The great screen comedienne Jean Arthur was enjoying a durable hot streak when The Devil and Miss Jones was released by RKO in 1941 (her previous films included such classics as You Can't Take It with You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Only Angels Have Wings). Here, she teams up with Charles Coburn for director Sam Wood's satirical, socially conscious precursor to the present-day reality TV series Undercover Boss. Coburn plays John P. Merrick, “the world's richest man” (think J.P. Morgan). When Merrick learns that someone is trying to unionize employees at his New York City department store, he goes undercover, taking a menial job in the shoe department under the overzealous scrutiny of a stern supervisor (Edmund Gwenn). Here he meets saleswoman Mary Jones (Arthur), and by the time Merrick discovers that the union organizer is also Mary's boyfriend, Joe (Robert Cummings), he's already convinced that a union is not only justified but necessary, especially after he falls in love with a co-worker (Spring Byington). A blue-collar fantasy, perhaps, but The Devil and Miss Jones still pours on the charm years later, especially in the double-date scene set at the legendary Coney Island amusement park. Looking sharp on a DVD re-release and Blu-ray debut, this is recommended. (J. Shannon)
The Devil and Miss Jones
Olive, 92 min., not rated, DVD: $24.95, Blu-ray: $29.95 Volume 28, Issue 4
The Devil and Miss Jones
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