‘ Half man, half beast, he sold his soul for passion!’
Devil’s Partner is a 1961 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…
Devil’s Partner was 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.
Buy Blu-ray from Amazon.com
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 specs:
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.”
Trailer [1080p]:
Blu-ray trailer:
Free to watch online in 4K:
Free to watch online in 1080p HD:
Discover more from MOVIES & MANIA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
