The Devil and Daniel Webster

Watch it now

Cast

James Craig
as Jabez

Edward Arnold
as Daniel Webster

Walter Huston
as Mr. Scratch

Anne Shirley
as Mary Stone

Jane Darwell
as Ma Stone

Simone Simon
as Belle

Gene Lockhart
as Squire Slossum

John Qualen
as Miser Stevens

Frank Conlan
as Sheriff

Lindy Wade
as Daniel Stone

George Cleveland
as Cy Bibber

H.B. Warner
as Justice Hawthorne

Jeff Corey
as Tom Sharp

Sonny Bupp
as Martin Van Aldrich

Eddie Dew
as Farmer

Alec Craig
as Eli Higgins

Fern Emmett
as Wife

Robert Emmett Keane
as Husband

Carl Stockdale
as Van Brooks

Walter S. Baldwin
as Hank

Sarah Edwards
as Lucy Slossum

Virginia Williams
as Baby

Stewart Richards
as Doctor

Patsy Doyle
as Servant

Anita Lee
as Infant

Harry Hood
as Tailor

Harry Humphrey
as Minister

Ferris Taylor
as President

Robert Dudley
as Lem

Frank Austin
as Spectator

Jim Toney
as Another Farmer

Bob Pittard
as Clerk

Charles Herzinger
as Old Farmhand

Robert Strange
as Clerk of Court

Sherman Sanders
as Caller

Jim Farley
as Studio Gateman

William Alland
as Guide

Hazel Boyne
as Woman

View All

Critic Reviews for The Devil and Daniel Webster

Audience Reviews for The Devil and Daniel Webster

• Dec 26, 2011

  A New Hampshire sodbuster is up against the ropes and feeling it when he makes an errant oath: "I'd sell my soul for two cents if I could!" Enter His Most Despicable Oneness (charmingly sleezy as rendered by Walter Huston) and trouble comes with him. Who can save the day? Very nearly post expressionist German in style and substance this creative fantasy has stood the test of time gracefully.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• May 21, 2009

  Edward Arnold comes through again, this time as the legendary Daniel Webster, a lawyer and statesman who seemed more myth than man. Unfortunately, the bulk of the movie is about Jabez Stone, a simple farmer with a deep voice who likes to say "consarnit!" alot (and I do mean alot). Early in the movie, he makes a deal with the devil to become wealthy and have good fortune, and from that point on, we're shown the evils that money brings. Anne Shirley is the really beautiful actress playing his wife Mary, and Jane Darwell (Ma Joad from "the Grapes of Wrath") plays his loudly concerned mother. There's very little in the way of character development going on, outside of the typical 1940s hayseed dialogue (at one point, one of the characters cringe-inducingly says to another "that's mighty white of you"). Perhaps the only element with any sort of shocking undertone was the character "Belle" (as played by Simone Simon). As the devil's seductress, she basically kicks the wife out of the house and steals her son away. Jabez even builds a mansion just for her. Surely risque business for the 40s. It's not until the last 20 minutes that Daniel Webster and the devil actually duke it out, and it's a little anti-climactic at that. On the plus side, there's some outstanding direction and use of lense-smudging to create an eerie effect on the "jury of the damned". In spite of some corny cheesiness, it's still a worthy classic.
  Devon B Super Reviewer
• Dec 30, 2008

  i wasn't too inspired as some people seem to be by it but it had a strong script. the acting was average and where did that maid come from? the woman that was looking after the son... meh, didn't make sense! i haven't even mentioned the way there's so much... "look how great we are in the USA" going on in it. people actually believe that tripe? honest politicians in the big apple? it's like it was made for children to view. spoonfed morals
  Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
• Oct 19, 2008

  Solid, entertaining and thoughtful.
  Morris N Super Reviewer

The Devil and Daniel Webster Quotes

News & Features