The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)

Director:

Steven Hilliard Stern

Writers:

Mary Rodgers (story) and
Jimmy Sangster (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

6 March 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

A new high in being lowdown.

Plot:

When Max dies in an accident, he goes straight to hell. But the devil Barney makes him an offer: if...

Plot Keywords:

Soul | Hell | Devil | The Devil | Invisibility

Cast

Elliott Gould	...	Max Devlin
Bill Cosby	...	Barney Satin
Susan Anspach	...	Penny Hart
Adam Rich	...	Toby Hart
Julie Budd	...	Stella Summers
Sonny Shroyer	...	Big Billy Hunniker
David Knell	...	Nerve Nordlinger
Chuck Shamata	...	Jerry Nadler
Deborah Baltzell	...	Heidi
Ronnie Schell	...	Greg Weems
Jeannie Wilson	...	Laverne Hunniker
Stanley Brock	...	The Counterman
Ted Zeigler	...	Mr. Billings
Vic Dunlop	...	Brian
Reggie Nalder	...	Chairman of Devil's Council
Lillian Müller	...	Veronica (Devil Council)
Julie Parrish	...	Sheila
Sally Marr	...	Mrs. Gromlev
Stu Gilliam	...	Orderly #1
Denise DuBarry	...	Stella's Secretary
Helene Winston	...	Agent Hargraves
Susan Tolsky	...	Nerve's Mom
Vernon Weddle	...	Justice of the Peace
Ernest Harada	...	Motorcycle Scout #1
Bill Saito	...	Motorcycle Scout #2
Gustaf Unger	...	Gregory (Devil Council)
Bertil Unger	...	Julian (Devil Council)
Joseph Burke	...	Steven (Devil Council)
Tak Kubota	...	Bruce (Devil Council)
Army Archerd	...	Himself
Ruth Manning	...	Mrs. Davis
Adam Farrar	...	Kid at Carnival (as Adam Starr)
Chip Courtland	...	Jock #1
Rene Lamart	...	Jock #2
Mark Andrews	...	Jock #3
Teri Landrum	...	Susie
Tracie Savage	...	Pammy
Nancy Bond	...	Mrs. Minushkin
Sheila Rogers	...	Mrs. Pepper
Robert Barron	...	Mr. Pepper
Peter Renaday	...	Studio Engineer (as Pete Renaday)
Albert Able	...	M.C. Announcer
Roger Price	...	Old Man
Robert S. Telford	...	Camper Owner
Wally K. Berns	...	Fan at Party
Mindy Sterling	...	Fan #1 at Grammy's
Richard Lasting	...	Fan #2 at Grammy's
Richard Crystal	...	Award Presenter
Steve Eastin	...	Larry Binder
James Almanzar	...	Ticket Taker
Nick Angotti	...	TV Reporter
Jackie Russell	...	Carnival Kid's Mom
Gary Morgan	...	Record Store D.J.
Ted Noose	...	Officer
Jan Jorden	...	Woman in Lounge
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Madelyn Cates	...	Mrs. Trent
Jackson Bostwick	...	Additional Voices (uncredited)
Bartine Burkett	...	An Angel (uncredited)
Sean Kane	...	Kid in playground (uncredited)

Directed by
Steven Hilliard Stern

Writing credits
Mary Rodgers		(story) and
Jimmy Sangster		(story)
Mary Rodgers

Produced by
Jerome Courtland	....	producer
Ron Miller	....	executive producer
Steven Hilliard Stern	....	producer

Original Music by
Buddy Baker

Cinematography by
Howard Schwartz

Film Editing by
Ray de Leuw		(as Raymond A. de Leuw)

Art Direction by
Leon Harris		(as Leon R. Harris)
John B. Mansbridge

Set Decoration by
Norman Rockett
Roger M. Shook

Costume Design by
Bill Thomas

Makeup Department
Gloria Montemayor	....	hair stylist
Robert J. Schiffer	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
John D. Bloss	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Christopher Disney Miller	....	assistant director
Stephen McEveety	....	assistant director
Irby Smith	....	assistant director

Art Department
David Mattingly	....	matte artist

Sound Department
Willie D. Burton	....	sound mixer
Willie D. Burton	....	sound recordist
Ben Hendricks	....	sound editor
Allen Hurd	....	sound
Marvin E. Lewis	....	boom operator
Herb Taylor	....	sound supervisor

Special Effects by
Art Cruickshank	....	special effects
Gary D'Amico	....	special effects
Danny Lee	....	special effects
Mike Reedy	....	special effects technician
Ken Speed	....	special effects
Hans Metz	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Sam Nicholson	....	visual effects supervisor

Stunts
Tom Elliott	....	stunt coordinator
Richard Epper	....	stunt double
Alan Gibbs	....	stunt coordinator
Gary Hymes	....	stunt performer
Steve Walters	....	stunt performer

Casting Department
Tina Real	....	extras casting: local

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jack Sandeen	....	costume supervisor

Other crew
James Tadevic	....	location manager

Production Companies

• Walt Disney Productions

Distributors

• Buena Vista Distribution Company (1981) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1987) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (USA) (DVD)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

During the UK 'video nasty' scare of the 1980's anti-censorship journalist Liam T. Sanford wrote a false letter petitioning against this film to the Police Watch Committee, claiming the movie to be 'sick and horrific', in an attempt to discredit local police forces and expose their lack of film knowledge. Sure enough the film was briefly seized by officers from video retailers before being hastily returned to the shelves.

Soundtrack:

Roses And Rainbows

Sweet and charming

I remember seeing this movie as a kid and loving it. Recently, I watched again as an adult and found it to still be a sweet, charming little movie. The basic plot has Elliot Gould's character signing a pact with the Devil (Bill Cosby)to recruit three good souls and thus saving his own from eternal damnation. Gould gets three young people including an aspiring young singer (Julie Budd)and a fatherless young boy (Adam Rich), to sign a contract with the devil in exchange for making their dreams come true while on Earth. It all works out happily as all Disney films do, but there are several laughs, touching moments, and lesson learned along the way. I was really intrigued by Julie Budd after this film who more than resembled a young Barbra Streisand in both looks and talent. Loved the song that she sang in the film "Any Fool Can See." I wonder what happened to her after this film. Seems she never worked again.