43: Faustian Bargains

43: Faustian Bargains

Nov 22, 1996
Inspired by a spate of new Chicago stage adaptations of the Faust story, This American Life brings you stories of people who made a deal with the devil.

  • Act One

    Dangerous Minds.

    LuAnne Johnson is a teacher who sold her story to Hollywood and saw it made into the film and TV series Dangerous Minds, in which a character named LuAnne Johnson does things the real LuAnne believes are unethical and silly. (15 minutes)Education • Film/Film Making • Jobs/Employment • Television • Writing

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  • Act Two

    The Undiscovered Country.

    Found tape of a conversation about bringing back the dead. (11 minutes)Paranormal

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  • Act Three

    Voyager.

    Alix Spiegel tells the story of her friend Jayna, who made a Faustian bargain at 11 years old. (12 minutes)Childhood • Family • Friendship • Literature • Marriage • Music

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  • Act Four

    Carmen Becomes Faust.

    Carmen Delzell on a deal she made with the devil when she turned 30. (14 minutes)Housing • Jobs/Employment • Personal Finance • Retail/Commerce • Romance

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  • Act Five

    First Contact.

    Daniel Pinkwater reads his children's picture book Devil in the Drain. (4 minutes)Children • Literature

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