Welcome to The Queue — your each day distraction of curated video content material sourced from throughout the online. At the moment, we’re watching a video essay that explores why it is best to watch William Dieterle’s The Satan and Daniel Webster.
It’s the mid-1800s in New Hampshire, and an extremely named (however extremely unfortunate) farmer named Jabez Stone (James Craig) yearns for a greater life. His bible-clutching mom (Jane Darwell) and soft-eyed bride (Anne Shirley) guarantee him that they’re joyful; that being collectively is sufficient. However Jabez desires of the straightforward life. And, in a second of weak spot, he falls prey to that the majority notorious of temptations: he gives to promote his soul.
Immediately, a person — that’s, if he’s a person — seems Mr. Scratch (Canadian-born Hollywood royalty Walter Huston). With the slick allure of a seasoned salesman, Scratch guarantees prosperity and luck for the paltry sum of Jabez’s everlasting soul. Naturally, when the opposite shoe drops, Jabez realizes just one man can save him: lawyer, statesman, and actual historic determine, Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold).
Additionally marketed as All That Cash Can Purchase, William Dieterle‘s 1941 movie slots in properly amidst its American folks horror friends, which inform and re-tell the story of a determined man prepared to threat all the pieces for fulfillment. It’s a becoming cautionary story for a nation steeped in Satan offers and predatory capitalism. And few Hollywood productions have carried out the legend justice fairly like The Satan and Daniel Webster.
If you happen to want extra convincing, right here’s a video essay on why it is advisable test this gem out, from its expressionistic cinematography to Bernard Hermann’s solely Oscar-winning rating.
Watch “The Satan and Daniel Webster (1941) – twentieth Century Gems”
Who made this?
This video essay on why The Satan and Daniel Webster guidelines is by APLattanzi, a contract filmmaker and illustrator who hails from the Philadelphia space. You’ll be able to subscribe to them on YouTube right here. Their essays cowl a big swath of matters, from movie scores to quick movies. You too can discover them on Letterboxd right here.
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