tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post1894806936120877477..comments2023-12-30T01:44:58.368-08:00Comments on The Girl with the White Parasol: Movie Review: The Devil and Daniel Webster Aubynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-76487380038715708462013-03-01T12:05:39.366-08:002013-03-01T12:05:39.366-08:00Jim Lane: Thanks so much for the detailed comments...Jim Lane: Thanks so much for the detailed comments. I wish I'd had the chance to listen to the DVD commentary. You're right in singling out the reactions to Dorothy's disappearance. Throughout the film the characters do have an unsettling tendency to accept the supernatural as it happens around them and yet deny it at the same time. I don't think either Craig or Shirley are bad. Shirley puts a fair amount of quiet intelligence into her part that makes Mary's helpless compliance all the more maddening. For Craig, I like him best in the moment where he almost repents and you can see the torment he's going through. I can't say for sure about the mansion since I haven't seen <i>Gone With the Wind</i> in ages. I was more struck by just how opulent it looks in comparison to all the farm sets.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-69497522829171312002013-02-28T02:45:25.777-08:002013-02-28T02:45:25.777-08:00Excellent piece, Aubyn, about an excellent choice ...Excellent piece, Aubyn, about an excellent choice for the blogathon. Bruce Eder's commentary on the DVD goes into all the confusion about the title (and what a can of worms <i>that</i> was!). One of the truly eerie touches, for me, is the movie's almost total silence about the fate of Dorothy, the servant girl who suddenly vanishes, to be replaced by Belle. Characters notice that Dorothy is gone, but nobody seems to wonder why; it's as if they're all under some spell (and Herrmann's music is at its creepiest when Belle is around). <br /><br />Thomas Mitchell was a better physical match for the real Daniel Webster, but Edward Arnold could scarcely be improved upon. I'm more inclinded to be patient with James Craig and Anne Shirley than you or some of your commenters, but your points are well-taken. Eder says Craig couldn't even handle the laugh when Jabez cackles at the misfortune of his neighbor; he had to be dubbed by Arnold. <br /><br />And by the way, in the quick glimpse we get of Jabez's fancy new mansion, did it look familiar to you? I can't prove it, but I'm certain that it's the Tara set from <i>Gone With the Wind</i>, slightly redressed -- the upper veranda and overhanging gable (no pun intended!) added as either a glass shot or hanging miniature.Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-19478047469077026032013-02-23T17:05:20.970-08:002013-02-23T17:05:20.970-08:00The Lady Eve: Hah, I can definitely see a Huston r...The Lady Eve: Hah, I can definitely see a Huston resemblance. To tell the truth, while John Huston doesn't have the the absolute tyrant reputation of a Ford, a Lang, or a Preminger, I always found him to be the most frightening. Always came off as the guy who could convince his actors to do anything because he was so charming...and diabolical. I agree that James Craig doesn't really shine here. You can see he's trying his hardest and he has good moments, but well, he's just not in the heavyweight class.<br /><br />Silverscreenings: I'm not sure why Huston got the Actor nomination here...although he does dominate the film and in a weaker year than 1941, he could have gotten a win out of it. Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-33535111244556779462013-02-23T09:14:52.745-08:002013-02-23T09:14:52.745-08:00Great review! I love this movie - especially Walte...Great review! I love this movie - especially Walter Huston and Edward Arnold. (Such a rip-off that Huston wasn't nominated as Best Supporting Actor, as you pointed out.) It's time to see this gem again.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-8538272283637512472013-02-21T20:58:32.754-08:002013-02-21T20:58:32.754-08:00Aubyn, Saw "The Devil and Daniel Webster"...Aubyn, Saw "The Devil and Daniel Webster" on TCM for the first time a few years ago and haven't seen it since, but you've brought everything I loved about it back to me, and more. Such a gorgeous and clever film. And Bernard Herrmann. Enjoyed your insightful and eloquent post from beginning to end. Walter Huston is a joy to watch (I remember thinking that in this role I could finally see his resemblance to his son - not sure what that implies about John Huston, though). He and Simone Simon both have quite a time of it in plum roles. I have only one reservation and that is James Craig who just seemed out of his league as an actor here.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-57025905758299944582013-02-21T19:53:56.461-08:002013-02-21T19:53:56.461-08:00Page: I'd never even heard of Kongo before you...Page: I'd never even heard of <i>Kongo</i> before you brought it up so I did some research and yikes! Yeah, that kind of movie certainly leaves an impression, alright. Maybe this is the moment to also bring up that Huston starred in <i>Gabriel Over the White House</i>, in which he solves all of America's problems by turning it into a fascist dictatorship. And <i>Mission to Moscow</i>, which was a propaganda film to urge support for Stalin. You get the feeling that Hollywood liked to use Huston's talents to disguise movies that were flawed, bizarre or downright ugly.<br /><br />Classicfilmboy: Happy to hear that you're a fan of the film, too. A lot of people were talking it up to me before I finally saw it.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-25250978489636491032013-02-21T16:39:33.242-08:002013-02-21T16:39:33.242-08:00Great film. I reviewed it a few years ago and am g...Great film. I reviewed it a few years ago and am glad you enjoy it as well. Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-47217895805761184602013-02-21T14:15:16.131-08:002013-02-21T14:15:16.131-08:00Aubyn,
So sorry I'm late getting here.
You&#...Aubyn,<br />So sorry I'm late getting here. <br /><br />You've certainly written a fascinating review of a very good film. (I've seen it only once and it)<br /><br />I had forgotten that Ann Shirley was in this film, but like you mention, her role was the least memorable.<br /><br />For some reason whenever I think of Walter Huston, I think of how vile he was in Kongo. Then here you are discussing this film that I tend to forget for some reason. He really was a brilliant actor who could take on any role. But like you, I loved him most in Dodsworth. (Being mean to Lupe does cause a lot of trauma, especially when he creeps around.)<br /><br />You've certainly reminded me of a great film from the 40s that I need to watch again with this very honest and nicely written piece.<br /><br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-48277048907791902772013-02-21T11:23:37.557-08:002013-02-21T11:23:37.557-08:00Rick29: I agree that a good script is essential. A...Rick29: I agree that a good script is essential. A quick IMDB search tells me that the screenwriter (Dan Totheroh) doesn't actually have many credits to his name, surprisingly. However, a lot of the dialogue and scenes are taken directly from the original story.<br /><br />Shadowsandsatin: And I'm so glad that you've decided to write for this blogathon, too! I loved your piece on <i>Criss Cross</i> which is a favorite of mine as well.<br /><br />Kevin Deany: Your idea for a double bill of this and <i>Night of the Hunter</i> intrigues me. Now that's an inspired match-up! Glad you like the site.<br /><br />FlickChick: Right back at you for your great review of <i>City for Conquest</i>.<br /><br />Patti: I would watch a lot of films just for Walter Huston, too. I think you'll like this film.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-61201506358489723742013-02-20T20:50:58.102-08:002013-02-20T20:50:58.102-08:00What a great review of a film I've never heard...What a great review of a film I've never heard of! I've come to really like Walter Huston, so I would watch this just for him. The added presence of Edward Arnold makes it a definite must-see.<br /><br />Thanks for bringing this film to my attention.Patti https://www.blogger.com/profile/12931836399684850729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-46096927914795654582013-02-20T17:19:27.787-08:002013-02-20T17:19:27.787-08:00This is one I missed, but now I am putting in my &...This is one I missed, but now I am putting in my "must see" list. Thanks for a well-written, informative and entertaining post.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-14864407981197402282013-02-20T14:10:01.664-08:002013-02-20T14:10:01.664-08:00Aubyn, a lovely post on one of my favorite movies....Aubyn, a lovely post on one of my favorite movies. I especially got a chuckle out of this sentence: "Huston's grin is so wide it doesn't quite seem attached to his face." HA! So true, and beautifully phrased. <br /><br />There's a mood to this film that few other films have achieved. Put this with a double feature of "The Night of the Hunter" and you would have a one-two punch of one-of-a-kind films, a darker look at Americana than other movies of those periods. <br /><br />I've always pictured technicians working at RKO in 1941, working on this and "Citizen Kane." They must have gone home agog every night. <br /><br />I enjoyed your writing and have bookmarked your site. I'll be checking in more often. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-24617562734517296442013-02-20T10:25:31.971-08:002013-02-20T10:25:31.971-08:00Excellent, as always, Aubyn. I have never been int...Excellent, as always, Aubyn. I have never been interested in seeing this movie, but of course your treatment makes me want to check it out immediately! I've missed your superb writing -- thank goodness for blogathons!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-88559906195892683132013-02-20T09:57:53.434-08:002013-02-20T09:57:53.434-08:00Huston and Arnold are great foils! However, it'...Huston and Arnold are great foils! However, it's not just a matter of great actors, they beenfitted from a strong script, too. (I always felt sorry for Ronald Colman and Vincent Price--two of my favorite actors--when they faced off in a similar trial in THE STORY OF MANKIND). Very enjoyable review of a fine movie that rarely gets the attention it deserves. And yes, I'd watch Simone talk with tax attorneys, too!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-39445901278058078682013-02-20T09:08:05.288-08:002013-02-20T09:08:05.288-08:00KimWilson: Thanks. I like it when somebody can bri...KimWilson: Thanks. I like it when somebody can bring some new life into the old "Deal with the Devil" story, as they do here.<br /><br />R.D. Finch: I always look forward to your comments, R.D. I don't begrudge Donald Crisp his Oscar for he's wonderful in an entirely different way. Still, I can't help thinking what might have been. Looking back, I wish I'd talked more about August and his work here, which is phenomenal. I also gave short shrift to Herrmann and this was his Oscar-winning score. You have a point about the difference between Mitchell and Arnold but I don't know, I've yet to see Mitchell in a less-than-excellent performance and I think he could have been a different kind of Webster. But still I wouldn't trade Arnold.<br /><br />Laura: My love for Simon is such that I would probably watch a film where she did nothing but talk on the phone to tax attorneys. You have to feel sorry for Anne Shirley, having to play opposite her in a tight bun and drab dress.<br /><br />Caftan Woman: Thanks for the tip about Mitchell. You figure playing the Devil is sort of like Hamlet and every great actor should get to have a crack at it.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-79632202491914704532013-02-20T08:48:57.938-08:002013-02-20T08:48:57.938-08:00You have vividly brought back all the emotions fel...You have vividly brought back all the emotions felt while watching "The Devil and Daniel Webster" in this piece. The film is a real masterwork, worthy of your tribute.<br /><br />Twenty years later Thomas Mitchell would get his kick at the devil in an episode of "Zane Grey Theater" called "A Warm Day in Heaven". He pulled it off with nice mix of charm and malevolence. Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-37226963394409587142013-02-19T23:57:24.411-08:002013-02-19T23:57:24.411-08:00I've been wanting to see this movie for a whil...I've been wanting to see this movie for a while now, ever since I heard La Belle Simone was in it. Plus, I'm in need of another good Walter Huston movie after subjecting myself to his starring role in D.W. Griffiths's abysmal 1930 <i>Abraham Lincoln</i>. Huston did what he could, but Griffiths wasn't giving him much to work with.<br /><br /><i>"Simon's French accent gives a strange, sing-song quality to her lines that's totally appropriate to a character that's meant to be otherworldly...As attractive as Belle is, she's also quite creepy, with her constant smiles and ability to insinuate herself completely into the Stone household...."</i><br /><br />Yep, for someone so cute and sexy and charming, it's that creepy "off" quality to Simon's work that makes her so memorable, and particularly right for supernatural parts. <br /><br />This is such a fabulous review. You've finally motivated me to go on and sell my soul already to see this movie. Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15532386898201721692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-22970238915508047202013-02-19T23:05:47.868-08:002013-02-19T23:05:47.868-08:00Aubyn, a great, very articulate post on a film fro...Aubyn, a great, very articulate post on a film from the forties that should be better known. I especially liked your paragraph (and examples) about the visuals being some of the most striking you've ever seen. I feel the same way. Of all the fantastic scenes in the movie, for me Huston's first appearance takes the cake! I have to agree that I wish Huston had been nominated for best supporting actor, which to me is where he belonged. I don't know if he would have prevailed against winner Donald Crisp, but he would have had a real chance. I'm also glad you singled out the photography by Joseph August--really impressive, especially the lighting in certain scenes. <br /><br />I've read about Thomas Mitchell originally being cast as Daniel Webster (and also that some long shots of him can still be found in the film), but as much as I admire Mitchell, I can't see him being as good as Edward Arnold was in the part. Mitchell always struck me as a sympathetic everyman, while Arnold always seemed bold and larger than life, and I think those latter qualities are what the character of Daniel Webster needed.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-19437460095136460122013-02-19T22:13:04.523-08:002013-02-19T22:13:04.523-08:00I always enjoy watching this--I'm a Faustian f...I always enjoy watching this--I'm a Faustian fan, too. I agree with you that Arnold and Huston are what makes this such a great film. Wonderful review!Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.com