ The Devil and Daniel Webster. In: Cinema . Hubert Burda Media , accessed on May 30, 2020 .