Press Release Criterion Press Release: All That Money Can Buy (1941) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

Jabez Stone is a hardworking farmer trying to make an honest living, but a streak of bad luck tempts him to do the unthinkable: bargain with the devil himself. In exchange for seven years of good fortune, Stone promises “Mr. Scratch” his soul. But when the troubled farmer begins to realize the error of his choice, he enlists the aid of the one man who might save him: the legendary orator and politician Daniel Webster. Directed with stylish flair by William Dieterle, All That Money Can Buy brings the classic short story by Stephen Vincent Benét to life with inspired visuals, an unforgettable, Oscar-winning score by Bernard Herrmann, and a truly diabolical performance from Walter Huston as the devil.

FILM INFO​

• United States
• 1941
• 106 minutes
• Black & White
• 1.37:1
• English
• Spine #214
  
  

  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
    
    March 12, 2024

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

See on Amazon

 

[Charles Smith]

Damn it, fooled me again.

(I always fail to immediately recognize this or any other title except The Devil and Daniel Webster.)

Anyway, great news. I watched the Criterion DVD recently, and I really hope to see and hear a HUGE difference in quality.

 

[Alan Tully]

Ooo, about time. I won't beat about the bush: it's a masterpiece!

 

[Robert Harris]

There IS a huge difference. New restoration from Scott MacQueen and UCLA. It's a beautiful disc!

What becomes evident, especially with far better audio is that the RKO studio style added quite a bit to Kane and Ambersons.

 

[Craig Beam]

My good friend Bill Huelbig has already preordered this for me as an early birthday present. I first saw it on VHS thanks to him... gosh, I guess it's been 30 years ago now. A wonderful film.

And that cover is breathtaking!

 

[Into The Archives]

There IS a huge difference. New restoration from Scott MacQueen and UCLA. It's a beautiful disc!

What becomes evident, especially with far better audio is that the RKO studio style added quite a bit to Kane and Ambersons.

I second this! A beautiful restoration that I caught at MoMA in January, and it never looked or sounded better!

 

[Rodney]

Of course they announce this. After waiting a few years, this last BN sale I purchased the DVD.
Yes, I'll be purchasing this release as well.

 

[Robert Crawford]

There IS a huge difference. New restoration from Scott MacQueen and UCLA. It's a beautiful disc!

What becomes evident, especially with far better audio is that the RKO studio style added quite a bit to Kane and Ambersons.

I've been waiting on this release ever since I heard of MacQueen's restoration. I hope one day we his restoration of "The Red House" on Blu-ray.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

One of the first Criterion laserdiscs i purchased years ago was The Devil and Daniel Webster and still have it.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Damn it, fooled me again.

(I always fail to immediately recognize this or any other title except The Devil and Daniel Webster.)

Anyway, great news. I watched the Criterion DVD recently, and I really hope to see and hear a HUGE difference in quality.

I just got tired of not having this title in my collection & it being only on dvd, so i bought, and NOW!!! Now I hear Whitesnake in my mind "Here I go again" ~ Double dipping it better be immaculate , lol!!!

 

[jayembee]

Of course they announce this. After waiting a few years, this last BN sale I purchased the DVD.
Yes, I'll be purchasing this release as well.

Thanks for taking a bullet for the team!

On edit: You, too, Todd!

 

[Garysb]

I have been waiting for this since the youtube video about it's restoration. I now know where I am going to use my $10 coupon I got for being a Criterion Channel subscriber .

 

[Charles Smith]

I like the woodcut style cover art (though I still like the color art on the DVD), even though it isn't that of the master, Fritz Eichenberg. (I was just reminded a while ago that I have an edition of the original story illustrated by him.)

 

[bujaki]

I second this! A beautiful restoration that I caught at MoMA in January, and it never looked or sounded better!

And I saw the DCP at the AFI theater in Silver Spring this past June. This is a must disc in any collection.

 

[Robert Harris]

And I saw the DCP at the AFI theater in Silver Spring this past June. This is a must disc in any collection.

The audio has depth and layers I’ve never heard before.

 

[JSLasher]

Superb Bernard Herrmann score for which he won his only Oscar.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Preorder is live. See post #2

 

[cda1143]

Preorder is live. See post #2

Not yet. “Currently unavailable“

 

[JoeDoakes]

What becomes evident, especially with far better audio is that the RKO studio style added quite a bit to Kane and Ambersons.

Mr. Harris, what exactly do you mean about the RKO style adding to Kane and Ambersons, and how does that relate to this release?