“Nightmare Alley”—a pet project becomes a film noir classic

Nightmare Alley (1947) is a film noir directed by Edmund Goulding, produced by George Jessel and starring Tyrone Power, Joan Blondell, Coleen Gray, and Helen Walker.

The plot surrounds Stanton “Stan” Carlisle, a low-level carny who aspires to greater things. He manages to get by with his good looks, charm, and quick wit. On the surface, it appears that he cares about people, but he’s just using them on his way to the top. The film narrative is a dark one, one that 20th Century-Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck didn’t want to make.

Power was to 20th Century-Fox what Clark Gable was to M-G-M; he was the studio’s top box office draw. Power enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He was released from active duty in 1946. Zanuck was anxious to get Power back on the screen. Power wanted to make Nightmare Alley, but Zanuck thought it was inappropriate for the handsome leading man. Power struck a deal: he would star in the more commercial The Razor’s Edge if he could also star in Nightmare Alley.

Zanuck relented, but his heart wasn’t in it and when the film was released and wasn’t an instant hit, he discontinued promotion and pulled the film from distribution.

Edmund Goulding (1891 – 1955) was a screenwriter and director. His directing career started during the silent era, but he moved easily to talkies directing some of the best-remembered films from Hollywood’s Golden Age including Grand Hotel (1932), Dark Victory (1939), The Old Maid (1939), and The Razor’s Edge (1946).

George “Georgie” Jessell (1898 – 1981) was an actor, singer, songwriter, vaudeville star, and film producer. If you’re a Baby Boomer, you may know him as the “Toastmaster General of the United States,” due to his numerous gigs as master of ceremonies at political and entertainment events. Jessel originated the role of The Jazz Singer on the stage.

Tyrone Power (1914 – 1958) was a major movie star as well as a star on stage and radio. He was one of the biggest box office draws of the 1930s and 1940s. Power was under exclusive contract to 20th Century-Fox where his image and film choices were carefully selected by studio head Zanuck. After the war, Power wanted to stretch his acting past romantic comedies and swashbuckler roles. Nightmare Alley was Power’s personal favorite of all his films.

Joan Blondell (1906 – 1979) was an American actress who was a top movie star during the 1930s and early 1940s. Later in her career, she became a popular character actress. Some of Blondell’s early films include The Public Enemy (1931), Gold Diggers of 1933, Dames (1934), and Stand-In (1937).

Colleen Gray (1922 – 2015) was an American actress who was under contract to 20th Century-Fox in the 1940s. She was in another famous film noir, Kiss of Death (1947) with Victor Mature and Richard Widmark. She also had a role in Red River (1948) with John Wayne. In the 1950s she started working in television, guest-starring in many popular shows of that period.

Helen Walker (1920 – 1968) was a film actress during the 1940s and 1950s. After a quick start in Hollywood, working with stars like Alan Ladd and Fred MacMurray, a car accident resulting in the death of hitchhiker, stunted her career.

Below is a link to the film on YouTube. Be sure to follow this link because it’s the best print out there. There are many versions of Nightmare Alley on YouTube that are inferior and of poor quality. You want to view the best possible version of this film.



Join us for a discussion on May 26 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Zoom meeting links below.

Stephen Reginald is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Discussion of "Nightmare Alley"
Time: May 26, 2020, 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77499958394?pwd=MWo0ODc5YXM2L2ozYmQ3M05TY0NFZz09

Meeting ID: 774 9995 8394
Password: 4R5L4v

Questions for discussion:
1. What did you think of Tyrone Power’s relationships with women in the film?
2. Did you have any sympathy for “Stan,” Power’s character?
3. What did you think of the women in Stan’s life?
4. Were all the women victims of Stan’s schemes?
5. What did you think of the ending? Was it realistic? Did it surprise you?

“Tyrone Power: Man, Myth & Movie Idol” Centennial Celebration

The Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building Celebrates  “Tyrone Power: Man, Myth & Movie Idol” Centennial Celebration 

The Nation’s Largest Exhibit Of Authentic Memorabilia Honors His Life

Hollywood, CA, November 5, 2014 - The Hollywood Museum debuts “Tyrone Power: Man, Myth & Movie Idol,” celebrating Tyrone Power, sexy stage and screen idol of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, and his centennial birthday year with an intimate retrospective curated in collaboration with his son, Tyrone Power, Jr. This special exhibition will take an ‘inside’ look at the life, passions and career of the handsome star of more than 50 films, best known for his swashbuckler roles, romantic leads and striking good looks. The exhibit is on display November 14 through January 11, 2015, at The Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building located at 1660 N. Highland Ave. at Hollywood Blvd.

Tyrone Power in Jesse James

Power was one of the top male sex symbols of Hollywood’s golden era, from 1936 to 1958. He became an overnight sensation at just 22 years old and made more than 50 films during his career. Six months after his breakout role in Lloyd’s of London (1936), his hand and footprints were memorialized in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Power was nicknamed “King of the Movies” by his fans and was also recognized as “King of the Fox Lot” (20th Century Fox Studios).

“We are delighted to spotlight one of Hollywood’s greatest legends and heartthrobs whose star talents transcended motion pictures, radio, live theater and television,” said Donelle Dadigan, Founder and President of The Hollywood Museum.

The “Tyrone Power: Man, Myth & Movie Idol” exhibition explores Power’s personal life including many illustrious romances, three marriages and three children. The comprehensive collection includes never before displayed items gathered from family, friends, private collectors and The Hollywood Museum archives.

Highlights of the Exhibition includes: 

•Costumes worn by Power include the iconic matador “suit of lights” from Blood and Sand (1941); embroidered pants from The Mark of Zorro (1940); black tailcoat with silver buttons from Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake (1942); black hat with red feathers from Captain from Castile (1947); navy suit from The Luck of the Irish (1948) and much more.

•Costumes worn by Power’s co-stars include a black gown worn by Maureen O’Hara in The Long Gray Line (1955), a pink brocade gown worn by Wanda Hendrix in Prince of Foxes (1949), a crème silk with fur trim jacket and gown worn by Gene Tierney in That Wonderful Urge (1948), a red sequin costume worn by Coleen Gray in Nightmare Alley (1947), a chartreuse ball gown from Marie Antoinette (1938) starring Norma Shearer; a vest worn by Don Ameche in In Old Chicago (1937) among many others.

•Behind the Scenes in Hollywood include Power’s silk brocade dressing gown; personal mementos and photos provide a private look at Power’s many romances, three marriages, cars, friends and family.

•Hollywood History - Power kept a copy of scripts from all of his movies. The exhibit includes scripts from The Razor’s Edge (1946), Blood and Sand (1941) and three 1937 films: Thin Ice, Love Is News and In Old Chicago. This collection also includes lobby cards, posters, press kits, press books and sheet music from songs in his many films.


Collectors includeTyrone Power, Jr., Taryn Power, Romina Power, Maria Ciaccia, Debbie Beno, Cindra Reaume Webber and The Hollywood Museum Archives.

For Exhibit Photos: Click here

About Tyrone Power:
Power appeared in a wide variety of film genres, from musicals to comedies, from westerns and swashbucklers, to dramas, showing a remarkable acting range. Before he made it in Hollywood, Power began his career on Broadway, mentored by stage actress Katharine Cornell. Scouts spotted him in a play and he was signed by 20th Century-Fox, becoming their top leading man for many years. He worked with most of the famous actors and directors of his time, including directors such as King Vidor, and actors Humphrey Bogart, Raymond Massey, Jeanne Crain, Alice Faye, Al Jolson, Cesar Romero, George Sanders, Loretta Young and Lana Turner, with whom he had a well-publicized romance in 1946. He also had liaisons with Judy Garland and Mai Zetterling.

Gene Tierney with Power in Son of Fury:
The Story of Benjamin Blake

Power took time out of his career to serve his country as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot in World War II, flying wounded soldiers out of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His father, actor Tyrone Power, Sr., died in the arms of his son while on a film set. Power Jr.’s own life was cut short at the age of 44 when he had a heart attack on the movie set of Solomon and Sheba (1959). Actor Yul Brynner replaced him in the film. During his career, Power turned down a number of powerful roles including Burt Lancaster’s role in From Here to Eternity (1953) and Richard Burton’s lead role in The Robe (1953).

About The Hollywood Museum In The Historic Max Factor Building:
The Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building houses over 10,000 real showbiz treasures and the most extensive collection of Hollywood costumes, star cars, props, posters, photographs and memorabilia in the world showcasing more than 100 years of Hollywood history. Discover the glamour of old Hollywood from Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks to Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio and Elvis Presley. Experience the excitement of today’s Hollywood stars from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, to Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Lo, Miley Cyrus, George Clooney among many others. The Hollywood Museum is also home to Max Factor's world-famous makeup rooms where Marilyn Monroe became a blonde and Lucille Ball first donned her signature red hair. Exhibitions spotlight Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit, Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell movie set from The Silence of the Lambs The historic photo gallery and the official walk of fame exhibit. The Hollywood Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

Location: 1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd). Hollywood, CA 90028
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm
Tickets: General admissions $15, $12 for students and seniors; and $5 for children five and under.
Museum information: (323) 464-7776 | The Hollywood Museum
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