The Devil Commands (The Devil Said No) (1941)
Release Date: Feb 3, 1941 Wide
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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 1,283
Movie Info
Also known as When the Devil Commands, this cheap but lively Columbia melodrama was the last of Boris Karloff's "mad doctor" series (the official denoument of the series, The Boogie Man Will Get You, was a farcical lampoon). The film begins on an ominous note, as Anne Blair (Amanda Duff) makes a return visit to the spooky old house owned by her scientist father Julian Blair (Karloff). Curious as to why the local villagers seem so frightened, Anne soons learns the reason: Blair has been
Feb 3, 1941 Wide
Aug 26, 2003
Sony Pictures Entertainment
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Cast
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Boris Karloff
Dr. Julian Blair -
Richard Fiske
Dr. Richard Sayles -
Amanda Duff
Anne Blair -
Anne Revere
Mrs. Walters -
Ralph Penney
Karl -
Dorothy Adams
Mrs. Marcy -
Walter S. Baldwin
Seth Marcy -
Kenneth MacDonald
Sheriff Willis
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All Critics (6) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (0) | DVD (7)
Karloff is allowed to act and shines in a frightingly sensitive and moving performance.
Played for maximum spookiness (maybe a little too much so in some cases), it's one of the most memorable of all 1940s horrors.
Audience Reviews for The Devil Commands (The Devil Said No)
Doctor Julian Blair's life is turned completely upside down when his wife passes away. Dr. Blair will stop at nothing to create a way to communicate with the dead so he can speak to his wife one last time. In the process of working on his invention Dr. Blair alienates his daughter, colleagues, and countrymen. How far will Dr. Blair go to accomplish his goal?
"There are things humans have no right to know."
Edward Dmytryk, director of Mirage, The Carpetbaggers, The Young Lions, The Reluctant Saint, The Juggler, Soldier of Fortune, Mutiny, Hitler's Children, and Secrets of the Lone Wolf, delivers The Devil Commands. The storyline for this picture has fantastic potential but wasn't as intense as I anticipated. The acting is first rate and the settings are well selected. The cast includes Boris Karloff, Anne Revere, Amanda Duff, and Richard Fiske.
"They say my father's spirit still lives in that house."
The Devil Commands aired during a Boris Karloff marathon on The Movie Channel (TMC) this past Halloween season. This was an interesting movie that was well written and had an interesting plot; however, the action scenes were scarce and not overly intense. Overall, I recommend seeing this film if you are a fan of old school horror movies or Karloff but this does not belong in your DVD collection.
"Science can unlock the mind."
Grade: B-
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Movie: ID: 17435 Title: The Devil Commands (The Devil Said No) Release Date: 1941-02-03 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 6 Status: 1
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Interesting plot and special effects.