Expert: Mel - 1/29/2005

Question
I've seen this movie on tv. It's b/w, maybe in the 40's,about death or the devil stuck up in a tree.With him up there no one can be born or die.It does not seem like a horror,more like a comedy or fantasy.Cannot remember any of the actors. Thank You for any help.  Keith  

Answer
Hello Keith,

I think you may be referring to an almost forgotten and very underrated film from 1941 called "The Devil And Daniel Webster". On different re-issue versions, it has also been titled "All That Money Can Buy" and "Daniel And The Devil".

It starred Walter Huston as Mr. Scratch (The Devil, who spends much of his time sitting in the tree outside the farmhouse) and Edward Arnold as Daniel Webster.

The story centred around a farmer who makes a deal with the Devil for seven years of prosperity. When Mr. Scratch comes to collect at the end of the seven years, renowned orator and hero of the common man, Daniel Webster comes to the rescue to debate with the Devil.

It is available on VHS and DVD in the USA and Canada.


You can read a copy of the script at the following site:

http://tinyurl.com/5hs2h


And here's a review of the film:

http://www.popmatters.com/film/reviews/d/devil-and-daniel-webster.shtml


Glad to be of help. Cheers.......Mel.