Nightmare Alley
A roustabout joins a traveling carny and schemes to figure out the mind-reading act of Mademoiselle Zeena and her alcoholic husband.
Critics Sentiment
Stanton and Ritter conspire to manipulate wealthy clients using recorded sessions
Defeated Stanton gives Molly the money and sinks into alcoholism
The film's biggest drop occurs when Stanton's elaborate con scheme collapses and he descends into alcoholism, falling from his peak collaboration with Ritter to his lowest point before the final redemptive moment.
Critics consistently praised Tyrone Power's against-type performance and the film's unflinching portrayal of moral corruption, with the carnival-to-Chicago rise being particularly compelling. The middle section featuring the spiritualism con and Helen Walker's duplicitous psychiatrist represents the film's peak, while the rushed resolution of Stanton's fall slightly disappointed some reviewers. The haunting circular ending universally impressed critics as a masterful conclusion to this dark morality tale.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 45
Tyrone Power
Stanton 'Stan' Carlisle
Helen Walker
Lilith Ritter
Coleen Gray
Molly Carlisle
Joan Blondell
Zeena Krumbein
Taylor Holmes
Ezra Grindle
Mike Mazurki
Bruno
Ian Keith
Pete Krumbein
Roy Roberts
McGraw / Final Carnival Owner (uncredited)
Florence Auer
Jane (uncredited)
Bonnie Bannon
Knife Thrower's Assistant (uncredited)
George Beranger
The Geek (uncredited)
Oliver Blake
Hobo (uncredited)
June Bolyn
Maid in Grindle House (uncredited)
Chet Brandenburg
Carnival Patron (uncredited)
James Burke
Rural Marshal (uncredited)
George Chandler
Hobo at Stan's Left Hand (uncredited)
Harry Cheshire
Mr. Prescott (uncredited)
Edward Clark
J.E. Giles / Farmer (uncredited)
Clancy Cooper
Stage Manager (uncredited)
George Davis
Waiter (uncredited)
Crew
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