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"The Devil and John Q" Effects of Inflation on U.S. Economy & Recession (1952)

1952 · Animation · 9 min

  • War
  • Animation
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Synopsis

The Devil and John Q” is an animated short-film from 1952 that discusses the harmful impact inflation would have on the American economy. The film follows caricature John Q as he tries to stop the devil, who poses as a business tycoon, from trying to raise prices in America and start another world war. This film and others in the series were products of the Cold War. Deeply concerned with the rise of Communism after the end of WWII, Harding University (then known as Harding College) worked with film studio John Sutherland Productions to produce a series of short animated films "to create a deeper understanding of what has made America the finest place in the world to live!" The films in the series feature animation by renowned cartoonists and artists Arnold Gillespie, Emery Hawkins, Bill Higgins, and Russ von Neida. John Sutherland is remembered for having voiced the adult Bambi in the 1942 Disney cartoon. A gifted animator and filmmaker, he produced 45 films from 1945–1973. His films for Harding College extolled the socioeconomic concept of capitalism and delivered a political message on the benefits of both corporate and individual liberty, and the drawbacks of government intervention.Opening credits (0:10). Devils stand hand in hand amid flames at the Gates of Hell (0:39). Henchman mumbles and trudges out of door in the depths of hell (1:06). Henchman trips and falls down steps (1:15). Devil yells at henchman from hot tub with cigar hanging from mouth (1:30). Devil sits…

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Details

Running time
9 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

Reviews on the Internet Archive

★★★★ · The Right-Wing Devil · Dodsworth the Cat · 2024-05-02

Other than the corporate message of the 1950s (government spending--meaning money for social programmes--equals inflation), just about everything in this John Sutherland cartoon is terrific. Gerry Nevius and Ed Starr have created some fine designs (not yet into UPA mode), the animation is fluid (see how the large-rumped Devil walks and how he changes into various characters), and Lex Baxter's jazzy opening are real highlights. Anything animated by Emery Hawkins has something to recommend it, and I'd love to know who animated the oaf falling down the stairs (voice actor unknown, though it…

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