Alias Nick Beal (1949) | |
| Director(s) | John Farrow |
| Producer(s) | Endre Bohem |
| Top Genres | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | |
Featured Cast:
Alias Nick Beal Overview:
Alias Nick Beal (1949) was a Mystery - Drama Film directed by John Farrow and produced by Endre Bohem.
SYNOPSIS
In this modern retelling of the Faust story, an honorable judge who believes he can better serve society in a higher office makes a pact with a mysterious benefactor who is really Lucifer - alias Nick Beal - and whose identity is not revealed until the judge climbs the political ladder to become governor of his state. It is up to the governor, along with a faithful friend and his supportive wife, to outwit Lucifer and save his soul from damnation.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Alias Nick Beal BlogHub Articles:
Classic Films in Focus: ALIAS NICK BEAL (1949)
By Jennifer Garlen on Apr 30, 2025 From Virtual ViragoThe Faust story has inspired many revisions over the centuries, so it's no surprise that director John Farrow's 1949 film noir, Alias Nick Beal, re-imagines the familiar tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil and comes to regret the bargain. In this version, however, it's not the Faust charac... Read full article
Alias Nick Beal (1949): Ray Milland’s a Devil
By 4 Star Film Fan on Oct 21, 2020 From 4 Star FilmsThis is my entry in the CMBA Politics on Film Blogathon. Alias Nick Beal handily flips the paradigm of cinematic angels in vogue with Hollywood, specifically during the 1940s. You could make a whole subgenre out of them. As its name suggests, the lynchpin character of the whole movie is Nick, though... Read full article
Alias Nick Beal (1949)
By Raquel Stecher on Nov 30, -0001 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film BlogIt's a story as old as time. A mortal sells his soul to the devil for what he really wants only to suffer the consequences later. Bargaining with evil always comes at a cost. "I'd give my soul to nail him." - Joseph Foster Joseph Foster (Thomas Mitchell) is a good man by all accounts. He's devot... Read full article
Alias Nick Beal (1949)
By Raquel Stecher on Nov 30, -0001 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film BlogIt's a story as old as time. A mortal sells his soul to the devil for what he really wants only to suffer the consequences later. Bargaining with evil always comes at a cost. "I'd give my soul to nail him." - Joseph Foster Joseph Foster (Thomas Mitchell) is a good man by all accounts. He's devot... Read full article
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Quotes from Alias Nick Beal
Nick Beal: Maybe you'd better give up.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: Did anyone ever paint your portrait?
Nick Beal: Yes. Yes, Rembrandt in 1655.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: The island of Almas Perdidas. There's no such place listed in the atlas or on this globe.
Joseph Foster: Well, that's the way the contract reads.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: But if the island doesn't exist, I'm sure the contract is invalid.
Joseph Foster: Tom, the thing is I signed in good faith. I gave my word, in effect. The last six months, I've been acting selfishly, in bad faith. Well, I'm through doing that. I'm through going against my conscience.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: Your conscience tells you to go with Beal? Why don't you talk to Martha?
Joseph Foster: She's gone away somewhere. Besides, if this is what you're hinting at, if there's something strange about it, I don't want to involve her.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: Then you admit the possibility?
Joseph Foster: I don't know.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: Do you know Spanish?
Joseph Foster: No, I...
Rev. Thomas Garfield: I wondered if you knew what the translation of the island of Almas Perdidas was. The island of Lost Souls. Strange, isn't it?
Joseph Foster: But that can't be.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: I know. As you once said, it's the wrong century for superstition, for werewolves, vampires, and devils, for evil enchantments and black magic. But Joseph, I do know this: Spiritual problems exist today just as they did in earlier centuries. The battle between good and evil still goes on. We all fight it, every day of our lives. When you found the courage to renounce the governorship, you expiated your sins. You confessed. You washed yourself clean. That was your battle, and it was with yourself, not with Beal. He can't make you go anywhere or do anything if you're no longer willing. Don't you realize, Joseph, you've already won. Forget Beal. Go to Martha who remembers you as you were, as you still are. She still loves you. The two of you can make a fresh start together. She's at my house.
Joseph Foster: Thanks, Tom.
Rev. Thomas Garfield: Behind the decision of every man, I've found there's generally a woman.
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Facts about Alias Nick Beal
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 8, 1949 with Ray Milland reprising his film role.
A marquee from Loew's Delancy Theater (NYC) showing this film is shown near the end of The Naked City behind actor Paul Ford.
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