Review: Edmund Goulding's Moody 'Nightmare Alley' Gets The Criterion Treatment

It was announced a couple years back that Guillermo del Toro was set to adapt William Lindsay Gresham's despairing film noir novel "Nightmare Alley" for the big screen. But looking back at Edmund Goulding's 1947 adaptation, starring Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell, it becomes abundantly clear that del Toro has his work cut out for him in transforming Gresham's dark, moody and psychological work for the big screen. Hell, Goulding's adaptation stands as a bit of proof that great ambition only goes so far when trying to depict the minutiae of the grift. Yet, the 1947 version is supported by some of Hollywood's greatest talent of the time and is more than a bit successful at being a grimdark film noir.

The Criterion Collection brings "Nightmare Alley" to Blu-ray for the first time ever, boasting a new 4K digital restoration from a 35mm nitrate composite print that's truly stunning and makes this harder-to-see film look better than ever. Add in a few special features and a terrific booklet essay by writer Kim Morgan, and you have the definitive release of the film (not that there was any competition). Also included are some Tarot cards that make for nice collectibles.

"Nightmare Alley" tells the story of Stanton Carlisle (Tyrone Power), a small-time carny trying to learn the ways of the mind-reading Mademoiselle Zeena (Joan Blondell) while the madam's drunk husband lingers on the peripheries. Stanton's journey to learn the grift only pushes him deeper into despair, culminating in an event that will change him forever.

Back in 1947, and even still today, "Nightmare Alley" has been categorized for being nightmarishly brutal. I mean, one of the main characters ends up having to eat live chickens in front of an audience in order to be successful. It's all laced with postwar angst, though, as the effects of WWII on American society still linger and pose a threat. There's a solemnity to the proceedings rather than any astute social observations, but it's still anchored by incredible performances and a story that's about as dour as it gets for the film noir genre.

There's a new 30-minute interview with critic Imogen Sara Smith that does wonders in explaining the ecosystem that gave "Nightmare Alley" life in 1947, including Tyrone Power's own wishes to sidestep his matinee-idol image for this specific film. If you're a fan of the genre, then I'd recommend you pick this edition up.

Other special features include:

� Audio commentary from 2005 featuring film historians James Ursini and Alain Silver
� New interview with performer and historian Todd Robbins
� Interview from 2007 with actor Coleen Gray
� Audio excerpt from a 1971 interview with Henry King in which the filmmaker discusses actor Tyrone Power
� Trailer
� English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

"Nightmare Alley" is now available on Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.