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Alias Nick Beal
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Wikipedia article
'Alias Nick Beal' is a 1949 American film noir mystery film retelling of the Faust myth directed by John Farrow and starring Ray Milland, Audrey Totter and Thomas Mitchell (although third-billed, Mitchell plays the leading role). The picture is also known as 'Dark Circle', 'Strange Temptation' and 'Alias Nicky Beal'.
Plot
Joseph Foster (Thomas Mitchell) an honest district attorney wants to run for governor in order to clean up the criminal underworld but can't catch their leader Frankie Faulkner (Fred Clark) no matter how hard he tries. One day a smooth talking stranger named Nick Beal (Ray Milland) visits him at a caf beside the docks and he makes a deal with him. Joseph begins his rise to power in the company of prostitute Donna Allen (Audrey Totter) who is sent by Nick to seduce him. But he gets out of his contract with the help of his loving wife Martha, (Geraldine Wall) and
his friend Reverend Thomas Garfield (George Macready).
Cast
* Ray Milland as Nick Beal
* Audrey Totter as Donna Allen
* Thomas Mitchell as Joseph Foster
* George Macready as Reverend Thomas Garfield
* Fred Clark as Frankie Faulkner
* Geraldine Wall as Martha Foster
* Henry O'Neill as Judge Ben Hobbs
* Darryl Hickman as Larry Price
* Nestor Paiva as Karl
* King Donovan as Peter Wolfe
* Charles Evans as Paul Norton
* Ern Verebes as Mr. Cox
* Arlene Jenkins as Aileen
* Pepito Prez as poster man
* Joey Ray as Tommy Ray
* Frank Mayo as committee man (uncredited)
* Lester Dorr as commercial fisherman (uncredited)
Release
Critical response
A 1949 review of the film in 'The New York Times' notes that, "Due to the fine acting and the wily direction, the story plays exceptionally well, but the script tends to be somewhat wobbly and indecisive upon reflection." Film4 commented on the leading man's performance, "Milland is outstanding as the personification of evila talent often obscured by his charm and early juvenile good looks."Home media
Kino Lorber released a region A Blu-ray edition of the film through their Kino Lorber Studio Classics label on July 13, 2021.See also
* Politics in fiction
* Ray Milland filmography
References
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