'Deals with the Devil' form a distinct genre of folktale, fiction, and film. In this 1946 version of the old tale, gangster Paul Muni tries to outwit Old Nick, played by Claude Rains, who's always a treat. The devil wants the gangster to end the career of a judge. The gangster has a change of heart. Getting there is all the fun.

Note to Florida Sailor: We would NOT have said that Hell felt like Florida. That was the lady of negotiable affection. The dialogue is just plain funny in places. And it manages to be heartwarming, the while we watch Claude Rains eyeroll his way through the part of the Ancient Deceiver.

Apparently, the producers changed the film's title to Angel on My Shoulder, because its working title – Me and Satan – didn't sound like a really big box office draw. Fans of the Edited Guide will note that the music is provided by the ever-resourceful Dimitri Tiomkin, our favourite Ukrainian cowboy composer.

This might seem a bit old-fashioned and campy to some, but others might get a chuckle out of it. Either way, it's a milestone along the fantasy entertainment road.