Devil’s Partner is being released on Blu-ray and DVD newly restored by vintage film restoration and distribution company Film Masters as part of its tribute to Roger Corman, with the third instalment of The Filmgroup series available on January 16, 2024. The movie is double-billed with Creature from the Haunted Sea which it was often seen with at drive-ins.
Special Features: Commentary for The Devil’s Partner by Larry Strothe, James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan and Matt Weinhold of the Monster Party podcast; Theatrical-length commentary for Creature From the Haunted Sea by fan favourite Tom Weaver, with contributions from Roger Corman, Kinta Zertuche and Larry Blamire. Weaver also provides the liner notes for the film. Ballyhoo Motion Pictures contributes Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with Part III of the story, as well as their new interview with Roger Corman on the formation of The Filmgroup; recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers; original Creature From the Haunted Sea theatrical trailer (from 16mm archival elements scanned in 4k); and a full essay for The Devil’s Partner by author Mark McGee.
Both films are presented with a theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, as well as in a 1.37:1 television format. The televised version of Creature From the Haunted Sea includes an additional 15 minutes of footage shot years later to extend the film for sale to Allied Artists. Discs are region-free and include English SDH. Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.
Here’s our previous coverage of the movie:
‘ Half man, half beast, he sold his soul for passion!’
Devil’s Partner is a 1961 American supernatural horror film about an old man who sells his soul to the devil. The movie was promoted as The Devil’s Partner
Directed by Charles R. Rondeau (The Munsters) from a screenplay written by Stanley Clements (actor in Spook Chasers; Ghosts on the Loose) and Laura Jean Mathews.
The Huron Productions movie stars Ed Nelson (The Boneyard; A Bucket of Blood; The Brain Eaters), Edgar Buchanan, Jean Allison and Richard Crane.
Plot:
An old man sells his soul to the devil, dies and returns as a good-looking young man. He then uses witchcraft and black magic to win a woman from his rival…
Reviews:
“It’s watchable enough, but the plot is poorly thought out. The death of the old man who drinks the goat’s milk serves no purpose whatsoever, and the wino character is nothing but a badly contrived plot device to pass on crucial information to the sheriff.” Dave Sindelar, Fantastic Musings and Ramblings
” …competently directed and occasionally chilling. Nelson, who played dozens of heavies in episodic guest shots, is convincingly menacing and friendly, whichever the scene calls for. He got a nice “And Introducing” credit, even though he had already acted in several films, some for Roger Corman…” Johnny LaRue’s Crane Shot
“At just over seventy-minutes, the movie has enough atmosphere and some truly creepy ritual sequences to make it watchable. The cast is dull, with the exception of Ed Nelson as the reincarnated younger man, who is able to achieve a balance of creepiness and attractive suavity.” Teenage Frankenstein
“Technically it is a horror film, but it lacks the fright needed to really be scary in any manner. At best, it is a little creepy at times, but in no way does the lack of scares hamper the movie in any way. A good film, Devil’s Partner is worth seeking out.” The Telltale Mind
“Director Charles R. Rondeau was a TV vet (Adam-12, One Step Beyond, The Partridge Family, etc.) and most of the cast were well-travelled small screen players, so it’s not surprising that the movie plays like an extended length episode of The Twilight Zone. The acting is pretty good and Rondeau does a fine job a capturing the hot, dusty atmosphere of Furnace Flats.” Erik S., Watching Horror
Full film – free to watch online in 1080p HD:
Cast and characters:
Edgar Buchanan … Doc Lucas
Jean Allison … Nell Lucas
Richard Crane … David Simpson
Spencer Carlisle … Sheriff Tom Fuller
Byron Foulger … Papers
Claire Carleton … Ida
Brian O’Hara … Harry Matthews
Harry Fleer … John Winters
Joe Hooker … Deputy Joe
Ed Nelson … Nick Richards/Pete Jensen
Riley Hill … Frank
Hugh Hooker … Mr Johnson
Technical details:
1 hour 13 minutes
Audio: Mono
Black and white
Aspect ratio: 1.37: 1
Reissue title:
Enter the Devil
Production notes:
The American Film Catalog states: “Principal photography for The Devil’s Partner was scheduled to begin at Kling Studios (formerly Chaplin Studios) the week of 29 Sep 1958, as noted in the 26 Sep 1958 DV. The production company was identified as H & R Productions, a partnership between producer Hugh M. Hooker and director Charles R. Rondeau. The film was produced independently, without a distribution company attached. A 22 Oct 1958 DV news item announced that shooting had ended and editing was underway.
Several months later, the 24 Apr 1959 Los Angeles Times announced that Charles R. Rondeau was being sued for divorce by his wife, Marlys E. Rondeau, who sought interest in the film as part of her divorce settlement. Distribution rights were later sold to Roger Corman’s Filmgroup, Inc., as indicated in a 25 May 1960 DV brief, which listed a scheduled theatrical release date of Aug 1960. However, plans to debut the picture were delayed until Apr 1961, according to the 8 Feb 1961 DV. The first release to be reported in Var took place the week of 27 Jun 1961 at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, MO. A Cincinnati, OH, opening followed in Oct 1961. The picture finally debuted in Los Angeles, CA, in late Jul 1962.”
MOVIES & MANIA provides previews, our own film reviews and ratings, plus links to other online reviews from a wide variety of trusted sources in one handy web location. This is a genuinely independent website and we rely solely on the minor income generated by internet ads to pay for web costs and cover yet more movies. Please support us by not blocking ads. Thank you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a very tiny amount from any qualifying purchases.