Fallen Angel, directed by Otto Preminger with cinematography from Joseph LaShelle—who had previously collaborated with him on Laura—features Alice Faye, Dana Andrews, Linda Darnell, and Charles Bickford. Often considered a minor work in both film noir and Preminger’s own filmography (he even claimed to have forgotten making it), the movie is notable as Faye's final appearance as a major Hollywood star. Unhappy with how studio head Darryl F. Zanuck and Preminger reduced her part in favor of Darnell’s, Faye left the studio following a preview screening, remaining out of films for 16 years. The story follows Andrews as Eric Stanton, a man down on his luck who is dropped off far from San Francisco and winds up in the small coastal town of Walton. There he encounters waitress Stella (Darnell) and recluse June (Faye). He finds himself attracted to the former, as do many others, while the latter has recently inherited a substantial sum of money, which also draws Eric’s attention. Soon, his life becomes entangled with love, infatuation, jealousy, and ultimately, murder. While more akin to a mystery than a deeply dark film noir experience, Fallen Angel remains an effectively crafted and atmospheric movie, one where appearances can be deceiving. Preminger, despite not recalling the production, intentionally leads viewers astray regarding the characters’ true natures, which enhances the whodunit aspect by concealing the killer's identity until the final reveal. The cinematography from LaShelle is also well done; the lighting particularly highlights scenes involving Darnell and Faye, creating a striking contrast that reveals something about their characters—a detail worth noticing on repeat viewings. The performances are adequate, with Darnell’s portrayal pleasing to many viewers. Despite some unevenness in the plot during the final section, the ending is ultimately satisfying and unexpected. It earns a rating of 7/10. A note: The film was adapted from a novel by Marty Holland, also known as Mary—the author of "The File on Thelma Jordan" (1949). Very little information exists about her, as she disappeared after 1949 and was never heard from again.

Source on TMDB