A near perfect noir and yet, at the time of release, spurned by the studio themselves. Well, that's Hollywood! Anyway, we now have a superb DVD release and can all enjoy this wonderful film. From the great opening to the very end , this is all good, if very downbeat storytelling. Actually, a 'happy ending' has been tacked on at the very end, but I wouldn't imagine after all that has happened by then anyone would be taken in by it. there is a solid performance from Joan Blondell as the slightly, going to seed, 'mind act' performer and tarot enthusiast, Coleen Gray as the innocent would be femme fatale and a brilliant turn by Helen walker as the real thing with bells on. Wow, it is such a great performance, sexy, lovable but pure steel beneath the skin, a performance all the more impressive seeing as she was still recovering from a car crash and had limited movement. Mind you with such looks to kill, she had she didn't need to move very much. Tyrone Power turns in the performance of his career and it is a tragedy for him and for cinema that the studio should have so made certain that he did not get the re-launch he so wanted with this. This film is an absolute must see and you can be sure that whatever you are expecting you will be pleasantly surprised.
Review of Nightmare Alley
