Angel Face (1953 film)

Angel Face is a 1953 American film noir directed by Otto Preminger, starring Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons, and featuring Leon Ames and Barbara O'Neil.

Angel Face was produced under a tight 18-day schedule beginning in June 1952, with a budget under $1 million. Preminger, reportedly hired by Howard Hughes to pressure Simmons over contract disputes, clashed with both Simmons and Mitchum while filming on location in Beverly Hills, California. During one scene, Mitchum famously slapped Preminger after repeated takes. Despite on-set conflicts, Simmons later recalled enjoying the production. The film was released on February 11, 1953. Critics praised the film's stylistic rigor and psychological depth. Alain Silver highlighted its exploration of destructive sexuality through Preminger's visual composition and Mitchum's performance. Jean-Luc Godard ranked it among the top American sound films.