After straight-arrow district attorney Joseph Foster says in frustration that he would sell his soul to bring down a local mob boss, a smooth-talking stranger named Nick Beal shows up with enough evidence to seal a conviction. When that success leads Foster to run for governor, Beal's unearthly hold on him turns the previously honest man corrupt, much to the displeasure of his wife and his steadfast minister.
Acting
Ray Milland's demonically patient stillness
Cinematography
Fog that breathes like another character
Writing
Dialogue that never wastes a syllable
Director
John Farrow
Ray Milland
Nick Beal
Audrey Totter
Donna Allen
Thomas Mitchell
Joseph Foster
George Macready
Thomas Garfield
Fred Clark
Frankie Faulkner
Geraldine Wall
Martha Foster
Henry O'Neill
Judge Ben Hobbs
Darryl Hickman
Larry Price
Nestor Paiva
Karl
King Donovan
Peter Wolfe
Charles Evans
Paul Norton
Ernö Verebes
Mr. Cox
Douglas Spencer
Henry T. Finch
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ray Milland refused to play Beal as obviously demonic, insisting on charm so disarming you'd vote for him.
This 1949 Faust variant arrived when HUAC paranoia made 'hidden evil in respectable places' hit different.
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