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This devilish “comedy” may be the darkest movie in Disney history

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This devilish "comedy" may be the darkest movie in Disney history

As a child of the 80s who grew up watching Disney movies and idolizing Bill Cosby as Fat Albert and Jell-O Pudding Pop pitchman, I must say that ‘The Devil and Max Devlin’ was a strange and unsettling experience even for my young mind.

With the spooky vibes of Halloween creeping up, I can’t help but reflect on the Disney movie that, in terms of its haunting narrative and its leading character, might just hold the title for the darkest tale ever spun by this beloved studio!

Disney has had a knack for exploring darker themes since the introduction of the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Given their reputation as a “family-oriented” company, it might surprise you to know they’ve delved deeply into horror-themed narratives. This was particularly evident during the late 1970s/early-80s when the company was actively seeking new audiences and moving beyond their traditional image.

Back in the day, I stumbled upon some pretty grim titles that Disney put out – movies like “The Watcher in the Woods”, “The Black Hole”, and “Something Wicked This Way Comes”. But there was one flick that left me utterly astonished, a film I can’t believe Disney ever made with its ominous undertones. Over time, it’s only grown darker, with shadows that the company could hardly have foreseen.

The Devil and Max Devlin.

In the past, this 1981 movie had been overlooked for some time, but recently, it has regained interest, partly thanks to one of its main actors. It’s astonishing to reflect on the fact that among all studios, Disney was the one responsible for producing a film that seemed so distant from their usual image.

The Devil in the lead

As a gamer, I can’t ignore the obvious elephant in the room when talking about this movie. Over time, we’ve come to see Bill Cosby as a subject of ridicule, but let’s not forget his immense popularity back then. In fact, when presenting the 1987 screening of The Wonderful World of Disney, Michael Eisner referred to Cosby as “America’s most cherished TV star,” and he wasn’t wrong.

From the realm of stand-up comedy, I found my stride and left an indelible mark on audiences everywhere with my role in the groundbreaking spy drama, “I Spy.” This success paved the way for numerous film projects and the creation of the beloved animated series “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.” Additionally, I graced many popular talk shows as a guest.

In 1984, Bill Cosby reached the pinnacle of his popularity with “The Cosby Show” being one of the most successful comedic TV series at that time. He continued to maintain this success with subsequent shows like “Cosby,” consistently regarded as one of the wittiest and most endearing figures in Hollywood.

In essence, few could have foreseen the monstrous side of Bill Cosby hidden beneath his cheerful facade. When the truth about his heinous actions emerged in 2014, it was a profound shock even for those who knew about Cosby’s alleged misconduct with women; they found it hard to believe he would stoop so low. This revelation has significantly altered public perception of him and makes it more challenging to evaluate his previous works objectively.

What made “The Devil and Max Devlin” intriguing back in 1981 was the bold and innovative notion of casting Bill Cosby as a demon. Nowadays, it’s almost tempting to make light of the possibility that the casting director had some foresight into Cosby’s future connection to this role.

Regardless of who played the part, this film still manages to surprise with its profound darkness in numerous aspects.

What makes Max Devlin so dark

In this movie, Elliot Gould takes on the lead character, a ruthless slumlord who skims on expenses and is excessively greedy. Fleeing from enraged tenants, Max gets hit by a bus and ends up in Hell. A striking scene shows him descending while souls scream and plunge into a fiery chasm below. Yes, this Disney film has an unconventional twist.

In this scenario, Max encounters a sinister council, where Cosby assumes the role of Barney, the ‘souls manager’. When Max objects, saying it’s unfair, Barney responds, “Have you forgotten where you are?” The council then proposes a deal: They will resurrect Max, but on condition that he manages to convince three innocent souls to surrender their souls to him. Upon offering his friends as substitutes, they reject the idea, stating, “We’ll get those individuals anyway.” Instead, they demand that Max deceives three innocent youngsters into giving away their souls.

Initially, the storyline was designed for the iconic British Hammer horror studios, starring Vincent Price as a character harvesting children’s souls. The tone is quite grim due to this origin. However, it’s puzzling how it landed at Disney’s desk, and it’s regrettable that they couldn’t persuade Price to play the role of Barney instead.

In a fresh turn of events, Max regains consciousness without the ability to see his own reflection, while Barney continues to be present but only visible and audible to Max. Now, we witness Max in an unusual role as he attempts to persuade three unsuspecting young individuals to forfeit their souls and send them to Hell, all in a bid to prolong his own life. Our protagonist, indeed!

Max swiftly works towards transforming Stella into a renowned singer, turning Nelson into a skilled motocross racer, and for young Toby, who is concerned about his mother Penny’s happiness, holds off on signing the contract until Max marries her (with Cosby showing a touch of respect as he acknowledges Toby “has talent”).

In due time, Max manages to secure the three signatures, which transforms the trio into obnoxious braggarts right away. However, Barney discloses that instead of granting them prosperous lives, he plans to eliminate them all on the spot to seize their souls. To add insult to injury, Barney taunts Max for thinking a devil would honor his promises.

Stricken with guilt for his past actions and now deeply in love with Penny (whom he eventually married), Max is determined to void the contracts. This scene, which might have been startling in 1981, featured Cosby donning full red makeup, complete with horns, hooves, and a pitchfork, berating Max for breaking the deal, warning him that such an action would lead to his doom. Even today, this scene is just as chilling.

In a rush, Max moves on to set fire to the contracts. Given his time was dwindling, he first sought out Nelson, but found him injured from tripping over an elderly woman’s cane and retiring from racing. Max then encounters this woman, who undeniably appears angelic, offering him a warm smile. The children have since recovered, and Stella’s parents are on their way to watch her perform. Max wishes to say farewell to Penny, but his reflection reappears instead, suggesting his spirit has been restored. The story concludes with everyone gathered to witness Stella sing, while Max gazes upwards, whispering a quiet “Thank you.

The movie is a strange ride

This film appears to be quite fragmented, as the main character, Max, frequently jumps between different storylines. Additionally, his romantic connection with Penny seems hasty and lacks a clear motivation, which gives the impression that she has an unexplained attraction towards him. Moreover, there are some peculiar scenes, such as when Max argues with Barney in the bathroom, and then another man exits a stall, observing Max conversing with nothing visible, followed by his casual comment, “We’re all in show business.

The movie has an unusual blend of tone, mixing classic Disney humor with a dark narrative. While we’re supposed to sympathize with Max as he seeks redemption, his actions suggest that he’s ready to betray the children for his own gain, only to change his mind when he learns they’ll be killed immediately. If Barney had honored the deal and allowed them to live longer, Max might have been less opposed to it. It seems clear that Max would have accepted their fate if it meant prolonging their lives.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, Cosby isn’t living up to expectations, not because of the character itself, but because he seems genuinely uninterested in this role. It’s like he can’t stand being typecast as a villain. His delivery is mostly lackluster and monotonous, until that last scene where it’s all screams and howls, way too excessive for my taste. Vincent Price would’ve brought a chilling depth to this role, while Cosby just seems miscast from the get-go.

Initially, the gritty reality portrayed by Cosby was incongruous with the movie. Even before 2014, this film was significantly darker than one might anticipate from a Disney production, due to its depictions of Hell and the narrative about corrupting souls. It simply didn’t align with the label, but in retrospect, it would have been more suitable for the Touchstone label.

Due to certain circumstances, you won’t find this movie on streaming platforms. Instead, you might need to search through vintage VHS tapes to watch it. Some people might be uneasy about watching it because of Cosby, while the storyline is too grim for many younger viewers. However, the unique blend of plot, cinematography, and the main actor makes The Devil and Max Devlin one of Disney’s darkest live-action films ever, an aspect that becomes more striking as time passes.

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2024-10-25 22:27

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