WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS A SPOILER. WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS A SPOILER. WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS A SPOILER.
It's not often that a film pops up on TCM that I haven't seen before, and it's a special treat when it's a "lost" gem, and this one is that in that for years it could not be shown on television.
And, this is a gem for several reasons. First because here Thomas Mitchell -- though getting third billing -- is the real star of film as a politician. He has the most screen time by far, and the story really revolves around him. And it's a fine performance.
Ray Milland is, essentially, the Devil here, although it takes quite a while early in the pic to fully realize that. It begins to dawn on the viewer fairly early that there's something supernatural here, but at first you wonder if Milland is sort of a fallen angel with good intentions. One murder later and you know that's not true. Milland is good in the part, and his career is full of interesting parts where he clearly refused to be typecast. Good for him!
Audrey Totter -- not exactly leading lady material -- is here (sort of). But rather than say leading lady, I'd say "key player". She does well.
George Macready is good as a political minister of sorts. Fred Clark has an important, though minor role as a crooked political hack. Geraldine Wall, with whom I was not familiar, was very good as Mitchell's wife. Veteran character actor Henry O'Neill is here in a minor role as a judge. And young Darryl Hickman has a small role.
So the story is good (in fact, I was tempted to give it an "8"). A politician gets involved with Old Scratch, though gradually without really realizing what is happening to him. The question is: will he sell his soul to the devil and, if so, will he be able to break that contract?
Highly recommended.
I should also mention that about 7 years later an episode of "Father Knows Best" called "Mister Beal Meets His Match" supposedly had an appearance by Ray Milland. I just watched that episode. No sign of Ray Milland from beginning to end.
It's not often that a film pops up on TCM that I haven't seen before, and it's a special treat when it's a "lost" gem, and this one is that in that for years it could not be shown on television.
And, this is a gem for several reasons. First because here Thomas Mitchell -- though getting third billing -- is the real star of film as a politician. He has the most screen time by far, and the story really revolves around him. And it's a fine performance.
Ray Milland is, essentially, the Devil here, although it takes quite a while early in the pic to fully realize that. It begins to dawn on the viewer fairly early that there's something supernatural here, but at first you wonder if Milland is sort of a fallen angel with good intentions. One murder later and you know that's not true. Milland is good in the part, and his career is full of interesting parts where he clearly refused to be typecast. Good for him!
Audrey Totter -- not exactly leading lady material -- is here (sort of). But rather than say leading lady, I'd say "key player". She does well.
George Macready is good as a political minister of sorts. Fred Clark has an important, though minor role as a crooked political hack. Geraldine Wall, with whom I was not familiar, was very good as Mitchell's wife. Veteran character actor Henry O'Neill is here in a minor role as a judge. And young Darryl Hickman has a small role.
So the story is good (in fact, I was tempted to give it an "8"). A politician gets involved with Old Scratch, though gradually without really realizing what is happening to him. The question is: will he sell his soul to the devil and, if so, will he be able to break that contract?
Highly recommended.
I should also mention that about 7 years later an episode of "Father Knows Best" called "Mister Beal Meets His Match" supposedly had an appearance by Ray Milland. I just watched that episode. No sign of Ray Milland from beginning to end.