Plot – Some adventurers have planned to seize some uranium deposits in Africa with a scam. Head of the group is Billy Reuter who, as he waits with his wife Maria to embark, meets Harry and Gwendolyn Chelm. Gwendolyn is one of those women with a lively imagination: she immediately falls in love with Billy and flirts with him. The whole group leaves for Africa, but during the crossing quarrels break out between Billy’s partners and Harry Chelm who, having discovered their plans, threatens to report them, although Maria Reuter, in love with him, tries to dissuade him. One of the gunmen tries to kill Harry, but is blocked by Billy. To prevent further attacks, Gwendolyn accuses Harry of madness and has him locked in a cabin. However, as the ship is about to sink due to a mechanical failure, Billy and Gwendolyn open Harry’s cabin to find it empty: the alleged lunatic has already escaped and left the ship. The survivors arrive in lifeboats in Arabia and, having overcome some difficulties, they are able to return to Italy, where Billy’s partners are arrested. A telegram announces to Gwendolyn that Harry is alive: learning the news, Gwendolyn cries, Maria faints and Billy bursts out laughing.
Title Beat the Devil
Year 1953
Director John Huston
GenreComedy,Adventure,Action
“- Gwendolyn Chelm: I have a theory about you and your friends.
– Billy Dannreuther: Correction – my associates.
– Gwendolyn Chelm: As a matter of fact, I think you’re doctors. Evil ones, I mean. You’re going to the heart of the jungle where human life is cheap, to perform ghastly experiments which require the sacrifice of thousands on the altar…”
Jennifer Jones – Mrs. Gwendolen ChelmHumphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“- Maj. Jack Ross: This generation’s had its chance. Hitler, Mussolini, those were the men. Now it’s the age of the barbarians. The world’s going up in smoke. I say let it come. Get it over with.
– Billy Dannreuther: Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like another year or so of worrying.”
Ivor Barnard – Maj. Jack RossHumphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“A good laugh does more for the stomach muscles than five minutes’ sitting-up exercises.”
Robert Morley – Peterson
“Trouble with England, it’s all pomp and no circumstance. You’re very wise to get out of it, escape, while you can.”
Humphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“The only thing standing between you and a watery grave is your wits, and that’s not my idea of adequate protection.”
Humphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“- O’Hara: I give you my word, I feel to you like an older brother. Oh, it’s not so much a difference of age. It’s probably, yes, the reason is, because I come from a culture which is so much older than yours. In my country, a child of 6 years old is older in his heart than you’ll be at, at 60.
– Billy Dannreuther: It smokes, it drinks, it…”
Peter Lorre – Julius O’HaraHumphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“- Ahmed: Your demands are very great, under the circumstances.
– Billy Dannreuther: Why shouldn’t they be? Fat Gut’s my best friend, and I will not betray him cheaply.”
Manuel Serrano – Ahmed – Arab InquisitorHumphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“- Ahmed: Our country is in a state of unrest.
– Peterson: Oh, I am sorry!”
Manuel Serrano – Ahmed – Arab InquisitorRobert Morley – Peterson
“Time. What is time? Swiss manufacture it. French hoard it. Italians squander it. Americans say it is money. Hindus say it does not exist. Do you know what I say? I say time is a crook.”
Peter Lorre – Julius O’Hara
“- Peterson: You mean Mrs. Chelm is an unqualified liar?
– Billy Dannreuther: Well, let’s say she uses her imagination rather than her memory.”
Robert Morley – PetersonHumphrey Bogart – Billy Dannreuther
“- Gwendolyn Chelm: Harry, we must beware of these men. They are desperate characters.
– Harry Chelm: What makes you say that?
– Gwendolyn Chelm: Not one of them looked at my legs!”
Jennifer Jones – Mrs. Gwendolen ChelmEdward Underdown – Harry Chelm