Fallen Angel (1945): Film Noir UK

Fallen Angel (1945) 

Director: Otto Preminger 

Starring: Dana Andrews, Alice Faye, Linda Darnell 

USA / 97mins / PG

Thrown off a bus for not having enough for the fare, Eric Stanton (Dana Andrews), a press agent down on his luck finds himself in a small Californian coastal town and begins to frequent a diner called "Pop's Eats" whose main attraction is a beautiful waitress by the name of Stella (Linda Darnell). In love with Stella but broke, Eric decides to marry June (Alice Faye), a wealthy but reclusive woman and plans to divorce her as soon as possible to get her money. However, an unexpected dark twist gets in the way of Stanton’s plans and throws him into a dark world of paranoia, betrayal, suspicion and death. 

Overshadowed by Otto Preminger’s earlier 1944 film noir, Laura, Fallen Angel (1945) has all the classic characteristics of 1940s noir. A fantastic cast makes this fun, moody thriller a must to see on the big screen. Especially with the stunning cinematography by Joseph LaShelle and showcasing Preminger's trademark fluid camera work and long takes, Fallen Angel demonstrates all of the director's intelligence, control and stylishness.

This unfairly neglected film noir is right for rediscovery as another classic from the 20th Century Fox back catalogue and was one of the key films that influenced Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation of Nightmare Alley (2021).

Screening produced by Film Noir UK for Borderlines 2022. With thanks to Park Circus.