The Devil and Miss Jones
The Devil and Miss Jones

Movie spotlight

The Devil and Miss Jones

1941
Movie
92 min
English

The wealthiest man in the world, John P. Merrick, is a private person who likes to stay anonymous. One of his many assets is Neeley's Department Store. There is labor unrest at the store, and the employees' anger is directed at him, who they hang in effigy outside the store despite not knowing what he looks like. Merrick, not happy at what he sees going on, decides to mete out the rabble-rousers. So he goes undercover as a sales clerk in the shoe department.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Director: Sam WoodGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A wealthy, misanthropic landlord, John P. Merrick, buys the apartment building where he lives under a false name and fires his tenants for forming a union. Disguised as a janitor, he takes a job in his own building to investigate the "troublemakers" and meets Mary Jones, a crusading clerk. He finds himself falling for her and questioning his own harsh business practices.

Critical Reception

The Devil and Miss Jones was a critical and commercial success, praised for its witty script, strong performances, and timely social commentary on labor relations and wealth inequality. It resonated with audiences for its blend of humor and heart, becoming a beloved holiday film.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intelligent and witty script that balances comedy with social commentary.

  • Lauded for strong performances, particularly Charles Coburn as the gruff but ultimately softened landlord.

  • Appreciated for its heartwarming story and optimistic outlook on class reconciliation.

Google audience: N/A

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor (Charles Coburn) and Best Original Screenplay.

Fun Fact

Charles Coburn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role, making him the oldest recipient of the award at the time, at age 64.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

Community Critic Reviews

No critic reviews have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

My Review

TMDB Reviews

No TMDB reviews are available yet for this title.

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this title yet.