The actual story itself is not especially innovative -- the devil tries to corrupt a goody-goody straight-arrow architect. You've seen it before in numerous variations. But the touches of light humour make "Mr. Lucifer" an agreeable viewing experience.
In particular, Fred Astaire has a fine time playing Mr. Lucifer and his earthly alter egos: a klutzy train passenger, a bellowing Texas oil investor, a comic Italian plumber, a suave bartender, and an eccentric French yacht enthusiast. He's delightful in all his incarnations. Elizabeth Montgomery as impish moon goddess Hecate is equally delightful in her various guises, including a sultry secretary, a brainy Radcliffe grad, and a bikini-clad French sexpot -- all out to seduce our hero.
Debits: the two lead performances (and some fine work by Joyce Bulifant, George Petrie and Hal Smith in smaller supporting roles) overwhelm Frank Aletter, who barely registers in the central role of the architect whose soul is being battled for. And the 'twist' ending is a bit of a prosaic letdown. But it's really Lucifer's story anyway, so these are comparatively minor flaws.
Bottom line? If you're a fan of Astaire and/or Montgomery, "Mr. Lucifer" is a fun fifty-minute romp that's worth checking out. It isn't -- and wasn't intended to be -- their definitive work, but it DOES give both actors a chance to show some good comic range and an awful lot of charm. Approach it in that spirit, and enjoy!
In particular, Fred Astaire has a fine time playing Mr. Lucifer and his earthly alter egos: a klutzy train passenger, a bellowing Texas oil investor, a comic Italian plumber, a suave bartender, and an eccentric French yacht enthusiast. He's delightful in all his incarnations. Elizabeth Montgomery as impish moon goddess Hecate is equally delightful in her various guises, including a sultry secretary, a brainy Radcliffe grad, and a bikini-clad French sexpot -- all out to seduce our hero.
Debits: the two lead performances (and some fine work by Joyce Bulifant, George Petrie and Hal Smith in smaller supporting roles) overwhelm Frank Aletter, who barely registers in the central role of the architect whose soul is being battled for. And the 'twist' ending is a bit of a prosaic letdown. But it's really Lucifer's story anyway, so these are comparatively minor flaws.
Bottom line? If you're a fan of Astaire and/or Montgomery, "Mr. Lucifer" is a fun fifty-minute romp that's worth checking out. It isn't -- and wasn't intended to be -- their definitive work, but it DOES give both actors a chance to show some good comic range and an awful lot of charm. Approach it in that spirit, and enjoy!
