I liked this a lot, somehow having managed not to see it before. I am indebted to other reviewers for the information regarding Darryl Zanuck, Alice Faye and Linda Darnell. Seemingly Zanuck, head of Fox was dating Darnell and insisted on her part being beefed up at the expense of that of Faye. When she discovered, at the preview, a whole lot of her scenes had been given the chop, she was so annoyed she stomped out not to work again in film for many years. Now, here's where I differ with some viewers, I think it was a mistake. Darnell is good as the sluttish café worker, going out with everyone who asks, but when we see Faye with her hair down towards the end and playing dynamic scenes we surely realize that without intervention, Preminger's film would have been just that little better balanced. As it is it is still great to watch for the wonderful cinematography and dialogue. What's also good is that we are left in doubt, almost till the very end, just who the murderer was and hence why there was a killing anyway. Most enjoyable.
Review of Fallen Angel
