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Shortcut to Happiness

Original title: The Devil and Daniel Webster
  • 2003
  • PG-13
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
Shortcut to Happiness (2003)
Set in contemporary New York's literary world, this is a re-telling of the classic fable of a man who sells his soul to the devil for fame and fortune and ultimately decides that he wants to get it back. Jabez Stone, a down and out writer, exchanges his soul for a successful literary career, but soon realizes it was a mistake. Jabez must enlist the help of Daniel Webster in order to win his soul back from the Devil.
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
24 Photos
ComedyDramaFantasy

A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for fame and fortune.A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for fame and fortune.A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for fame and fortune.

  • Director
    • Alec Baldwin
  • Writers
    • Stephen Vincent Benet
    • Archibald Macleish
    • Peter Dexter
  • Stars
    • Anthony Hopkins
    • Jennifer Love Hewitt
    • Alec Baldwin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    6.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alec Baldwin
    • Writers
      • Stephen Vincent Benet
      • Archibald Macleish
      • Peter Dexter
    • Stars
      • Anthony Hopkins
      • Jennifer Love Hewitt
      • Alec Baldwin
    • 51User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:24
    Official Trailer

    Photos24

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Anthony Hopkins
    Anthony Hopkins
    • Daniel Webster
    Jennifer Love Hewitt
    Jennifer Love Hewitt
    • The Devil
    Alec Baldwin
    Alec Baldwin
    • Jabez Stone
    Dan Aykroyd
    Dan Aykroyd
    • Julius Jensen
    Bobby Cannavale
    Bobby Cannavale
    • Cop
    Kim Cattrall
    Kim Cattrall
    • Constance Hurry
    Amy Poehler
    Amy Poehler
    • Molly Gilchrest
    Jann Carl
    Jann Carl
    • Jann Carl
    Antoni Cornacchione
    • Security Guard
    Bill Corsair
    Bill Corsair
    • Aging Writer
    Grenville Cuyler
    • Taxi Hailer
    Calvert DeForest
    • Bailiff
    • (as Calvert De Forest)
    Marilyn Dobrin
    • Joan Jenson
    Jhon Doria
    • Photographer
    Mike Doyle
    Mike Doyle
    • Luke
    Drew Eliot
    • Man
    Jack Ferver
    • Jabez's Assistant
    Ranardo Domeico Grays
    • Photographer's Assistant
    • (as Renardo-Doemeico Grays)
    • Director
      • Alec Baldwin
    • Writers
      • Stephen Vincent Benet
      • Archibald Macleish
      • Peter Dexter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Alec Baldwin (Jabez Stone), this movie was extensively re-edited after it came into the possession of Bob Yari Productions, and no longer bears any resemblance to its original form or to the Benet short story, hence the title change. Baldwin has since requested that his name be removed from the credits as director and producer.
    • Goofs
      When buying the house, Jabez Stone sees the Devil on the beach. He runs to her with his shirt's collar over his jacket. But when he is there and talks to the Devil the collar is carefully tucked under.
    • Quotes

      Aging Writer: Ah, the great Daniel Webster!

      Daniel Webster: The drunk Mr. Hardy.

      Aging Writer: Better drunk than a whore, I always say.

      Daniel Webster: Better neither than both.

    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Movies That Faced MAJOR Delays (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Are You There, Margaret? It's Me God
      Written and Performed by The Baldwin Brothers
      Courtesy of TVT Records

    User reviews51

    Featured review

    Another version of an old idea ... but it worths watching

    It's very interesting how some old ideas always come back "in new clothing" to movies or literature. This movie is a good example. It's about the "old but nice" cliché of Faust, the man how sells his immortal soul to the devil in exchange of achieving happiness.

    I like Jennifer Love Hewitt playing devil in this movie. I don't think she's gorgeous or a tremendous actress, but she's cute and did a good job in this movie.

    This movie mixes references to classic US writers, the "not a penny in the pocket" world of the amateur writers struggling to be noted by a publisher and the the US mania for justice court battles.

    It's a light movie for relaxing with friends or the girlfriend/boyfriend.
    • charlesdias
    • Nov 21, 2007
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 2007 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Yari Film Group (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Devil
    • Filming locations
      • Bethpage, Long Island, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Yari Film Group (YFG)
      • Cutting Edge Entertainment
      • El Dorado Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $686,846
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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