The Devil and Daniel Webster
Jabez Stone is a hard-working farmer trying to make an honest living, but a streak of bad luck tempts him to do the unthinkable: bargain with the Devil himself. For seven years of good fortune, Stone promises “Mr. Scratch” his soul when the contract ends. When the troubled farmer begins to realize the error of his choice, he enlists the aid of the one man who might save him: the legendary orator and politician Daniel Webster. Directed with stylish flair by William Dieterle, The Devil and Daniel Webster brings the classic short story by Stephen Vincent Benét to life with inspired visuals, an unforgettable Oscar-winning score by Bernard Herrmann, and a truly diabolical performance from Walter Huston.
Special Features
- New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound
- Audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith
- Reading of Stephen Vincent Benét’s short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by acclaimed actor/director Alec Baldwin
- Comparison between The Devil and Daniel Webster and the earlier preview version of the film, Here Is a Man
- The Columbia Workshop’s radio dramatizations of Stephen Vincent Benét’s short stories “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and “Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent,” both featuring music by Bernard Herrmann
- The music of The Devil and Daniel Webster, presented in an interactive essay by Christopher Husted of Bernard Herrmann's estate
- Gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and promotional materials
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- New essay by author Tom Piazza and a reprinted article by Benét
New cover by Jennifer Lui
Special Features
- New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound
- Audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith
- Reading of Stephen Vincent Benét’s short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by acclaimed actor/director Alec Baldwin
- Comparison between The Devil and Daniel Webster and the earlier preview version of the film, Here Is a Man
- The Columbia Workshop’s radio dramatizations of Stephen Vincent Benét’s short stories “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and “Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent,” both featuring music by Bernard Herrmann
- The music of The Devil and Daniel Webster, presented in an interactive essay by Christopher Husted of Bernard Herrmann's estate
- Gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and promotional materials
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- New essay by author Tom Piazza and a reprinted article by Benét
New cover by Jennifer Lui
Cast
- Edward Arnold
- Daniel Webster
- Walter Huston
- Mr. Scratch
- Jane Darwell
- Ma Stone
- Simone Simon
- Belle
- Gene Lockhart
- Squire Slossum
- John Qualen
- Miser Stevens
- Anne Shirley
- Mary Stone
- James Craig
- Jabez Stone
Credits
- Producer
- William Dieterle
- Director
- William Dieterle
- Associate producer
- Charles L. Glett
- Screenplay
- Dan Totheroh
- Screenplay
- Stephen Vincent Benét
- Short story by
- Stephen Vincent Benét
- Music composed and conducted by
- Bernard Herrmann
- Director of photography
- Joseph August
- Art director
- Van Nest Polglase
- Associate art director
- Al Herman
- Special effects by
- Vernon L. Walker
- Costumes by
- Edward Stevenson
- Set decorations by
- Darrell Silvera
- Recorded by
- Hugh McDowell Jr.
- Recorded by
- James G. Stewart
- Editing
- Robert Wise
- Assistant director
- Argyle Nelson
- Dialogue director
- Peter Berneis
