Alias Nick Beal

Alias Nick Beal

1949. USA. Directed by John Farrow. Screenplay by Jonathan Latimer. With Ray Milland, Audrey Totter, Thomas Mitchell. One of the cinema’s finest noirs is also one of the hardest to see. Thankfully, Eddie Muller, founder and president of the Film Noir Foundation, has chosen it for his To Save and Project noir lineup. He writes, “This brilliant Faustian tale of soul corruption has campaigning politician Thomas Mitchell making a pact with Lucifer (Ray Milland), which includes the temptations of delectable devil-doll Audrey Totter, who's got her own issues with the mysterious Mr. Beal. The fabulous and fabulist screenplay by Jonathan Latimer is rendered by Farrow (The Big Clock, Where Danger Lives) in high noir style. A true rarity, and arguably Farrow's finest and most personal film, preserved by Universal Pictures in a gorgeous 35mm archival print.” Preserved print courtesy NBC Universal. 93 min.