Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Discussions of new films, books, television shows, and media indirectly related to magic and magicians. For example, there may be a book on mnemonics or theatrical technique we should know or at least know about.
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Richard Kaufman
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Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 14th, 2005, 11:25 am

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Pete Biro
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Pete Biro » June 14th, 2005, 11:31 am

Glad to see it released. It is one great story and Power was terrific in the role.
Stay tooned.

Robert Allen
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Robert Allen » June 14th, 2005, 4:55 pm

I've had it on DVD a couple years at least and it is excellent. It's basically a morality play, but what a play. A very gripping movie in it's own right and obviously interesting to magician or mentalists.

PressureFan
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby PressureFan » October 16th, 2022, 3:13 pm

I’m watching Nightmare Alley (1947) for the zillionth time. It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, so it’s that or The Incredible Mr. Limpet.
I noticed the cut of the Tarot cards retains the top stock, then Zeena deals from the top. I wonder if that was for the movie or if it was actually ever used.

The scenes with Ian Keith are powerful.

Bob Farmer
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Bob Farmer » October 16th, 2022, 5:37 pm

I liked the original much more than the remake. The remake was too smooth, too glitzy.

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Dustin Stinett
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Dustin Stinett » October 16th, 2022, 5:39 pm

When I saw the subject line, I thought it was for the remake. I'm happy it's the original. The remake was okay, but the original is superb. It's rare indeed for one to dislike virtually every character in a film, but still love the movie. This DVD goes onto my Christmas list (the Boy Child always asks me what he should get me).

Edward Pungot
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Edward Pungot » October 16th, 2022, 7:56 pm

The Criterion Edition comes with 6 custom tarot cards plus an interview with Todd Robbins among other things
https://www.criterion.com/films/28571-nightmare-alley

Robert77
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Robert77 » October 16th, 2022, 9:58 pm

This made me dig out my old DVD-R copy, apparently made from a bad VHS transter. I need to get the new version.

Robert77
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Robert77 » October 17th, 2022, 12:25 am

Still an amazing movie. The ending wasn't quite how I remembered it though.

Diego
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Re: Good Review of the DVD Release of Nightmare Alley

Postby Diego » October 17th, 2022, 8:46 pm

The Criterion Edition is worth getting, with much more included than the 2005 dvd release. (the Blu-ray version has the 6 Tarot Cards) The latest edition still has the commentators who mostly show how little they know about the novel or 1947 film, but is optional to listen to.

But the segment with Todd Robbins is worthwhile, since so much misinformation has come out about sideshows lately, it is a relief and education to hear someone who has direct historical knowledge and experience. Likewise the interview with actress Coleen Gray. The stand-out is the commentary/analysis by Imogen Sara Smith, who gives the best historical analysis and observations, of the film that I've seen in years.


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