The Devil and Max Devlin

"A new high in being lowdown."

1981 1h 36m EN

😐

5.8

MID

★5.8TMDB · 41

FantasyComedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

When Max dies in an accident, he goes straight to Hell. But the Devil Barney makes him an offer: if he manages to get three innocent youths to sell him their souls in the next two months, he may stay on Earth. Max accepts, and returns to Earth, equipped with special powers. However, his task is harder than expected, especially when seven year old Tobi demands that he marry his mother.

“A new high in being lowdown.”

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Cast

Elliott Gould
Max Devlin
Bill Cosby
Barney Satin
Susan Anspach
Penny Hart
Adam Rich
Toby Hart
Julie Budd
Stella Summers
Sonny Shroyer
Big Billy Hunniker
David Knell
Nerve Nordlinger
Chuck Shamata
Jerry Nadler

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Steven Hilliard Stern
Writers: Mary Rodgers, Mary Rodgers, Jimmy Sangster
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

45 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, shot by Howard Schwartz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Buddy Baker. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Ray de Leuw shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Elliott Gould and Bill Cosby and Susan Anspach carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A new high in being lowdown.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0082263 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Steven Hilliard Stern directs. Howard Schwartz behind the camera. Buddy Baker scores. Ray de Leuw cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

145 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, shot by Howard Schwartz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Buddy Baker. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Ray de Leuw shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Elliott Gould and Bill Cosby and Susan Anspach carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "A new high in being lowdown.".
8IMDB entry: tt0082263 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 41 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Howard Schwartz
Original score: Buddy Baker
Editing: Ray de Leuw
Runtime: 96 min · 1h 36m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Box office: $16,000,000
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)

Also by

Steven Hilliard Stern

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Community reviews

What people are saying

talisencrw2016-07-31
★ 6/10
With Bill Cosby's life and career in tatters these days with a myriad of past date-rape accusations against the actor/comedian, I have been intrigued to investigate both his earlier filmic oddities and the comedic albums of his stand-up routines from years gone by. This was a decent, Disney (to add a touch of irony) comedy just before he was going to hit a purple patch in his life with the mega-success of 'The Cosby Show'. I wish when I came across them in a London music store a few years back, that I had pulled the trigger and bought a pair of jazz albums he had made with Quincy Jones. I have a feeling they would have proved a lot more interesting than this was.
r96sk2020-09-13
★ 8/10
I'd recommend <em>'The Devil and Max Devlin'</em>. Of course it is slightly hampered by the fact it's a Disney film, but I feel it manages to leave a mark in what it does tackle in regards to the premise. I felt attached to the dilemma that Max (Elliott Gould) faces, despite it being a fairly predictable situation. Gould is good in the lead role. He is joined by, um, Bill Cosby, who suitably plays a character from the less appealing afterlife. Julie Budd (Stella) is the best of the rest, especially when it comes to the music; she's got a great voice. Disney's best film up until this point of the 1980s, which they begin poorly. Happy with this one though, I like it.