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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “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 in office and devises master plan for how to destroy the US, holds up book titled reads Inflation: Or How to Destroy the (2:22). American “Hillbilly” farmer and John Q (business man) smoke pipes beside a cast-iron wood stove (2:33). Devil joins conversation and dresses in disguise as farmer, has temper tantrum (2:41). John Q and other American businessmen in suits discuss inflation over fancy dinner (3:01). Devil dresses in disguise as waiter and inserts himself in conversation - sparks fire with thumbs and lights man’s cigar (3:16). John Q stands at “payroll checks cashed” window with worker counting paycheck cash (3:40). Devil appears as another worker picking up payroll and joins conversation (3:53). Political cartoons: inflation threatening the United States (4:10). John Q turns on TV for address on inflation - Devil on TV dressed as American senator (4:32). John Q rushes through traffic to TV station to disrupt the live broadcast (4:57). John Q steps on stage of TV set and disrupts the “devil” (5:17). John Q begins presentation about history of inflation in the United States: shows various goods and home interiors in 1940 and compares them to goods and homes in 1950 (5:23). Stream of goods roll out of American factory into store while simultaneously walking dollar bills walk out of factory into the store (6:40). War economy: stream of goods becomes weapons and other armament (6:46). Dollar bills scramble and fight each other for a refrigerator (7:05). Animations detailing how inflation can be stopped (7:11). Dollar bills frantically run into carnival-scape representing non-essential spending (7:56). Scene return to John Q speaking to crowd from TV studio (8:28). Abraham Lincoln statue in Lincoln Memorial (8:42). The soundtrack for this cartoon was made by Les Baxter. The cartoon stars Frank Nelson as the Devil, John Hiestand as narrator, Harry Morgan as Abe Lincoln, and Herb Vigran as John Q. We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
