I guess even Lucifer needs a good cooling down every now and then, coming to Earth to convince housewife Patricia Barry to become his cook when he visits upstairs. Satan is played deliciously devilish by Sid Caesar, just as wonderfully as Ray Walston didn't "Damn Yankees" on Broadway and in the film version. Barry is married to Ronald Reagan, anxious to play the perfect host to whom he thinks his one of his wife's relatives. Going by the name "Nick" (as in "Alias Nick Beal"), he makes it clear who he is, and nobody seems to mind. But when he tells Reagan that he's taking his wife, Reagan agrees to make a bet with him, just like Applegate did with Joe in "Damn Yankees". "One whole week without evil", Reagan suggests as has rewarded he wins, and indeed, it's another variation of "Death takes a Holiday", even though death was not presented to be evil in that classic tale. This is played in a totally sitcomish way, with very tempted by jewels and furs and evening gowns, and even Reagan is impressed. Even though the theme, played in a comical way, is rather Eerie, there's such a lighthearted charm in it that is irresistible and Caesar seems to be having a delightful time. Like with "Damn Yankees", I find it easy to give up my misgivings of plot like this and just enjoy it for what it is. A lot of fun, and a hell of a good time!
2 Reviews
One tough customer
bkoganbing15 January 2021
In a playlet with only three cast members including host Ronald Reagan, General
Electric Theater had one of its best and funniest episodes. The rest of the cast
includes Patricia Barry and television comic legend Sid Caesar.
Caesar is an emissary from Old Scratch himself and he's trying to close a deal with Barry for her soul. He offers her all kinds of things that the ordinary mortal would have given in for. But all she doe is smile sweetly and tell Caesar how happy she is married to good old Ronnie.
Of course there is a reason she won't give in to whatever kind of pitch Caesar uses. Let's just say he was very outclassed
Great ensemble performance by the three cast members.
Caesar is an emissary from Old Scratch himself and he's trying to close a deal with Barry for her soul. He offers her all kinds of things that the ordinary mortal would have given in for. But all she doe is smile sweetly and tell Caesar how happy she is married to good old Ronnie.
Of course there is a reason she won't give in to whatever kind of pitch Caesar uses. Let's just say he was very outclassed
Great ensemble performance by the three cast members.
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