Shortcut to Happiness (2003)

A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune.

Director:

Alec Baldwin (as Harry Kirkpatrick)

Writers:

Stephen Vincent Benet (story "The Devil and Daniel Webster"), Archibald Macleish (play)

Stars:

Virl Andrick, Ray Aranha, Kaniel Arocho

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Virl Andrick	...	Dick
Ray Aranha	...	Mailman
Kaniel Arocho	...	Skateboard Kid #1
Jorge Arocho	...	Skateboard Kid #2
Mary Ashton	...	Production Assistant
Howard Atlee	...	Award Audience Man
Dan Aykroyd	...	Julius Jensen
Alec Baldwin	...	Jabez Stone
Gregg Bello	...	Rick Fusco
Bobby Cannavale	...	Cop
Jann Carl	...	Herself
Kim Cattrall	...	Constance Hurry
Antoni Cornacchione	...	Security Guard
Bill Corsair	...	Aging Writer
Grenville Cuyler	...	Taxi Hailer

Storyline

In Manhattan, the aspirant writer Jabez Stone is a complete loser: he is not able to sell his novels, he lives in a lousy apartment and he does not have success with women. When one of his friends Julius Jenson sells his novel for US$ 190,000.00 to an editor, Jabez fells envy and promises to sell his soul to the devil for success and accidentally kills a woman with his typing machine. The Devil knocks on his door, fixes the situation and seals a contract with Jabez. His low quality novels have bad reviews but become best-sellers; Jabez enriches; has success with women, but has no time for his friends. Jabez meets with the publisher Daniel Webster who offers him a chance to break the contract with the devil.

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Plot Keywords:

devil | writer | fortune | fame | new york city | 

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Taglines:

the devil is in the details.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Yari Film Group [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 2007 (Kazakhstan)

Also Known As:

Shortcut to Happiness

Filming Locations:

Bethpage, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yari Film Group (YFG),Cutting Edge Entertainment,El Dorado Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming was completed in 2001, but the movie was shelved for two years, due to lack of funds to complete post-production. However, My Own Worst Enemy Productions acquired the rights to the title and it was released in 2003.

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Goofs

When buying the house, Jabez Stone sees the Devil on the beach. He runs to her with his shirt's collar over his jacket. But when he is there and talks to the Devil the collar is carefully tucked under.

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Quotes

Aging Writer: Ah, the great Daniel Webster!
Daniel Webster: The drunk Mr. Hardy.
Aging Writer: Better drunk than a whore, I always say.
Daniel Webster: Better neither than both.

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Connections

Version of Sunday Showcase: The Devil and Daniel Webster (1960)

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Soundtracks

Hoopin'
Written and Performed by Larry Brown (as Lawrence H. Brown)
Courtesy of 440 Incorporated

User Reviews

Not so bad but... not so good.

I saw this movie because of Jennifer Love Hewitt (she's so cute!), but, well, maybe i shouldn't have. It isn't exactly boring, but it isn't interesting neither.

It's not the worst movie ever, it has some great ideas but they're not as exploited as they could have been, the acting is decent (except for Alec Baldwin who just overdoes it).

If you don't have anything better to do (or to watch), well, it will keep you busy for an hour and a half... But maybe you'd better check Bedazzled out, it's way more funny than Shortcut to Happiness ! (PS: Sorry if I made some syntax or spelling mistakes, i'm french)