IMDb > Nightmare Alley (1947)
Nightmare Alley
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Nightmare Alley (1947) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   2,318 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Edmund Goulding
Writers:
Jules Furthman (screenplay)
William Lindsay Gresham (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Nightmare Alley on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 October 1947 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Film-Noir more
Tagline:
He was all things to all men ... but only one thing to all women!
Plot:
Stanton Carlisle is an ambitious carnie who plays scams alongside phony mentalist Zeena and her alcoholic husband Pete... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Film Holds Up Well more (65 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Tyrone Power ... Stanton 'Stan' Carlisle
Joan Blondell ... Zeena Krumbein
Coleen Gray ... Molly
Helen Walker ... Lilith Ritter
Taylor Holmes ... Ezra Grindle
Mike Mazurki ... Bruno
Ian Keith ... Pete Krumbein
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
110 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #12396)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The telephone numbers of the Helen Walker character, Consulting Psychologist Lilith Ritter, are STAte 9862 (for her Office in the Lakeshore Building) and ROGrs Pk 8685 (for her Residence in the Belmont Apartments), both adjacent to the Lake Michigan waterfront on the near north side of Chicago. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During Powers's cab ride away from Walker's apartment, the Chicago Theater is visible in the rear-projection behind the car. After several more minutes of driving, the cab turns around in front of the same theater. more
Quotes:
Pete Krumbein: Every boy has a dog. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Sanford and Son: Brother, Can You Spare an Act? (#5.6)" (1975) more
Soundtrack:
The Boston Burglar more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
31 out of 37 people found the following comment useful.
Film Holds Up Well, 20 June 2000
8/10
Author: harry-76 from Cleveland, Ohio

Tryone Power gave one of his finest performances in "Nightmare Alley." His off-beat role highlighted a strange and intriguing tale, and was a role which he reportedly fought hard to get, upon his return to film work following military duty.

Power proved he was capable of much more demanding parts than those normally given him. On screen most of the time, he displayed a flair for sound characterization and nuance, being endowed with an unusually fine speaking voice and diction.

Lee Garmes' cinematography and Thomas Little's set decoration are notable here, and the entire cast works in fine ensemble fashion. Only some plot details may seem a little obvious and predictable. That's probably because "Nightmare Alley" details have been copied numerous times by other film makers and, as a result, we're much more savvy now than 1947 audiences.

It was a particular treat to have an opportunity to see this film last week on a film society series in a beautiful 35mm print. The showing also reminded viewers how beautiful and effective black and white productions are, and how much they're missed.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Nightmare Alley (1947)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Deleted scene. Why? Texian04
Ambiguity of the movie and its characters mlraymond
Ian Keith's performance as Pete mlraymond
Line about geek only used once? mlraymond
I found the novel on amazon.com eva25at
Stanton and Molly ****Spoiler***** darqueknight
more

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