The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)
A new high in being lowdown.
Director: Steven Hilliard Stern · Writers: Mary Rodgers, Jimmy Sangster
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.
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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Director
Steven Hilliard Stern
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
Sally Marr
Mrs. Gormley 
Reggie Nalder
Chairman of Devil's Council 
Lillian Müller
Veronica
Denise DuBarry
Stella's Secretary User Reviews (2)
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.
I'd recommend 'The Devil and Max Devlin'. 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.
