Watch The Devil and Miss Jones

The Devil and Miss Jones is a 1941 romantic comedy directed by Norman Krasna, starring Jean Arthur, Robert Cummings, and Charles Coburn. The film tells the story of J.P. Merrick (Coburn), a wealthy and reclusive department store tycoon who goes undercover as a sales clerk to investigate worker discontent at one of his own stores. There he meets Mary Jones (Arthur), an outspoken and principled shopgirl who quickly becomes his confidant and ally. When Mary introduces J.P. to her friend Joe O'Brien (Cummings), an aspiring labor organizer, J.P. finds himself drawn into a world of social activism and personal transformation.

One of the most striking aspects of The Devil and Miss Jones is its timely and politically-charged subject matter. Released in the wake of the Great Depression and the emergence of the labor movement, the film deals with issues such as worker exploitation, unionization, and class struggle. Despite its serious themes, however, the film retains a light touch and a sense of humor, thanks in large part to the sparkling and witty script by Krasna.

The film's central trio of performers are all in top form, with Jean Arthur in particular delivering a standout performance as the fiery and charismatic Mary. Arthur, who was known for playing strong-willed and independent women, imbues the character with a mix of toughness and vulnerability that makes her both relatable and irresistibly charming. Charles Coburn is likewise excellent as J.P., giving the character a gruff exterior that gradually gives way to a more compassionate and enlightened outlook. Robert Cummings provides a perfect foil to the other two leads as the earnest and idealistic Joe.

Aside from its thematic and performance-related strengths, The Devil and Miss Jones is also notable for its technical attributes. The film features some impressive location shooting in and around New York City, including scenes at the famous Coney Island amusement park. The cinematography by Joseph Walker is likewise impressive, making use of shadow and light to create visually striking compositions. The film's art direction and costume design are also noteworthy, capturing the look and feel of 1940s department store culture with a keen eye for detail.

Overall, The Devil and Miss Jones is a lively and engaging romantic comedy that manages to tackle weighty social issues with wit and humor. Its timely and thought-provoking message is still relevant today, making it a film that is well worth revisiting.

The Devil and Miss Jones is a 1941 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.