Alias Nick Beal


Alias Nick Beal is a 1949 film noir mystery film retelling of the Faust myth directed by John Farrow and starring Ray Milland, Audrey Totter and Thomas Mitchell. The picture is also known as Dark Circle, Strange Temptation and Alias Nicky Beal.

Plot

Joseph Foster 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 no matter how hard he tries. One day a smooth talking stranger named Nick Beal visits him at a café beside the docks and he makes a deal with him. Joseph begins his rise to power in the company of prostitute Donna Allen who is sent by Nick to seduce him. But he gets out of his contract with the help of his loving wife Martha, and
his friend Reverend Thomas Garfield.

Cast

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 evil—a talent often obscured by his charm and early juvenile good looks."