Nightmare Alley is a film I was introduced to back in the 90’s after reading an old interview with the Ramones where it was stated this was an older favorite film of the band, and an inspiration behind the song “Suzy is a Headbanger”. The Ramones being a band I haven’t gone a week without listening to in 30 years, I had to check it out, and was not disappointed. This month, Criterion, decided to add some “geek” blood into their collection with this Tyrone Power noir-oddity from 1946.
The film stars Power as Stanton Carlisle a carny with extreme ambition. Rather, than just live and let live in the easy-going carny life, he wants to move up in the entertainment world. To this end he tries to find new and better ways to entertain. To this end he connects with Zeena played by Joan Blondell. She has a gimmick to work an audience, once Stan learns it, however, he betrays her, and takes off with the innocent Molly (Colleen Gray). The pair become a nightclub sensation, and are sent into the stratosphere with their act. Of course, the higher Stan goes the more corrupt he becomes, and things begin to crash around him.
Nightmare Alley is such a fantastic noir. Using Tyrone Power who was basically a tough guy leading man to such sleazy delight was an absolute coup. His performance as a confident trickster working his way up, and then a paranoid man on the decline is just fascinating to watch. The direction by Edmund Goulding is marvelous. He really sets the carnival tone and trickster vibe early on, not just for the Power character, but for the film itself, and all the major players. There is not a boring moment in this one.
Criterion presents Nightmare Alley in a fantastic 1:37:1 1080p transfer with excellent contrast, and pleasing detail. Audio is handled with an LPCM mono track in English that comes through clear and without issue. Extras include a commentary track with film historians James Ursini and Alain Silver, we also get multiple on camera interviews some old, some archival including Henry King, Colleen Gray, and more. There is a trailer, a printed essay, and 6 tarot cards. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.