MovieChat Forums > Nightmare Alley (1947) Discussion > Well Acted, But Very Dark

Well Acted, But Very Dark

posted 16 years ago by joeparkson
7 replies | jump to latest

I can see why Power wanted to do this movie, but I can also see why the studio didn't want him to do it.

Tyrone plays a semi bad guy here, but you don't get the same enjoyment out of watching him as you do when you see E.G. Robinson in 'Key Largo' or James Cagney in 'White Heat'.

You watch this movie with a morbid fascination the way you can't stop staring at someone's badly scarred face.

Power proved he was more than just a pretty face with this movie, but where could he go next with this new screen persona?

[–] BAcker5150 16 years ago

Very true. Powers was tired of playing the "pretty boy" roles he was getting and wanted to try bad guys and more challenging roles.

This is a great movie not a lot of people know exists. All of the actors did a fine job and the story is solid.

[–] freakyfelix 16 years ago

Yeah, I recently rewatched this movie and was surprised at how well it still plays.

It's consistently eerie and very well-acted by Powers and the rest of the cast. The story is very disturbing, and it's got one of the great depressing film noir endings, it will stay with you a long while if you like off-beat stuff.

[–] BlondeVixen 15 years ago

I have never seen a movie or t.v. episode with a carnival backgroud, that wasn't dark, creepy, or just plain scary. There's always this seedy side to it, or nightmarish mind tricks.

Power's rise & fall/change in appearance, reminded me of another fine film of the dark & off-beat....The Portrait of Dorian Gray.

[–] micaofboca 15 years ago

I love your posts, BlondeVixen. You're one of the good guys (gals). Freaks was a little scary, too, and George Sanders was so great in The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Too bad he committed suicide, but his note saying life was too boring was pretty funny. Thanks for your kind remark about my parents' experience meeting Boris Karloff. You're so very kind and I really enjoy reading all of your past posts. They make for a positive and rewarding experience. Cheers, luv. I'll think of you on Christmas Eve when I watch Ernest Thesinger's role as Marley's undertaker in Alistair Sim's version of Scrooge. I hope this message doesn't get lost in cyberspace and it gets to you.

[–] BlondeVixen 15 years ago

Thank you micaofboca. I enjoy your posts as well.

Yes, Freaks was another good one with a very dark, carnival background. I forgot about that one.

In loving memory of Dad
Jun.6, 1923-Nov.8, 2009
He put the color in our lives

[–] micaofboca 15 years ago

God, Blonde Vixen, My Dad was born in 1923 and just died in September of 2009. What a coink-a-dink. I'm so sorry for your loss. My father was the whole world to me (I was born in 1947) and now that he's gone I only have one brother left since my Mom and my older brother recently died as well. I know this is of no interest to anyone in the whole universe except my family, but it's nice sites like this bring out the warmth in some people (like you) although I'd say a good 30-40% of posters are meaner than Stalin. Keep treating so people warmly, hon. Believe me, it doesn'ty go unnoticed or unappreciated. Don

[–] BlondeVixen 15 years ago

Wow that is a coincidence about our dads being same age & both dying recently! Was your dad a WWII vet? Mine was. And thanks for those very kind words, that's good to hear! I wish my co-workers were as nice, lol.

I'm also sorry about your recent losses in your family, that's tough to take in a short time span.

There's nice regular posters on Jean Harlow board, they don't attack others. I rarely come across a snarky reply to me. But some of the boards are plagued by trolls on a daily basis. Mostly the boards about current movies or controversial stars get a lot of messageboard battles.

In loving memory of Dad
Jun.6, 1923-Nov.8, 2009
He put the color in our lives