All That Money Can Buy (aka The Devil and Daniel Webster) (1941) - Blu-ray Forum

MifuneFan · 12-15-2023, 04:09 PM

Criterion will be releasing The Devil and Daniel Webster aka All That Money Can Buy (1941) on Blu-ray on March 12th.

All That Money Can Buy (a.k.a. The Devil and Daniel Webster)

https://www.criterion.com/films/622-...daniel-webster

Quote:

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder and Steven C. Smith, biographer of composer Bernard Herrmann
New restoration demonstration
Reading by actor Alec Baldwin of the short story by Stephen Vincent Benét on which the film is based
Episode of the Criterion Channel series Observations on Film Art about the film’s editing
Comparison of the differences between the July 1941 preview version of the film, Here Is a Man, and the film’s 1943 rerelease as The Devil and Daniel Webster
The Columbia Workshop’s radio adaptations of Benét’s short stories “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and “Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent,” both featuring music by Herrmann
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by author Tom Piazza and a 1941 article by Benét

Illustration by Thomas Ott

DavidRoylance · 12-15-2023, 04:16 PM

My most wanted upgrade! Hurrah!

JupiterMission · 12-15-2023, 05:04 PM

So glad this is finally coming out. Sort of interesting that they would put it out as "All That Money Can Buy" but then still put "The Devil and Daniel Webster" on the cover, but whatever, I'll take it.

MifuneFan · 12-15-2023, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterMission

So glad this is finally coming out. Sort of interesting that they would put it out as "All That Money Can Buy" but then still put "The Devil and Daniel Webster" on the cover, but whatever, I'll take it.

Their DVD had Devil and Daniel Webster as the main title, and it is the original title of the film before RKO changed it (so as not to confuse it with The Devil and Miss Jones apparently). It's gone by both titles since then, so I think Criterion were just covering their bases here. I actually expected the two titles to be reversed on this new release.

JupiterMission · 12-15-2023, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Their DVD had Devil and Daniel Webster as the main title, and it is the original title of the film before RKO changed it (so as not to confuse it with The Devil and Miss Jones apparently). It's gone by both titles since then, so I think Criterion were just covering their bases here. I actually expected the two titles to be reversed on this new release.

Same. I think it's more commonly known by TD&DW now, so I figured that would be the prominent title. I do like the new art though, and either way, I am just so happy that this will finally be out next year. I've got two boys under two years old, and this is one of the movies on my list to show them in a few years to introduce them to older movies. Very glad I'll have a nice blu-ray to play for them. (Although the DVD really isn't too bad.)

BluPat · 12-15-2023, 06:49 PM

Wow what great artwork. Looks fantastic. I've never seen this. Might have to get it.

CinemaScope · 12-15-2023, 07:15 PM

As I understand it, it was released as All That Money Can Buy, but then it was cut down, & the shorter version was called The Devil & Daniel Webster. It's a brilliant film, a true classic (& really enjoyable), I think the (sort of) courtroom scene where Daniel Webster gives a great speech in defence of Jabez Stone is one of the great scenes in cinema.

lilboyblu · 12-15-2023, 07:19 PM

Have owned this DVD for some time. There’s a nice 60 page booklet with it that I think I’ll keep, but really looking forward to the upgrade.

Moviefan2k4 · 12-15-2023, 07:28 PM

I remember several years ago, Jennifer Love Hewitt gave an interview where she said she was going to play the devil in a remake of this. But I guess the rights got tangled up or something, because nothing ever came of that following her interview.

Doc Moonlight · 12-15-2023, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I remember several years ago, Jennifer Love Hewitt gave an interview where she said she was going to play the devil in a remake of this. But I guess the rights got tangled up or something, because nothing ever came of that following her interview.

No it was made. Shortcut to Happiness (2003)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0263265..._flmg_c_25_act

dancerslegs · 12-15-2023, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

As I understand it, it was released as All That Money Can Buy, but then it was cut down, & the shorter version was called The Devil & Daniel Webster. It's a brilliant film, a true classic (& really enjoyable), I think the (sort of) courtroom scene where Daniel Webster gives a great speech in defence of Jabez Stone is one of the great scenes in cinema.

The speech that Mr Scratch gives to Daniel Webster before the trial arguing for the “Americanness” of the Devil was incredibly daring for the time, too. I guess only the egg this movie laid at the box-office prevented its creatives from being pursued by HUAC a few years later.

Anyway, so happy to finally see this 4K restoration of a fantastic film finally announced by Criterion. (Yes, a 4K disc would’ve been better than a blu-ray, but what the market will bear and all that.)

OceanBlue · 12-16-2023, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluPat

Wow what great artwork. Looks fantastic. I've never seen this. Might have to get it.

I have heard of it before, only from discussion on here (this year or the year before I'm sure). I agree with what you say about that front cover artwork (two words I'm thinking of, are 'lovely' and 'gorgeous' (the film sounds interesting). Could get this Criterion US title at some point.

RFK · 12-16-2023, 12:44 AM

Day one! Just watched the DVD last month, such a great film.

ponderingtheuniverse · 12-16-2023, 03:31 AM

Its too bad its not being released on April 7th, as it would've been fitting. I watched it for the first time on that date this year. I had to do a double-take and check my phone when they said the date. It was one of the funniest coincidences to happen to me this year.

Like Arsenic and Old Lace, I wish that had received a 4K release but I'm glad we're getting it in HD.

All Darc · 12-16-2023, 10:55 AM

https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=368853718744297

The negative dirt spots (white) and positive damage (dark) indicates the source was a interpositive. Fine grain probably. And looks very good...

One more great work of UCLA by Scott MacQueen.

Richard--W · 12-16-2023, 12:52 PM

A work of art, an instant classic, and a masterpiece.

Walter Huston's performance is devious fun.
He out-jokes the Joker.

Love this film.

shane01 · 12-16-2023, 02:26 PM

I can retire my Criterion LaserDisc! Definitely picking this one up. All their March releases are pretty great.

Danespina · 12-17-2023, 02:47 AM

One special feature that doesn't look like it'll be carried over from the DVD is as follows:

*The music of The Devil and Daniel Webster, presented in an interactive essay by Christopher Husted of Bernard Herrmann's estate.

Hammerlover · 12-17-2023, 03:07 AM

The clip on Criterion's page looks very good indeed.

playingphysicist · 12-17-2023, 11:37 AM

I am a little surprised (and disappointed) that they didn't do this as a 4k UHD, considering this is an upgrade all the way from DVD? Was the source not strong enough for one?

Saw this many years ago on Hulu actually when Criterion had some movies on that, didn't realize it didn't even have a blu release.

12-15-2023, 04:16 PM	#2
DavidRoylance Special Member Member since:Feb 2013	My most wanted upgrade! Hurrah!

12-15-2023, 05:04 PM	#3
JupiterMission Power Member Member since:Sep 2016 Trading Score:2	So glad this is finally coming out. Sort of interesting that they would put it out as "All That Money Can Buy" but then still put "The Devil and Daniel Webster" on the cover, but whatever, I'll take it.

12-15-2023, 06:49 PM	#6
BluPat Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Texas 4K collection:241 Blu-ray collection:1455 Blu-ray reviews: 80 Trading Score:4	Wow what great artwork. Looks fantastic. I've never seen this. Might have to get it.

12-15-2023, 07:15 PM	#7
CinemaScope Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jun 2011 Location:London	As I understand it, it was released as All That Money Can Buy, but then it was cut down, & the shorter version was called The Devil & Daniel Webster. It's a brilliant film, a true classic (& really enjoyable), I think the (sort of) courtroom scene where Daniel Webster gives a great speech in defence of Jabez Stone is one of the great scenes in cinema.

12-15-2023, 07:19 PM	#8
lilboyblu Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Apr 2010 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:19	Have owned this DVD for some time. There’s a nice 60 page booklet with it that I think I’ll keep, but really looking forward to the upgrade.

12-15-2023, 07:28 PM	#9
Moviefan2k4 Banned Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Montgomery, TX 4K collection:44 Blu-ray collection:317 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:2	I remember several years ago, Jennifer Love Hewitt gave an interview where she said she was going to play the devil in a remake of this. But I guess the rights got tangled up or something, because nothing ever came of that following her interview.

12-16-2023, 12:44 AM	#13
RFK Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2015	Day one! Just watched the DVD last month, such a great film.

12-16-2023, 03:31 AM	#14
ponderingtheuniverse Power Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2018 Location:TX 4K collection:161 Blu-ray collection:317 DVD collection:215 MA collection:78 Digital collection:29 iTunes collection:13 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Its too bad its not being released on April 7th, as it would've been fitting. I watched it for the first time on that date this year. I had to do a double-take and check my phone when they said the date. It was one of the funniest coincidences to happen to me this year. Like Arsenic and Old Lace, I wish that had received a 4K release but I'm glad we're getting it in HD.

12-16-2023, 10:55 AM	#15
All Darc Expert Member Member since:Oct 2017	https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=368853718744297 The negative dirt spots (white) and positive damage (dark) indicates the source was a interpositive. Fine grain probably. And looks very good... One more great work of UCLA by Scott MacQueen.

12-16-2023, 12:52 PM	#16
Richard--W Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2012 4K collection:105 Blu-ray collection:3001 DVD collection:1767 Digital collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:1	A work of art, an instant classic, and a masterpiece. Walter Huston's performance is devious fun. He out-jokes the Joker. Love this film.

12-16-2023, 02:26 PM	#17
shane01 Power Member Top contributor Member since:Sep 2011 Location:The Southland 4K collection:452 Blu-ray collection:1407 DVD collection:339 MA collection:268 Digital collection:17 iTunes collection:117 Prime collection:3 Trading Score:133	I can retire my Criterion LaserDisc! Definitely picking this one up. All their March releases are pretty great.

12-17-2023, 02:47 AM	#18
Danespina Expert Member Member since:Aug 2014 Trading Score:1	One special feature that doesn't look like it'll be carried over from the DVD is as follows: *The music of The Devil and Daniel Webster, presented in an interactive essay by Christopher Husted of Bernard Herrmann's estate.

12-17-2023, 03:07 AM	#19
Hammerlover Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2020 Location:Hammer House	The clip on Criterion's page looks very good indeed.

12-17-2023, 11:37 AM	#20
playingphysicist Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2021 4K collection:61 Blu-ray collection:176	I am a little surprised (and disappointed) that they didn't do this as a 4k UHD, considering this is an upgrade all the way from DVD? Was the source not strong enough for one? Saw this many years ago on Hulu actually when Criterion had some movies on that, didn't realize it didn't even have a blu release.

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