Nightmare Alley (1947)

“THIS RAW, BITTER DRAMA OF THE TOUGHER SIDE OF TRAVELLING CARNIVAL LIFE MAKES FEW CONCESSIONS” – DAILY TELEGRAPH (AUSTRALIA)

Usually cast as a romantic lead, Tyrone Power goes well against type as a carnival worker who uses the codes of a fake mind reader to become a dinner-suited, blindfolded ‘mentalist’ in a reputable Chicago night club.

Carny life at its most realistic, this film noir exposes the ‘lower depths’ of the entertainment world and has grown in reputation. Recently remade with a cast including Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Here’s a chance to see the original in a brand new 4K restoration on the big screen.

“The characterizations in Nightmare Alley are studies in film noir. People are shown as venal, gullible, and obsessed with success at any price.”

• Joan Cohen

“One of those films mentioned in lowered voices, a guilty secret, to be screened at midnight behind closed doors…”

• John Baxter

Introduced by James Vaughan, filmmaker, director of FRIENDS AND STRANGERS, Member of the Cinema Reborn Organising Committee

To read John Baxter’s insightful program notes on Edmund Goulding and this film’s place among the greatest film noirs, click here.

Rating

M

Cast

Tyrone Power, Joan Blondell, Coleen Grey, Helen Walker

Director

Edmund Goulding