PIC of the Week – Nightmare Alley
Article Series by Ray Schillaci
If you like your film noir dark as you can get, Criterion has delivered it with the 1947 film of one man’s journey into the recesses of a Nightmare Alley. Just about any film, TV or streaming, that involves a carnival hooks me right away. From the 1932 movie Freaks to HBO’s Carnivàle, I’m a sucker for the darkness that surrounds that life. It can be sleazy, mysterious and downright scary. That’s probably why famed writer/director Guillermo del Toro is traversing that road once again with a more in-depth version of the 1946 novel by William Lindsay Gresham. Del Toro has also rounded up a cavalcade of talent with Cate Blanchett, Bradley Cooper, Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, Richard Jenkins and Ron Perlman.
Once you see the original movie starring Tyrone Power (The Mark of Zorro, Captain From Castile, Witness For The Prosecution) as the carny that ruthlessly climbs the ladder to notoriety, you will know exactly what del Toro has planned and how on point his casting is, which makes viewing this film all the more exciting. Some may find this movie a product of its time and somewhat dated, but the story, direction and the creepy black and white cinematography makes the whole watch well worth while.
Stanton “Stan” Carlton is a born con man. He is also a barker for a seedy little traveling carnival. A “barker” is the guy that calls out for your attention to games of skill and sideshows. He’ll do anything to suck you in. We open with Stan aghast while witnessing the sideshow geek. He can’t imagine how low one can get to be a part of such an act. One of the workers reveals to him it takes just enough alcohol.
Stan works with mentalist Mademoiselle Zeena and her husband Pete. The couple used to be the talk of the town when playing vaudeville until Pete became an alcoholic, although he has not been reduced to a sideshow geek since his wife keeps him under control. Zeena stays with him out of guilt since it was Pete that originally made them stars on the stage due to a secret code he invented.
Once Stan gets wind of the highly kept secret, he woos the older Zeena to recreate the act with him. But, Zeena is too dedicated to Pete. The only way Stan would ever have a chance is if Pete passed away. Stan helps that matter with a bottle of moonshine and soon becomes the hit of the carnival with the help of Zeena and a much younger and attractive Molly.
Stan eventually sets his sights on Molly, but keeps it quiet since he prefers not to be tied down. This secret tryst does not last long once the other carnies find out and they force Stan to marry her. Stan’s presence is not welcomed at the carnival and he takes his new wife and act to the big city where they play to packed nightclubs. He becomes well known as “The Great Stanton”, bamboozling unsuspected patrons.
One night, a very astute psychologist, Lilith, and her guests witness Stan’s act. She attempts to stump him in front of his audience. But, Stan is far too smart and outwits her. She’s impressed and asks him to her office. The meeting is a little abrasive between the two and before he leaves, Stan discovers that Lilith records all her patients’ sessions. This gives Stan more fuel to move his act up and take advantage of the rich.
What ensues is dark, uneasy and keeps us in suspense until the very end. Tyrone Power, once known as a “matinee idol” with his dashing good looks, turns it all around with a ruthless performance. Joan Blondell sheds her beauty image playing the aging and weathered Zeena. The rest of the supporting cast blends into this wonderful film noir and adds to the underbelly of it all except for Coleen Grey who plays Molly. She remains true at heart and the one bright spot in all the grime and grit.
The new digital transfer was recreated in 4K resolution. This is the best this picture has looked, but far from perfect since it is a film from the ‘40s. Black levels are sharp which is very important for film noir. Visual can be soft at times. This could be the result of D.P. Lee Garmes’ extraordinary lens that gives an angelic glow to the character of Molly. Garmes was famous for lensing 1932’s Shanghai Express and the original Scarface.
Surprisingly, there is much subtlety with the LPCM 1.0 soundtrack and free of scratches, pops and hisses. The surrounding night noises are captured eerily around the carnival. At the same time, the loudness of the sideshow life is recreated beautifully.
Criterion grants us with a number of extras that should delight film noir fans. Over an hour’s worth of supplements along with screen captures of Tarot cards. Bonuses as follows:
• Trailer – a vintage trailer for Nightmare Alley. In English, not subtitled.
• Todd Robbins – new program, performer and sideshow historian Todd Robbins explains how actual carnival shows were staged, and specifically the ‘freak shows’, and the business environment that existed in carnival troupes. Nightmare Alley and its portrayal of the carnival businesses is addressed as well. The program was produced for Criterion in 2021. In English, not subtitled.
• Coleen Gray – in this archival interview, actress Coleen Gray recalls her involvement with Nightmare Alley. There are some particularly interesting comments about the manner in which Tyrone Power was cast by Twentieth Century Fox and his ‘classic’ image as a ‘pretty boy’ in Hollywood. The interview was recorded by filmmaker Patrick Francis in 2007. In English, not subtitled.
• Henry King – presented here is an excerpt from an archival audio interview with director Henry King that was conducted by Thomas R. Stemple in January 1971 and recorded as part of the Darryl F. Zanuck Research Project for the American Film Institute’s Oral History Collection. In it, the director discusses his work with Tyrone Power, who appeared in eleven of his films. In English, not subtitled.
• Imogen Sara Smith – in this new video interview, critic Imogen Sara Smith, author of Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City, discusses Nightmare Alley. The interview was conducted for Criterion in New York in January 2021. In English, not subtitled.
• Commentary – this archival audio commentary was recorded by film historians James Ursini and Alain Silver in 2005. It was included on Twentieth Century Fox’s 2005 DVD release.
• Leaflet – an illustrated leaflet featuring screenwriter Kim Morgan’s essay “The Fool Who Walks In Motley…” as well as technical credits.
• Tarot Cards – six tarot cards. (See screen captures).
It should be noted that the esteemed director Edmund Goulding did an outstanding job capturing the carny environment and the moodiness of Stanton Carlton’s sleazy life. Goulding was responsible for such iconic films as Grand Hotel (’32), Dark Victory starring Bette Davis, and The Razor’s Edge also starring Tyrone Power. Now is the time to purchase Nightmare Alley or at least pay it a visit at The Criterion Channel.
Lowest Price – $27.99 (Blu) – Best Buy – this title is so popular it’s already on backorder on several sites. If you can’t wait Amazon has it for $39.99 or if you have the patience, Barnes & Noble has their 1/2 off sale in July and the price will be $19.99.
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