MovieChat Forums > All That Money Can Buy (1941) Discussion > Creepiest Moment?

Creepiest Moment?

posted 16 years ago by SteveM-1
16 replies | jump to latest

When I first saw this movie on TV some time ago, I was surprised that for a 1941 movie, this film had some genuinely creepy moments. Most "horror" or "suspense" films of the decade, although entertaining, don't really scare or make your skin crawl. This one does.

I think probably the creepiest moment was during the Party at Jabez Stone's mansion. Miser Stevens' exchange with Jabez, the silent party guests, the dance, Belle's final madcap dance with Miser Stevens and the Devil revealing Miser Stevens' soul as a small moth while Stevens lay lifeless on the Ballroom floor were all perfect images. The whole sequence really let the audience know who Jabez Stone was really dealing with.

Runner up would have to be the Trial. The Jury of the Damned had most of the silence and menace of the Dinner Party, but by this time, we were familiar with how the "people from the other side of the Mountain" acted.

This film was a masterpiece and will most likely never be duplicated.

[–] Tjcat 15 years ago

I agree with SteveM-1 that this film is a masterpiece
and most likely will never be duplicated.

As for "favorite" scary scenes:

The "troubled" moaning and rustling of the animals
in the barn are an indication of the evil which has just entered their realm.
Shortly thereafter Mr. Scratch appears to Jabez for the first time.

Jabez hurls the hatchet at Mr. Scratch and it bursts into
flames and disappears.

Jabez, realizing the dreadful contract he has made,
frantically attempts to chop down the "contract" tree.

[–] frog-34 15 years ago

Mr. Scratch playing "Pop Goes the Weasel" on the violin at the barn dance. It sounds silly to say, sure, but it's very, very creepy in the movie.

JEB BUSH IN '012 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] user-153 15 years ago

It has to be the closing sequence, my favorite from any film, when Scratch is wondering who he'll damn next. Perfect casting.

[–] gerald-flynn 15 years ago

The frenzied dance between Miser Stevens and Belle has got to be the scariest scene. It is so unusually stylized for that era. This film shows what an incredibly great actor Edward Arnold was. I don't think Arnold even rated, a nomination for his entire career. Maybe because he was so good, so natural that nobdy noticed how great he was. Walter Huston stands as one of the greatest character actors of all time. Simone Simon was about as sexy as the censorship of the time would allow. Bernard Hermann's score was also brilliant. And while I'm at it, one more thing. The black-and-white cinematography was also perfect. The subtle use of lighting and shadows set the somber and ominous mood so well.

[–] borg1005 15 years ago

"It has to be the closing sequence, my favorite from any film, when Scratch is wondering who he'll damn next."

Some years ago I read a review of the movie and it was reported that when the Devil looked and pointed directly at the camera, it cleared the first 10 rows in the movie house. This was in West Virginia. :-)

I've watched this movie many times, mainly to catch Houston's performance, especially his expressive face but, also to hear Arnold's defense near the end.

I particularly liked the old-time American sectionalism, as in "I never thought I'd hear that from a New Hampshire man." The tone throughout was a great pride in America.

[–] nateba 13 years ago

One of my faves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzXrusywFM8

According to the commentary on (I think it was) the Criterion edition, someone showed this scene to Jascha Heifetz who declared that it was impossible for a single violin to play that. He was right. Multiple recordings were layered on top of each other to create the effect.

cinefreak

[–] Musidora-4 15 years ago

For me, it has to be the part when Belle is lullabying the baby, Daniel, by the fire--the look on the baby's face is priceless! He really looks terrified of her.

[–] oneway 15 years ago

That baby looks terrified for a good reason.....

Belle is singing to the baby in French. Here are the lyrics:

"Ah, sleep my child
Dream of deep lakes
Satan is your father
and all hell is your world
Dream, child, dream"

[–] Molly-31 15 years ago

That is just exactly what I wanted to find out -- what she was saying. I usually understand French fairly well but I couldn't understand what she was saying. That song has haunted me for years.

I'm all right, I'm alllll right!

[–] cajundancr 14 years ago

Thanks for this...I agree the lullaby is the creepiest scene, and I'd wondered just what she was crooning.

[–] deering24 14 years ago

I came in on the middle of this on TCM, and thought it was an original way-creepy TWILIGHT ZONE episode I'd never seen (until I checked the TV guide--:).)) I was surprised at how unnerving parts of this were--just like a good TZ ep. The only thing I was wondering was why on earth Mrs. Stone put up with (Jez) Belle essentially taking her place?

[–] omari322 15 years ago

My creepiest moment and the one I think was technically stunning was how the judge approached the bench. I had to rewind to make sure it wasn't a shadow gliding so menacingly yet gracefully and then when the lighting changed and it revealed a man sent a little shudder down my spine.

'Cause I'm Black you think I did it?

[–] Steve_2 15 years ago

I agree, it was surprisingly creepy for an older, non-horror film. The part where he looks out the window of the mansion at all the "guests" (damned souls?) was somehow disturbing to me.

Would John Wayne be having this conversation?

[–] littlebeastie 15 years ago

For me it would have to be the faces in the window of Jabez's new home. How creepy to look out the window to look for your guests, and to see faces looking back at you...

"Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity."

[–] chrismartonuk-1 14 years ago

Waler Huston's smile at the end out-creeps Anthony Perkins in Psycho. Also, it's faintly disturbing that it's never explained what happened to Jabez's original maid when Belle suddenly turns up.

[–] lucymachado-1 14 years ago

I agree that there are quite a few creepy moments in this film, which is probably one of the reasons why it remains so attractive to me. From time to time, something reminds me of it and I just have to give it another watch!
One of my top 5 faves.

Along with all the creepy scenes mentioned, one I particularly love is the scene when Daniel Webster is writing his speech and the shadow of Scratch is whispering in his ear, saying he will never be president if he writes that speech. Daniel Webster shouts, "BE STILL!". I get goosebumps everytime! Another great scene is when Jabez says "If this ain't enough to make a man sell his soul to the devil, and I would, for about 2 cents!" and he reaches into his pocket to find 2 cents there. Looooove it!

Amazing, fantastic, unforgetable and very creepy movie.

Let's be merry while we may, innocent and happy Fay! Elves were made for gladness! - Lewis Carroll