Devil's Partner

DEVIL'S PARTNER is a forgotten little American horror flick that looks and feels like a contemporary western with a few horror touches added to the mix. I'd never heard of it before I sat down to watch it, and while it's certainly no classic, it's an adequate time waster that's difficult to dislike. The film was shot by TV director Charles Rondeau who creates a cosy atmosphere despite all the supposed horror going on.

The story is about a guy who makes a Faustian pact with the devil for eternal youth. There are shades of Dorian Gray here along with all the old-time deal-with-the-devil movies of the 1940s. Unfortunately youth isn't enough for this guy and he also enlists the black arts to help bump off anyone who opposes him. There are some cheesy animal attack scenes mixed in but most of the film concentrates on the resolutely dull heroic characters trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. Again, no classic, but this is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type movie.

Enough has been said regarding the summary of this flick. Sure, the plot doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I'd even go so far as to say the the makers may have switched stories 20 minutes into filming this movie. The deal with the guy coming back and not seeming to know anyone in the town he's lived in all his life just makes me think there was another version of the story at one time... Maybe not though. Maybe the plot just wasn't thought out enough. But what the movie does have is atmosphere. From the opening shot of a sinister shadow on a decrepit shacks wall with a scared goat bleating in the background , to a faithful pet going berserk and attacking it's master this movie is creepy. All you folks who like these old spook flicks know...That's the important thing. The Alpha Video version is very cheap but is in pretty bad shape especially at the beginning of reels. Sinister Cinema has a better copy but you'll pay more for it. I'd say at the very least get the Alpha Video version. You can't go wrong spending $6.00 and getting a quality spook.

Made in 1958, but not released until 1961 (and then in a cut version), The Devil's Partner turns out to be an interesting variation on Faust, despite a number of script and story inconsistencies (and welcome plot twists from the rather bland pressbook synopsis). Helped by sympathetic acting and moody photography, director Rondeau grippingly creates a suspensefully eerie, small-town atmosphere which fully engages the attention while the film is actually unwinding. Ed Nelson does a commendable job in his dual role and is well supported all the way down the line, especially from Byron Foulger in a most unusual part as the local wino. The film also provides a rare opportunity to see the fine television player Jean Allison in a big-screen movie. Much of the film was obviously shot on actual locations. The heat-struck town of "Furnace Flats", New Mexico, seems vividly real. Photographer Edward Cronjager lends the visuals an attractive shine and, aside from one or two lapses, the make-up and special effects are generally convincing. And by the humble standards of the independent "B", production values are fairly impressive.

"An old hermit makes a pact with the Devil and, in exchange for his obedience, is given restored youth and vitality. He returns to his hometown, after assuming the identity of his own nephew, and takes up residence in his former home. He begins a campaign of terror against those he feels will oppose him and sets his sights on a beautiful girl, causing harm and hardship to her fiancé in order to win her over," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.

"Devil's Partner" is a difficult feature to enjoy; a thriller with no frills (or thrills), it might have been made for drive-ins and Saturdays. Ed Nelson is "introduced" as the star, and he seems to have what it takes for the big screen - but, this slightly Faustian story was no career helper. Instead, Mr. Nelson successfully moved into television's "Peyton Place". Co-stars, like "Petticoat Junction" resident Edgar Buchanan (as Doc Lucas), were also familiar TV faces.

** Devil's Partner (1962) Charles R. Rondeau ~ Ed Nelson, Edgar Buchanan, Jean Allison

In a small rural town an unpopular old hermit sells his soul to the devil. He dies and his mysterious nephew subsequently turns up. A string of bad events follow in his wake.

This low-budget occult horror film is pretty decent considering its obvious lack of resources. It has a fairly by-the-numbers set-up but it maintains the interest just the same. Ed Nelson, who plays the evil nephew, is good and certainly looks the part. Interestingly, he uses animals to do his evil bidding - sometimes, possessing them, other times shape-shifting into them. This includes a dog, a horse and a snake. The scene with the horse is the best one in the film. In it, a wino is chased in the moonlight by a black stallion, which catches up with him and tramples him to death.

The movie on the whole is well handled and should please those with a taste for old cheap black and white horror flicks. Although a word of warning – don't be fooled by the cover art that is often used. It has a scantily clad woman riding a centaur…sadly, there's none of this to be seen anywhere.