Starring Ray Milland, Audrey Totter, Thomas Mitchell, George Macready, Fred Clark, Darrly
Hickman
Directed by John Farrow

Print: black/white
Runtime: 93 min.
Genre: mystery

This modern-day "Faust" variation benefits from a superb cast. Thomas Mitchell plays
Joseph Foster, an honest judge who wants to become governor. Blocked by corrupt political
forces, Foster would practically have to make a deal with the Devil to reach his goal. Enter
Nick Beal (Ray Milland), a diabolically handsome gent with a slick line of patter and a
smooth, infallible method of getting things done. Failing to recognize his benefactor's true
identity (after all, Nick has no horns or cloven hooves) Foster agrees to the deal when Nick
assures him that the end result is for the good of the people. To bind the bargain, Nick
sends out one of his most trusted associates, Donna Allen (Audrey Totter), to keep Foster in
line. When Foster finally realizes that he's sold his soul, there seems to be no way out..but
that's when the forces of Good, represented by Foster's wife Martha (Geraldine Wall) and
his clergyman friend Thomas Gaylord (George Macready), switch into high gear.