Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="willieboyd2, post: 1683150, member: 4910"]The 1941 RKO film "The Devil and Daniel Webster" is about an 1840 New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the Devil for wealth, then tries to get Daniel Webster, the famous lawyer, to get him out of the contract. Several types of coins appear in the film. A remark about "two cents" produces two Large Cents. The wealth appears as a cache of large copies of ancient Greek and Roman coins. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_01.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />01. Title <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_02.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />02. Introduction <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_03.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />03. Mr. Scratch picking out a customer He picks Jabez Stone, a farmer living in Cross Corners, New Hampshire. Jabez is married to Mary, and Jabez's mother Ma lives with them. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_04.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />04. Daniel Webster getting an offer Daniel Webster is a famous lawyer and politician who wants to be President. Here he rejects an offer of campaign assistance. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_05.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />05. Jabez and Ma owe their calf The farm is in debt to Miser Stevens, a "loan shark" who wants a payment. Jabez thinks Stevens will accept their calf as payment. After a couple of accidents, Jabez is fed up with his troubles and exclaims"That's enough to make a man sell his soul to the devil! And I would for about two cents!" <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_06.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />06. Two Cents The "two cents" appear to be Canadian large cents of the time of Queen Victoria. The left coin is a New Brunswick cent from 1861-1864. The right coin is a Canadian cent from 1876-1901. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_07.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />07. Mr. Scratch appears He wants to take Jabez up on his offer. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_08.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />08. Mr. Scratch presents his card Business cards are handy. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_09.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />09. Mr. Scratch suggests an arrangement He explains that some farmers find gold lost by the Hessians. The Hessians were soldiers of the German prince of Hesse who were hired as mercenaries by the British during the American Revolution. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_10.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />10. Mr. Scratch makes a point He points to the ground, which opens up to reveal something. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_11.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />11. Jabez is surprised Jabez is shocked at what he sees. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_12.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />12. Jabez looking at the goods There is a large pile of old coins on the ground. The idea that the Devil or another spirit can be summoned via magic to locate buried treasure was an old legend in early 19th century America <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_13.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />13. By the way... Mr. Scratch produces the contract for Jabez to sign. The contract is for "money and all that money can buy" for seven years, ending on April 7, 1847. Mr. Scratch inscribes the termination date on a tree. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_14.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />14. Buried gold The coins are imitations of ancient Roman "SC" and Greek Alexander head coins. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_15.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />15. Buried gold Another look at the goods. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_16.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />16. Contract signed The unholy contract is signed and, yes, in blood. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_17.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />17. Jabez tells wife Jabez tells his wife about his find, but doesn't mention who else was involved. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_18.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />18. Treasure in bag A closer look at some of the coin props used in the film. They appear to be larger than real size copies of ancient Greek and Roman coins. Some have the head of Alexander the Great on them. The one to the left with "S-C" has a legend of a coin issued by the Roman Emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37). <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_19.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />19. Treasure in bag showing large coin The large coin to the right has the head of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_20.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />20. Ma is suspicious Ma is a wise woman and she suspects that something isn't right. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_21.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />21. Family saying Grace The family says "Grace", a prayer to God. Jabez's new friend would not like that. The next day, Jabez goes to Miser Stevens' office to pay his debt. He gives Stevens some of the coins, and Stevens' is shocked. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_22.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />22. Miser Stevens compares coins Stevens compares Jabez's coin with one from his box of coins. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_23.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />23. Miser Stevens looks closer He sees that they look similar. The coins are blurred so it is hard to read what is on the reverse of the right coin. The left coin appears to be one of the Alexander the Great copies. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_24.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />24. They look alike Stevens realizes where Jabez got the gold and who he got it from. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_25.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />25. Mary gets a new bonnet Jabez buys Mary a new bonnet. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_26.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />26. Daniel Webster and Mr. Scratch Mr. Scratch is seen hanging around the town. Daniel Webster comes to make a political speech, but Mr. Scratch gets him some rum which puts him to sleep, allowing Jabez to give a speech. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_27.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />27. A new arrival Jabez and Mary with their new baby son. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_28.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />28. Belle appears She comes from "over the mountain", no doubt someone sent her. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_29.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />29. Ma is surprised Ma is really shocked to see this woman taking care of her grandson. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_30.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />30. Belle winks Bad, really bad. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_31.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />31. Jabez new big house Jabez builds a big new mansion, but Mary and Ma refuse to live in it. Belle becomes his hostess and manages the house and entertainment. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_32.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />32. Mary sees Daniel Webster Mary is disgusted with the situation and visits Daniel Webster for help. Webster also knows that Jabez has been lending money to other farmers and has become a "loan shark". Jabez and Belle throw a large party for the local gentry, but do not invite the ordinary people. However almost no one comes, then a group of spirits arrive. Miser Stevens is there, he is worried about the state of his soul as his seven years are up. Belle dances with Stevens and he dies during the dance. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_33.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />33. Mr. Scratch points out Jabez argues with Mr. Scratch who points out that Jabez is owned. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_34.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />34. Miser Steven's soul Stevens' soul as a moth is captured by Mr. Scratch, he says Jabez soul is also small, but he would like to have Daniel Webster's soul, the wingspan would be enormous. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_35.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />35. Mr. Scratch gets serious Jabez's seven years are almost up, he asks Mr. Scratch for an extension. Mr. Scratch tells him that he wants Jabez's son and Jabez refuses. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_36.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />36. Jabez asks for help Jabez goes to Daniel Webster and asks for advice and help. Webster says he would fight "10,000 devils" for a New Hampshire man. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_37.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />37. Mr. Scratch and Daniel drink together The two adversaries prepare for their trial. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_38.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />38. Judge John Hathorne John Hathorne was a judge at the infamous Salem Witch Trials, he never repented of his actions. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_39.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />39. The trial The trial commences with a jury picked by Mr. Scratch of the "quick and the dead". <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_40.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />40. A jury of the dammed The jury includes: Captain Kidd, he killed men for gold Simon Girty, the renegade; he burned men for gold Governor Dale, he broke men on the wheel Asa, the Black Monk, he choked them to death Floyd Ireson and Stede Bonnet, the fiendish butchers Walter Butler, the king of the massacre Big and Little Harp, robbers and murderers Teach, the cutthroat Morton, the vicious lawyer And General Benedict Arnold, you remember him, no doubt. Daniel Webster gives an impassioned argument about American liberty and values, and service to foreign princes, then leaves the case with the judge and jury. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_41.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />41. Mr. Scratch is surprised at the verdict The jury decides in favor of Jabez., surprising Mr. Scratch. <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_42.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />42. The happy family reunited <img src="http://www.brianrxm.com/posts/post_devildanielwebster_43.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />43. Mr. Scratch points out his next customer Still doing business. Notes: Cast:Walter Huston as Mr. ScratchEdward Arnold as Daniel WebsterJames Craig as Jabez StoneAnne Shirley as Mary StoneJane Darwell as Ma StoneSimone Simon as BelleJohn Qualen as Miser StevensH.B. Warner as Justice John Hathorne Director: William DieterleWriters: Stephen Vincent Benet and Dan Totheroh <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]

Create my FREE Account!

Log in or Sign up

Reply to Thread

Useful Searches