Bibliography
Beating the Devil
The Making of Night of the Demon
UK: NMPFT Publishing/Tomahawk Press, 2005; PB. ISBN: 095319261X
Order this book from tomahawkmedia.co.uk
A foreword by Alex Cox and an introduction from Sir Christopher Frayling speak volumes about the far-reaching cult status achieved by the subject of film critic and broadcaster Tony Earnshaw’s book Beating the Devil. What could have been just another hokey black and white B-movie called Night of The Demon (or Curse of The Demon in the US) has grown in reputation as a celebrated and revered entry in the horror canon, aided and abetted by the controversy and conflicting stories about its gestation
Directed almost 50 years ago by Jacques Tourneur – the auteur behind the classic Cat People – and starring Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins and Niall MacGinnis, the movie’s troublesome off-screen life is brought to life vividly through Tony Earnshaw’s assiduous researches into original material. The wider cast includes a brash American producer, a difficult director, a slighted script-writer, a blacklisted rewrite man and the behind the scenes special effects wizards who, given “a hospital job” (“everything had to be done on fourpence”), created the iconic and much disputed demon, later disowned by Tourneur.
Using interviews with the surviving cast and crew and previously unpublished archive material from the then British Board of Film Censors, Tony Earnshaw’s book tracks the film from the original M R James ghost story Casting the Runes through the various shooting scripts and alternative titles to the final theatrical release. Along the way there are anecdotes, analysis and fascinating insights into the state of British movie making the 1950s, as well as previously unpublished production designs by Sir Ken Adam, who went on to create the lasers and lairs that helped make the Bond films an international phenomenon. With a comprehensive location guide, bibliography and biographies of all the players in front of and behind the cameras it is the definitive book on what has been described as “The Casablanca of Horror Films”.
"What film books should be all about. Extremely well written. Loaded with facts. I can't recommend this highly enough." Little Shoppe of Horrors
“This superlative book … will influence the way Demon is written about from here on out – just what a making of book should do. Tells you everything you would ever want to know. Ace writer-researcher Tony Earnshaw keeps it all very accessible and highly entertaining.” Fangoria magazine
"... quite fantastic... Kudos to author Tony Earnshaw for his research and lifelong admiration for a great film. His scholarship is most commendable." www.filmsinreview.com, read full review here.
"... well-written and engaging..." Headpress
“… a superb book which is pretty much the last word on the subject. Unreservedly recommended for anyone with an interest in classic British horror movies.” M.J. Simpson (Author of Hitchhiker) Read full review...
“… everything you want to know about the film… absolutely fabulous …” Up All Night (Radio Five Live)
“A gorgeous book which delves right into the story of the production of one of the great iconic horror films. A must-have.” The Unofficial Hammer Films Site
“...a long overdue autopsy...” Total Film
“...revealing...it's good to see this underrated film finally getting the attention it deserves.” SFX magazine
“...an immaculate piece, all killer and no filler. Superb!” The Horror Channel
"...well worth a read. Fans of the movie will devour it with interest." Turner Classic Movies
“Earnshaw has cleverly straddled both academia and a contextual genealogy to cut through the myths of the film’s turbulent production, offer salient answers, illuminating information and incisive analysis. If you are doing a PhD on British Horror this book would serve as an excellent introduction to Night of the Demon. If you are simply a fan, this book also does the job. Whatever your needs, this text satisfies your horrific lust.” – www.pixelsurgeon.com
"Beating the Devil moves beyond the speculation that has informed most writing on this matter so far. The demonic controversy isn't the entire point of Earnshaw's book, but it is an overriding one and Earnshaw can claim to having settled as much as possible. Essential." Scarlet Street magazine
"After going through this excellent book, you'll watch the film from a totally different viewpoint." - Razor Reel