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TCM Movie Alert: Nightmare Alley

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May 04, 2019, 04:03 PM
parabellum
TCM Movie Alert: Nightmare Alley
Tonight at midnight and tomorrow at 10 AM, Noir Alley is airing something special in the canon of film noir- Nightmare Alley, which I referenced in this post.

This is IMO Tyrone Power's best performance, but, because the film was out of circulation for so many years, he didn't get the credit. He was very good the year before, in The Razor's Edge (with the same director, Edmund Goulding) but Power's interpretation of Maugham's Larry Darrell pales in comparison to the Great Stanton.

If you're interested in film noir, or if you're interested in great performances in 20th Century cinema, do yourself a favor and catch this film.


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"I am your retribution." - Donald Trump, speech at CPAC, March 4, 2023
May 04, 2019, 04:45 PM
Jim Shugart
I'll be there; thanks for the heads up.



When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth. - George Bernard Shaw
May 04, 2019, 10:25 PM
George43
quote:
Nightmare Alley


Thanks Para. I'm not very experienced in "Film Noir". This may be an eye opener for me.


A gun in the hand is worth more than ten policemen on the phone.
The American Revolution was carried out by a group of gun toting religious zealots.
May 04, 2019, 11:21 PM
JSW
An excellent movie, and my favorite Tyrone Power film. It’s actually surprising to me that back then the studio would have let one of their biggest stars make it. I do believe they did make him change it to a happier ending though.



Wilsonblog
May 05, 2019, 01:36 AM
YooperSigs
It my second viewing of Nightmare Alley. Possibly the darkest story in Noir.
And Powers best role, hands down.
And the cinematography is excellent, among the best.


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
May 05, 2019, 08:49 AM
Jim Shugart
It'll be on Watch TCM for the next week. When I settle down to watch a film in the evening, this has become the first place I check out. I plan to watch this at least one more time.



When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth. - George Bernard Shaw
May 05, 2019, 12:15 PM
Sailor1911
Thanks for the heads up. Watched it and really enjoyed. Surprised that I have not seen it before.




Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark.

“If in winning a race, you lose the respect of your fellow competitors, then you have won nothing” - Paul Elvstrom "The Great Dane" 1928 - 2016
May 05, 2019, 01:26 PM
YooperSigs
Next week: James Cagneys most over the top role:
White Heat
Virginia Mayo is the best gun moll, ever!
More a WB crime film than Noir, but still...


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
May 05, 2019, 01:32 PM
ZSMICHAEL
He loves his Ma! His saving grace.
May 05, 2019, 03:49 PM
TexasRaider
quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
If you're interested in film noir, or if you're interested in great performances in 20th Century cinema, do yourself a favor and catch this film.


We recorded it, weren't available last night but gonna watch tonight. My wife and I love Eddie Muller's "Noir Alley", he does a brilliant job. In fact, at times his long openings and closing monologues are as good as the film itself. Looking forward to it in a few hours...


________________________________________
"Just A Wild Eyed Texan On a Manhunt For The World's Most Perfect Chili Dog...."
May 05, 2019, 08:11 PM
Patrick-SP2022
I recorded this last night and watched it a little earlier.
There weren’t many likable characters.

I came across this article when looking for some information about the novel.

Filming of a remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio begins this fall.
https://variety.com/2019/film/...re-alley-1203157581/




May 06, 2019, 11:26 AM
ZSMICHAEL
Excellent performance by Tyrone Power. Interesting to see that the author ended up just like the character. I wish Zanuck left off the "happy ending". At least it did not include a successful stint in alcohol rehab.
May 06, 2019, 08:22 PM
parabellum
quote:
Originally posted by Patrick-SP2022:
Filming of a remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio begins this fall.
https://variety.com/2019/film/...re-alley-1203157581/
Well, that's interesting. It seems like Leonardo DiCaprio is in everything, doesn't it?

Eddie Muller and his Film Noir Foundation are responsible for renewed interest in this film. I know why Hollywood is remaking it (because they are bereft of any original ideas, and feed off of the past), but they should have chosen some other film to mimic, because despite the flawed ending, the 1947 film is still so very good, it cannot be surpassed.


____________________________________________________

"I am your retribution." - Donald Trump, speech at CPAC, March 4, 2023
May 06, 2019, 08:30 PM
ZSMICHAEL
quote:
Eddie Muller and his Film Noir Foundation are responsible for renewed interest in this film. I know why Hollywood is remaking it (because they are bereft of any original ideas, and feed off of the past), but they should have chosen some other film to mimic, because despite the flawed ending, the 1947 film is still so very good, it cannot be surpassed.

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I agree. I can imagine Hollywood would sex up the role of the female psychologist as well and change the location to Malibu rather than Chicago. Most young people are not at all familiar with "freak shows", and carnival barkers and I am sure the GEEK would not be poliically correct. Besides people would think they are referring to Best Buy Tech support.



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May 09, 2019, 07:42 AM
NK402
Funny, the things you remember. Many years ago, my mother and father went to see a traveling road show performance of the play, John Brown's Body. The actors included Raymond Massey and Tyrone Power. I remember my mother coming home and stating that Tyrone Power was the most handsome man she had ever seen. I wish I remembered my father's reaction to that statement.