Nightmare Alley (1947)

[lester1/2jr]

        The dark pyschology of mankind is a frequent theme in film noir, but rarely is it explored as deeply as it is here.   Tyrone Power who almost always played the role of a hero, is well cast as an ambitous mentalist (translation:  con artist) at a carnival who comes in to the knowledge of a very effective code used to make people think you can read their minds.  armed with a distracting knowledge of biblical verse and connections in the audience that makes his job easier and more effective, he begins on a mission to fame and fortune full in the knowledge that he is a crook.  His beautiful (relatively) innocent young wife is powerless to stop him as he raises the stakes impossibly high and money and problems comes pouring in.  Yuo can't quite put your finger on it, but there is something very subversive about this.   that chiseling gullible people out of their money isn't a victimless crime or that not everyone who makes you feel better is helping you.  It may be a little allegorical for some but the story isn't unrealistic.  strong writing and unique subject matter make this an easy recommendation. 

[Rev. Powell]

Very cool find on that paperback cover, Les.  I love those old pulpy drawings.  Here's the movie poster:



Not nearly as cool in my mind.  Sex is in the foreground in the paperback, moved to the background for the movie poster.  I remember the movie, though I need to see it again.  It's dark, subtly surreal and definitely worth checking out.  Who doesn't like movies with carnival geeks? 

[lester1/2jr]

they always seem to be escaping though. the geeks


also a word of warning:  the commentary on the DVD is by two bilthering idiots who have nothing to do with the movie and have no clue about it or  any movie

[Rev. Powell]

Hey Lester 1/2, thought you might enjoy this.  Spengler mentions NIGHTMARE ALLEY on p. 2 of this Obama bashing article.

[lester1/2jr]

thanks.  that essay is intersting but he is really reading an awful lot into some very mundane facts in places.  But I suppose when someones legistlative record is as slight as obama's people are going to speculate like that.

[Rev. Powell]

I agree, it's a well-worded but poorly-reasoned article.  But pimping NIGHTMARE ALLEY adds to his credibility, IMO.

[Dave M]

That guy's ex-wife married C.S. Lewis.

[Rev. Powell]

That guy's ex-wife married C.S. Lewis.

Whose ex-wife?  Lester 1/2jr's? 

[Dave M]

William Lindsay Gresham