| “ | I call B.L. Zebub. Otherwise known...as...MEEEEE! | „ |
| ~ Zebub's boast during the trial. |
The Devil, also known as B.L. Zebub, is the main antagonist of the 1978 Nelvana animated special The Devil and Daniel Mouse. He is a reptilian representation of Satan who passes himself off as a suave record producer and makes a deal with Jan Mouse in order to launch her career as a rock superstar, but only if he comes back by night to collect her soul. He is usually accompanied by his bumbling lackey Weez Weezel, despite being disdainful of the latter.
He was voiced by the late Chris Wiggins, who also voiced Toad Schipper in Rock & Rule (which, in turn, was inspired by the special), No Heart in the Care Bears series, Avalon in Keroppi and Friends and Grey Gargoyle in The Marvel Super Heroes and portrayed Colonel Pearson in the live action Disney film King of the Grizzlies.
Biography[]
The Devil first appears when Jan Mouse says that she would give anything to be a star. He introduces himself as B.L. Zebub, the president of Devil-May-Care Music Productions. He is soon followed by his associate Weez Weezel, who is, as his name suggests, a weasel. Jan convinces the Devil that she is talented and is determined to do whatever it takes to be a star. She is offered a contract, printed on one extremely long roll of paper. Jan begins to read the lengthy contract but soon gives up. She asks B.L. Zebub, "Can I trust you?". Angelic music plays and the Devil briefly takes on the appearance of a kindly-looking old man. Jan agrees to sign the contract in her blood.
When Jan's boyfriend Dan Mouse returns with some food, he finds that Jan has gone. Unseen and unheard by Dan, the Devil appears behind him, saying that Jan has now signed with him.
Later, after Jan becomes a rock superstar and as a concert she performs in draws to a close, a large owl-like bird lands on the stage. It reveals itself to be the Devil, who comes to collect Jan. The Devil pursues Jan over land and water, taking on the form of a cat, a rhinoceros, and a piranha as he does so. Thinking that she has escaped, Jan rests beside a tree in a forest. The tree reveals itself to be the Devil. Reading from the contract, the Devil tells Jan that she agreed to give up her soul to him forever at precisely midnight on the night of her greatest triumph. When Jan points out that it is not yet midnight, the Devil allows her some time to "say goodbye to her friends", leaving her heartbroken.
The Devil later reappears as Jan reunites with Dan, who then demands a trial to determine Jan's fate. The Devil agrees to the trial but on three conditions; he supplies the judge, he supplies the jury and if Dan loses the trial, he takes the souls of both Jan and Dan. To make up the jury, the Devil summons the spirits of Rat and Leech, two figures who used to work in the recording industry and who cheated musicians, and Vickie Viper, a former star who was left with a deep hatred of other singers after she lost her voice. Weez Weezel acts as the judge and other animals gather in the forest to watch the trial. Dan tries to point out that the contract was unfair but the Devil retorts that Jan signed it anyway. When Dan and Jan point out that the trial is unfair because there are only three jurors, not twelve, the Devil creates three more replicas of each member of the jury.
Having nothing else to offer by way of defense, Dan begins to sing the song, "Look Where the Music Can Take You". The song has a calming effect on the previously angry jury who soon begin to sing along. The Devil gets increasingly annoyed by the song and summons more demons to put a stop to it. However, the demons instantly start singing and clapping along to the song too. Enraged at being cheated out of two souls, the Devil goes into a fiery breakdown while rapidly changing forms, vowing that he will not let it happen again. He takes Judge Weez Weezel back to Hell with him as punishment for declaring Jan and Dan free, along with all the other spirits.
Trivia[]
- The Devil's alias, "B.L. Zebub", is a pun on Beelzebub.
Quotes[]
| “ | My card, pretty lady. | „ |
| ~ Zebub introducing himself to Jan. |
| “ | Sooooo, I gave you a chance, and you beat the Devil!? Well, I've learned my lesson! From now on...NO...MORE...MISTER...NICE...GUY!!!!!!'' | „ |
| ~ Zebub's villainous breakdown. |