This week's Film Noir selection is Fallen Angel, a 1945 film directed by Otto Preminger. The movie features Dana Andrews (seen in Boomerang! (1947) and Laura (1944)), Charles Bickford from Brute Force (1947), Linda Darnell of Hangover Square (1945), Anne Revere who appeared in Secret Beyond the Door... (1948), and John Carradine, recognizable from Female Jungle (1954) and Bluebeard (1944). The film opens with a vehicle speeding along a road as the credits appear against superimposed street signs. The camera then pulls back to reveal it’s actually a bus. Dana Andrews is forced to leave the bus because he lacks sufficient funds to reach San Francisco, being roughly 150 miles short of his destination. He wanders over to Pop’s Eats (now considered an iconic noir location due to its prominent “BEER” signs) and encounters men searching for waitress Stella. Apparently, nearly every man in town is infatuated with her. This marks the beginning of a convoluted story about Eric Stanton – a former New York press agent experiencing such misfortune that he’s become a drifter, soon to be a con artist. Following Stella's return to the diner (much to the relief of Pop and others), Stanton manages to talk his way into an empty hotel room, which happens to belong to professor Madley (played by the excellent John Carradine) and his assistant. Madley is a traveling soothsayer who’s essentially a grifter. When Stanton joins forces with Madley and his act, he meets Clara and June Mills (Anne Revere and Alice Faye), two women Madley intends to exploit. Madley stages an entertaining séance by bringing up the financial details of Abraham Mills, the deceased father of Clara and June. The sisters leave the séance visibly upset. Meanwhile, Stanton develops feelings for Stella, who is as flawed as he is; she steals money from Pop’s cash register. After a brief romance, Stanton proposes marriage, but she refuses due to his precarious financial situation. Desperate for funds, Eric impulsively marries wealthy local spinster June Mills, with plans to divorce her quickly. Clara recognizes the scheme but is powerless to prevent it. Stanton finds himself unable to stay away from Stella, even on their wedding night, choosing instead to visit her rather than spend the night with his new wife. Just as he’s about to abandon his wife, Stella is found dead. Mark Judd (Charles Bickford), a former police officer turned detective, investigates the murder. His inquiry initially leads him to one of Stella's previous boyfriends; after administering a severe beating, he eventually focuses on Stanton. Stanton flees to a rundown hotel room in San Francisco, with June by his side. He quickly abandons her after taking her money but returns when news reaches him that June has been charged with Stella’s murder. I won't reveal the film’s conclusion, but it is entertaining. While I don’t believe Preminger possessed the same visual flair as other, more accomplished noir directors, this movie looks remarkable, particularly given its fluid camera movements. Joseph LaShelle (the cinematographer for Laura) delivers his usual superb work; the film's shadowy atmosphere is perfectly realized. As with all of Preminger’s films, the women are exceptionally presented. Take note of Stella’s long legs when she first returns to Pop’s. From what I've read online, many find Alice Faye too wholesome and the plot twists at the end unbelievable. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it, perhaps because of Stanton’s constant state of desperation. I also appreciate the contrast between nighttime Stella and daytime June, as well as the stark difference between the seedy part of town and June's suburban neighborhood.

Source on TMDB