Printer's Devil

Infobox Television episode
Title = Printer's Devil
Series = The Twilight Zone


Caption = Scene from "Printer's Devil"
Season = 4
Episode = 111
Airdate = February 28, 1963
Production = 4864
Writer = Charles Beaumont (Based on his story “The Devil, You Say?”)
Director = Ralph Senensky
Guests = Burgess Meredith : Mr. Smith
Robert Sterling : Douglas Winter
Pat Crowley : Jackie Benson
Ray Teal : Mr. Franklin
Music =
Episode list = List of Twilight Zone episodes
Prev = Miniature
Next = No Time Like the Past

"Printer’s Devil" is an episode of the American television anthology series "The Twilight Zone". The title comes from the profession printer's devil, an apprentice in the industry.

The plot line, though with a different ending, borrows heavily from the classic American short story The Devil and Daniel Webster, and echoes a plot device in Jack Finney's 1952 short story "Behind the News."

Burgess Meredith would make his fourth and final Twilight Zone appearance in this episode. This would tie him with Jack Klugman for the most number of starring "Twilight Zone" appearances.

Opening Narration

ynopsis

Douglas Winter, the editor of "The Courier", a failing newspaper, feels there is nothing to live for after a number of employees quit, including the linotype operator. Drunk, at a bridge, he looks down into the inviting water below. He is approached by one “Mr. Smith”, who comments that it's a short fall and probably wouldn't do a very good job. He then asks Doug for a light, and, if he wasn't quite ready, a ride into town. Amused, forgetting all about suicide, Winter gives him a lift to a café, where Mr. Smith agrees to provide the editor with money to pay off debts and continue the operation of the newspaper. "Mr. Smith" also signs up to replace the linotype operator and be the sole reporter. With nothing to lose, Doug agrees to the proposition.

Business booms for the little newspaper, as "Mr. Smith" out-scoops other reporters from the rival "Gazette" on dramatic news stories, many involving disasters. "The Courier" becomes a success as its stories hit the streets seemingly minutes after the events happen. It is so successful that a man from "The Gazette", Mr. Franklin, tries to buy up the little newspaper. Winter is now in a position to say "No!" with confidence. Not many days later, there is a fire at "The Gazette", and they accuse someone at "The Courier" of arson.

With all the success the newspaper is having, Mr. Smith asks the editor to humor him by signing a contract guaranteeing continued success in exchange for his soul, pointing out that it doesn't mean much; "it's almost like an appendix these days, not really necessary," and besides, since the devil is not real, Winter shouldn't have problem with it. Winter hesitates, but Mr. Smith goads him saying, "Imagine a grown man believing in the devil!" More importantly, Mr. Smith has modified the newspaper's linotype machine, so that whatever is set in type subsequently happens. Eventually, Mr. Smith makes a pass at Miss Benson, who sternly rebuffs him. In retaliation for this, and trying to turn the screws on Winter, he writes a story that has the editor's girlfriend gravely injured in an auto accident. The editor finally realizes that Mr. Smith "is" in fact the devil, and he discovers the story that has his girlfriend dying. Winter uses the linotype machine to change the story so his girlfriend survives the crash, but also writes it so that Mr. Smith's contract is void, and he must leave. When the car is found, Jackie is safe, but Mr. Smith has completely disappeared. Doug decides to run the newspaper fairly, and to destroy the infernal linotype machine.

Closing Narration

Preview for Next Week's Story

References

*DeVoe, Bill. (2008). "Trivia from The Twilight Zone". Albany, GA: Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1593931360
*Grams, Martin. (2008). "The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic". Churchville, MD: OTR Publishing. ISBN 978-0970331090

External links

*imdb title|id=0734614|title=Printer's Devil
* [http://www.tv.com/the-twilight-zone/printers-devil/episode/12696/summary.html TV.com episode page]

Twilight Zone links

*The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
*Episode List
*Season 4