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.

"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

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.

Don't get too attached to the idea presented by the movie poster or the film box cover for this movie - there is no beautiful naked woman bareback-riding a wild centaur anywhere to be found. Sorry. But despite this fact, The Devils Partner is not a terrible film. It makes up for in mood and performances what it lacks in the style that a bigger budget might have given it. A nasty, hairy, smelly old hermit sacrifices a goat in his dingy shack and is given a new life by the Devil Himself...or at least I'm assuming it was the Devil. You only get to see a burned black hand co-signing a contract that our hermit has already signed with the blood of the poor, aforementioned goat. Anyway, the hermit - minus about 40 years and having benefited from a recent flea bath - waltzes into our story which takes place in a heat blasted desert town. Mr. Brand New SatanicPants never breaks a sweat, strolling cool as ice cream into the lives of Nell and her boyfriend and causing major problems for both of them before he can be dispatched. True enough, this is a low budget extravaganza, but it makes the best with what it has to work with. The performances are sincere, the mood is spooky and the plot is actually rather original and benefits from some light yet surprising touches of perversion and sadism. Filmed in black and white and totally devoid of gore, The Devils Partner still manages to be disturbing, especially when you take into consideration the year in which it was made. Harmless entertainment, and not a total waste of an hour and a half or so.

The phrase Don't judge a book by its cover certainly applies to this movie. The cover of the DVD shows a naked woman riding a centaur, in a storm, through a cemetery. Forget all of that. You won't see it. It doesn't exist in this movie. It has nothing to do with the movie. The movie is actually very tame. My copy of 'The Devil's Partner' is by Alpha Video. There are some problems with the actual quality of the film. This is primarily in the beginning of the movie. For me, it wasn't bad enough to be a major problem and I quickly forgot about it. With that being said, I really liked the movie and enjoyed it more than I expected. It's an old B movie, and it does have some problems with the plot, but the acting is pretty good and it is an enjoyable, entertaining film. In my opinion 'The Devil's Partner' is an average 1950s B horror movie, is under rated, and is worth viewing.