Short order cook Dudley Moore is madly in love with waitress Eleanor Bron, but much too timid to approach her. He goes home to hang himself, but the Prince of Darkness (Peter Cook) appears and gives Moore seven wishes in return for Moore's soul. But Cook is sneaky and gives Moore false advice in order to waste the wishes. Moore has no more success in pursuing Bron during his dream-like existences of the wishes than in real life.

Chances are no holiday release this year will have audiences laughing as long and hard as "Bedazzled," a gem of satire so aptly titled. This sophisticated romp represents the ideal blending of all the diverse talents which make up the communal efforts of a finished film. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, seen in "The Wrong Box" and remembered for their "Beyond the Fringe" international stage success, came up with the story. Cook then wrote the screenplay and Moore did the music. They play the devil and the proverbial "little man," respectively, and are a pure delight. Producer-director Stanley Donen, always one of the most stylish and literally cinematic of today's directors, seems to have taken special relish in this hilarious brew. Eleanor Bron, fast becoming one of England's busiest actresses ("HELP!', "Two for the Road" and "Alfie"), is the love of Moore's life. She is a fine actress, whether in drama or comedy. Raquel Welch as boxoffice bait has never looked so ravishing nor acted so well in her bit part as Lillian Lust.

EXPLOITIPS:
Play up the Devil, using an usher in a devil's costume. Provocative cut-outs of Raquel Welch as Lust will be effective advertising promotion. For sophisticated audiences, use the critical acclaim as one of the best comedies this year. Tie in with music shops and radio programs for the Dudley Moore score.

CATCHLINES:
Let the Devil "Bedazzle" You With Laffs and "Lust"...Who Said Hell Isn't Funny?