Fallen Angel (1945)

In the small town of Walton, California, Eric Stanton, a down-on-his-luck press agent, is thrown off a bus for not having the fare. He wanders into a local diner where he meets Stella, a captivating waitress. He is immediately drawn to her, but she makes it clear that she's not interested in his advances unless he has money.

Stanton concocts a plan to win Stella's affection. He cons his way into a job promoting a phony psychic, Professor Madley, and in the process, meets June Mills, a wealthy young woman. He marries June for her money, intending to leave her and run off with Stella. However, his plans are complicated when Stella is mysteriously murdered.

Stanton becomes the prime suspect in the murder investigation, led by retired cop Mark Judd. Despite his initial intentions, Stanton finds himself falling for June, who remains loyal to him even after learning of his deceitful plans. With her support, he investigates Stella's murder, uncovering a web of secrets and lies within the small town.

As Stanton gets closer to the truth, he realizes that anyone could be the killer. The townspeople harbor their own hidden motives and desires, making it difficult to pinpoint the culprit. The investigation takes unexpected turns, leading Stanton down a dark and twisted path, where he must confront his own demons and make a choice between his desires and his conscience.

CAST:
Alice Faye as June Mills
Dana Andrews as Eric Stanton
Linda Darnell as Stella
Charles Bickford as Mark Judd
Anne Revere as Clara Mills
Bruce Cabot as Dave Atkins
John Carradine as Professor Madley
Percy Kilbride as Pop
Olin Howland as Joe Ellis