The Devil and Miss Jones

The Devil and Miss Jones is a 1941 film about a tycoon who goes undercover to ferret out agitators at a department store, but gets involved in their lives instead. Directed by Sam Wood. Written by Norman Krasna. It's the DEVIL OF A JOB hanging on to her halo!..When Miss Jones starts raising cain! Mary Jones You... Benedict Arnold in sheep's clothing! Elizabeth, you know, you've lived a very sheltered life. Now, men aren't exactly what they seem to be. Some men are wonderful. Other men are beasts. Scientists can write all the books they like about love being a trap of nature. I remember reading that. That it's biology and the chemistry inside a woman that fools her. But, all the scientists are going to convince the other scientists; but not women in love. John P. Merrick I don't remember when I've ever disliked anyone as heartily as I do him. And I've disliked quite a few people in my time, to their misfortune. Is this the way you discharge your responsibility? Can't you understand that dealing people the way you do is the reason for this civil war around here? I've worked with these people. They have rights! Other Hooper: You've got quite a way with children. They certainly take to you. Like a duck to water. Hot water. Dialogue Merrick: I have a seventh sense. Elizabeth: You mean a sixth sense. Merrick: I mean a seventh sense. I have a sixth and seventh sense. Mary Jones: Just forget all about it. Merrick: I'm an elephant, Miss Jones, a veritable elephant. I never forget a good deed done me or an ill one. I consider myself a kind of divine justice. Other people in this world have to forget things. I do not. Mary Jones: Now, don't talk like you're out of your mind and don't be blasphemous about 'divine justice'. Joe O'Brien: Lock me up - you've got enough charges. Police Sergeant: I'll lock you up when I'm good and ready! Joe O'Brien: A woman's place in the world is to tend the male. Mary Jones: Not this woman and not this male. Merrick: Now, look around us. There's a couple over there. They think they were made for each other. He's biting her ear. Now, she's biting his ear. Very touching. Mary Jones: I think so. Merrick: They've found each other, haven't they? Out of this whole wide world, these two were lucky enough to come together. But, don't you think, if she hadn't met him, there wouldn't be somebody else biting her ear now? And don't you think he would be at some other girl's ear - probably 10 feet away? Mary Jones: Maybe. But that doesn't prove anything. Mary Jones: Don't you feel badly. He'll get his just desserts one of these days. Merrick: I'd like to be as certain of the hereafter, Miss Jones. Mary Jones: I can't understand how you've never eaten in an automat before. Merrick: I never thought of it. I could sue them, getting my finger caught like that. Mary Jones: Well, I don't know. I've been eating there for years. I never heard of anybody getting their fingers caught before. Say, tell me the truth, was the manager right, did you try to get that blueberry pie without putting in a nickel? Merrick: You too. I tell you I did put in a nickel. But I went to get coffee, and somebody must have sneaked the pie out. Mary Jones: I don't say Joe's the greatest thing that ever lived. I probably wouldn't love him if he was. I'd just want to look at him. But, you see, I'm not the greatest girl in the world either. Two people look at each other, and they see something way deep inside, that nobody else can. And that's it. I wouldn't be surprised if the greatest love affair in the world was between a Chinaman wearing a pigtail and a girl who's missing two front teeth. If you could measure it. If they feel it, they feel it. Merrick: Do you? Mary Jones: Not the way you see in the movies or hear in those songs, you know, about the touch of your hand, you set me on fire. I guess I'm not the combustible type. Mary Jones: I wish you'd marry me, just like it is. I'm not afraid. Joe O'Brien: Marriage? You're not afraid? Women are never afraid. How long do you think you'd be in love with me living off your salary? Mary Jones: That's nothing to be ashamed of. You can't help it. Joe O'Brien: Not to you; but it is to me. Merrick: Elizabeth, I wonder if you'd care - for the real me? Elizabeth: I think I know the real you. Merrick: I may not be exactly as I appear on the surface. Elizabeth: But no one's really perfect. I'm not. Cast Jean Arthur - Mary Jones, store clerk Charles Coburn - John P. Merrick, richest man in the world aka Thomas Higgins Robert Cummings - Joe O'Brien Edmund Gwenn - Hooper, section manager Spring Byington - Elizabeth Ellis, clerk S. Z. Sakall - George (Merrick's butler) William Demarest - First detective Walter Kingsford - Mr. Allison, store manager Montagu Love - Harrison Richard Carle - Oliver Charles Waldron - Needles Edwin Maxwell - Withers Edward McNamara - Police desk sergeant Robert Emmett Keane - Tom Higgins Florence Bates - store shopper Pat Flaherty - Mark – Policeman with pickpocket Regis Toomey - 1st Policeman Minta Durfee - Customer (uncredited) William Elmer - Attendant at Jim's bath house Frank Mills - Attendant at third bath house Victor Potel - Attendant at first bath house Walter Tetley - stock boy External links 0033533 The Devil and Miss Jones The Devil and Miss Jones Category:1941 American films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:Screwball comedy films Category:Films set in department stores Category:Films set in New York City Category:Films directed by Sam Wood Category:1941 English-language films