The 30 Nov 1961 LAT reported the planned distribution of “low-budget Hollywood movies” in the U.S. by Herts-Lion International Corporation, in association with Pacific Thrift and Loan Company. The Devil’s Messenger was among the first of these releases. A news item in the 22 Feb 1962 LAT claimed that lead actor Lon Chaney appeared in “103 makeup characterizations” for the film. Sound dubbing was completed on 5 Feb 1962, as reported in that day’s DV.
       The Devil’s Messenger opened 24 Oct 1962 in Los Angeles, CA, and was described as both boring and unintentionally humorous by the 27 Oct 1962 LAT. The review noted that several exterior scenes were shot in Los Angeles, although various sources referred to the picture as a Swedish production. It was released with the companion feature, Carnival of Souls (1962, see entry).
       On 3 Dec 1962, DV announced that Kenneth Herts, president of Herts-Lion International, obtained an injunction against Houston-Hale Laboratory, which had planned to auction rights to the film, along with four other Herts-Lion releases, as compensation for unpaid processing fees. Herts claimed that the laboratory was in violation of its contract with the distributor, and demanded a full accounting, along with $50,000 in damages. Eighteen days later, DV reported that the parties had reached an “amicable settlement.”
       Filmed in part in Sweden in 1959 as No. 13 Demon Street, a 13-episode TV series written by Curt Siodmak (Leo Guild is generally credited with the screenplay); revised for U. S. theatrical release.