1078 Nightmare Alley

[Mr Sausage]

It’s more clear in the book, which is quite good by the way, but Cook’s character is getting the brunt of Spade’s homophobia and even calling him a gunsel is directed toward that direction.

I did vaguely recall that from the extras on the old Warner DVD set. The movie also implies that Greenstreet’s fatherly affection for Cook ought to have fatherly in quotes, which I’m assuming is also more explicit in the book. I can say at least that Spade’s homophobia comes across as deliberately rather than accidentally unpleasant.

Interesting comments, blus. Makes Nightmare Alley sound too stiff for its own good. Unwilling to bend either to The Maltese Falcon’s acidity or The Big Sleep’s relaxedness. Maybe a problem of too much old Hollywood poise?

[therewillbeblus]

Yeah, I think the filmmakers probably believed that it could ride on the wave of its perversity, and that that alone could carry the investment, but didn't stop to focus on the fundamentals of storytelling and characterization that are necessary for us to buy what it's selling

[FrauBlucher]

Eddie Muller has this listed at no. 7 on his top 25 noirs list

[Lowry_Sam]

Eddie Muller has this listed at no. 7 on his top 25 noirs list

Eddie Muller is great at introducing noirs at festivals and providing engaging commentary on discs. I have found his knowledge of films' productions and details about the lives of all involved to be both helpful and entertaining. However, looking at this list is a bit of a head-scratcher. To be fair, it's not titled 25 best or my favorite 25, but 25 he thinks will stand the test of time. It's also not clear how old that list is & whether he's revisited it. My guess would be that he made it in the late 00's, right after the UCLA restored The Prowler, hence its inclusion. As a Losey & noir fan, I had high hopes, but found The Prowler a disappointment. It (and maybe Moonrise & City That Never Sleeps) is the only title one doesn't often see on noir lists, so the list very much seems like a 25 popular faves list that he thinks people will continue to enjoy in the future. Many popular films that I have regarded as mediocre but must-sees because of their popularity are not on the list (e.g. The Postman Always Rings Twice, Sorry, Wrong Number, The Stranger), but I would probably add Nightmare Alley, and The Maltese Falcon from his list to that bunch. Otherwise I consider his choices solid, not from leftfield and worthy of a Criterion release (over Nightmare Alley). Interestingly only 1 of the top 3 has the classic noir convention of a working stiff running with a gun in hand through back alleys at night, getting into fights, etc. (with the other 2 taking place in the film industry).

[FrauBlucher]

Back in the day when I was on Twitter I asked him if his list changes much. He said not really. I love Eddie Muller on TCM. His intros and outros on Noir Alley are terrific. But my list is much different than his. Nightmare Alley wouldn't make my list

[domino harvey]

I like it because it feels like an authentic and organic list of someone’s favorites— a mix of classics, underseen gems, mediocrities, and awful movies. Just like I’d expect from anyone else who has seen a lot and has specific tastes. Now, I don’t think this list is all that helpful for those just starting out, but you could do worse

[Finch]

Honestly, the only choice that made me do a double take was Criss Cross at 2.