‘The Devil and Daniel Webster’: All That Money Can Buy
Director William Dieterle’s film on the Faustian deal with the devil is set in New England.
(L–R) Mr. Scratch/the Devil (Walter Huston), Jabez Stone (James Craig), and Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) meet to negotiate a Faustian deal, in “The Devil and Daniel Webster.” RKO Radio Pictures
Stephen Vincent Benét’s short story inspired this film, set in 19th century New Hampshire. Benét drew on the German fable of the Faustian bargain, which in turn hinges on a biblical verse that upholds soulful living over materialism.
Rudolph Lambert Fernandez
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Rudolph Lambert Fernandez is an independent writer who writes on pop culture.
