November 3rd: NIGHTMARE ALLEY (Edmund Goulding, 1947)

An ambitious carnival worker turns con artist and becomes a popular stage mentalist.

Traumatized Spanish Civil War veteran William Lindsey Graham wrote the novel Nightmare Alley in the late 1930s after hearing sordid stories of carnival life, and while his work was banned and censored in some areas it was well-received. 20th Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck was convinced to purchase the film rights without knowing the extent of the book's depravity.

For the lead role, Zanuck tipped matinee idol Tyrone Power, known up to that point for his charming, earnest persona in swashbucklers and romance films. The actor relished the opportunity to try something outside his wheelhouse. Cast in another prominent role was the brassy Joan Blondell, a veteran and one of the most successful performers of the 1930s.

Zanuck feared the subject matter would alienate his Power's fanbase, so unlike many film noirs of the period, the production was given a lavish budget in attempt to increase its prestige. Along these lines, studio mainstay Edmund Goulding was chosen to direct, despite (and because of) much of his body of work being of the "woman's picture" variety (including the Best Picture-winning Grand Hotel). The script was written by Jules Furthman (The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not).

A giant carnival (one of 90 sets in the film) was built over 10 acres of the Fox lot, with various carnival workers brought in as advisors. The cinematography was done by Oscar-winner Lee Garmes (Sternberg's Morocco, Ophüls' Caught). Goulding's attention to detail permeated the production from his hands-on approach with the actors to the art direction and the costumes, as well as various pieces of music he composed for the film.

Despite a new ending conceived demanded by Zanuck, the film does not hesitate to wade in the murky, amoral waters provided by the source material. It received mixed reviews due to the revulsion to caused, most of the praise deferred to the actors. Zanuck already had another typical Power film ready for release to quickly disperse any negative affects Nightmare Alley might have on his valuable property.

It is now regarded as one of the darkest and decadent film noirs, and counts director Pedro Almodovar among its fans. Power himself considered it one of his career peaks. The story was recently adapted into a graphic novel as well as a stage musical.

Running time is 1 hr, 50 min.