Yes Sir Tyrone Power Sir

Did you know that in 1942 at the ancient age of 28, just as his career was really hitting its stride (he'd just starred in The Mark of Zorro, Blood and Sand, and The Black Swan, three of his best pictures) Tyrone Power enlisted in the Marines, grew a hot mustache, and became a fighter pilot for World War II? He was hardly the only celebrity who fought in the war, and his "advanced age" kept him from flying combat missions, but he volunteered for cargo flights and ended up carrying the wounded out of big battles like Iwo Jima. He walked away in 1945 with a heap of medals for his service.

I bring this up because 1) it's Memorial Day Week, and 2) Criterion just released Power's greatest film according to me, 1947's Nightmare Alley, onto blu-ray today! Sure this came well after his service but you have to imagine the darkness of War was lurking in his imagination when he became fixated on getting this dark dark dark Noir made. (There's a lot on the disc's Special Features about how determined he was to play this role, even to the detriment of his career.) Anyway Criterion's 4K restoration looks absolutely stunning and you need to check out this disc, especially before Guillermo Del Toro's remake with Bradley Cooper comes out later this year. Now hit the jump for a couple bonus snaps of Sexy Stached Marine Tyrone with his military friends...