Tags
1940's, Angela Lansbury, Charles Boyer, Gaslight, George Cukor, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, May Whitty, Mystery, Thriller
Film Title
Gaslight
Director
George Cukor
Starring
- Ingrid Bergman as Paula Alquist Anton
- Charles Boyer as Gregory Anton
- Joseph Cotten as Brian Cameron
- Angela Lansbury as Nancy Oliver
- May Whitty as Miss Thwaites
A mystery thriller from Hollywood’s Golden Age, Gaslight holds up thanks to strikingly eerie direction, outstanding sets and superb acting, that add up to a film of chills.
It is Victorian times in London and a renowned opera singer Alice Alquist has just been found strangled in her home. Her young niece Paula, who found her body, is sent away to recover from the shock. Years later in Italy, Paula is a vibrant lady who has been training in music, but doesn’t quite have the passion for it. Her thoughts are elsewhere as the suave composer Gregory Anton has taken a shine to her and they have begun a relationship. Before too long, the couple are married and contemplating where to live. Gregory insists on going back to London and while Paula is obviously apprehensive of returning to the house where the horrific events unfolded, she agrees. Once back in the house is when strange happenings begin to happen, especially for Paula. Gregory informs her that she is forgetful and implies that she has been stealing things, of which Paula has no memory of. The new maid Nancy is impertinent and saucy around Gregory, while seemingly holding disdain for the mistress of the house.
At night, the gaslights in her room dim mysteriously and she hears noises coming from the locked up attic. It is here that we learn that Gregory is the one orchestrating these events in order to drive Paula over the edge, while he searches for something that remains in secrecy. Little by little, Paula becomes withdrawn, paranoid and terrified of what she will become as her frail hold on events withers away and Gregory’s cruel plan begins to have results. But she may just have an ally in Brian Cameron, an Inspector for Scotland Yard begins to take an interest in Paula, as he smells a rat and isn’t convinced that Paula is going insane. It all boils down to whether or not he can help Paula or she can deduce the sinister plot afoot.
Meticulous craftsmanship is employed in every sense of the word by the great George Cukor, who wrings out the suspense in teasing suggestion as well as getting to the female heart of the story of manipulation. His hand is most definitely sure in his painterly brush strokes to suggest the menace that will engulf Paula slowly and cruelly after a deceptively sunny opening. Cukor’s biggest success is his hold on the tension and threatening shadows of the story, as Paula is slowly slipping into paranoia in accordance to the nefarious plans of Gregory, which he cloaks in significant mystery. All of it leads to a very satisfying conclusion that bubbles with menace and reversal of fortunes. There are a few little foibles in the film, like some dates stretches and leaky plot points, but in the long run, these skirmishes are of the minuscule variety that can be easily forgotten when considering the taut effectiveness of the overall movie. Gaslight is also a splendid evocation of Victorian London with rolling banks of fog and billowing candles is strikingly rendered, plus there are the expressive and well-designed sets to admire. This is the kind of movie where the visuals and story are largely of a stellar standard, in the tradition of MGM, who at the point of this film where churning out pictures of splendor and excellent, of which Gaslight qualifies easily. The cinematography is simply a marvel of spooky atmosphere, with certain shots bringing a flickering and shimmering malice and creepiness to the film in reference to the title. A supremely grand score begins with quiet and haunting notes of encroaching terror and then switches things up to heighten the spiraling descent of Paula.
The great Ingrid Bergman is the star attraction of Gaslight, contributing a thoroughly sensitive and strong portrayal of a woman being driven to near madness by her husband’s schemes. Bergman’s role is an emotional one that she plays wonderfully and that immediately gets you to sympathise with her. Bergman gets across a clarity, radiance and wrenching vulnerability that fit the part admirably, it really isn’t a surprise that she won an Oscar for her tortured and exquisite role here. It has to be one of her finest parts in an illustrious career of greatness. Charles Boyer is nastiness and insidious charm personified, emerging as an oily wolf in sheep’s clothing that is doing everything in his power to convince both his wife and everyone else that she is mad. There is something just very eerie about Boyer and his work here, which is perfectly employed within the character as the niceness of his personality slips into a more cruel being of malevolence and subterfuge. In what is probably what you’d call the hero role, Joseph Cotten makes for a very moral and good-hearted presence as the inspector who could be Paula’s saviour in all of this underhandedness.
Angela Lansbury made her debut here at the age of 17 and boy does she have fun with the role of the sassy and rude maid, who sneers and flirts her way through the house with a glint of mystery in her eyes. May Whitty is on delightfully dotty form as the nosy next door neighbour who is always after a bit of scandal or gossip.
Some elements aren’t what they once where, but these are minor things that are papered over in the creeping mystery and excellence of Gaslight. An old-fashioned chiller, it’s a rewarding exercise in tension and ambience.
Good to see you looking for inspiration so far back, V. Lansbury was brilliant in that role, and all the cast were at the top of their game at the time. I haven’t seen this one in years, but I have never forgotten it.
Good call mate.
Cheers, Pete.
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I think actors in general back then where always good and had to know how to act without relying on effects. I love Angela Lansbury, she has been going for over seven decades and is a consummate professional. Who doesn’t love her?
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this is an excellent film.
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I very much agree, a good old Hollywood thriller from the iconic MGM.
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Thank you for the excellent review. This is a legendary movie, I have seen it many times on TCM, I love it and never tire of it. A young Angela Lansbury is fascinating in her role! As an old movie buff (esp. film noir) I thank you for the great post.
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It’s a classic of mood and story. I wouldn’t expect any less considering the talent both in front and behind the camera. Angela Lansbury really showed star potential in her debut. Oh and I love old movies too, noir is very good.
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I agree completely regarding the degree of gifted actors, directors, screen play writer, on and on 🙂
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It’s a good meeting of greats for an excellent movie. You never get movies like this anymore.
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That’s so true…that’s why I haunt the classic movie channel.
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You can’t beat Old Hollywood, so many great movies came out of it.
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a bygone era, so fabulous.
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It had the glamour, the stars and the movies. What more could you ask for?
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It’s very nostalgic to go there, things were so very different, so simple.
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Where’s a time machine when you need one?
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Great review, I caught this earlier in the year, a classic piece of Hollywood cinema, you can tell everyone is having a good time making this. Thanks for sharing.
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Everyone brough their A game to this chiller.
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I LOVE this movie! I know what you mean about the plot holes, but everything else is so well done, I didn’t mind. It’s funny because I just posted a review on an upcoming book whose theme in a way concerns gaslighting, but it was a big disappointment for me.
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Yes the flaws are very small that one can forget them as the rest of the film is so well mounted. Ingrid Bergman was excellent in conveying deep fear here. It was good to see Angela Lansbury too.
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Great review V~man, a classic film noir that still holds it’s own today.
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I love it when a movie from a long time ago still has enduring popularity. This thriller had it in droves.
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Excellent! One of my favorite classics. You spend the entire film being scared and frustrated for the lovely Ingrid! Adore!
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The casting of Ingrid Bergman was inspired. She projected a deep feeling of fear and an innocent aura that it was impossible to not want to shield her from harm.
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Excellent review !!!
🙂
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Thank you very much.
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I haven’t heard about this movie, but it definitely sounds fascinating. Beautiful review.
– Lashaan
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It’s an elegant mystery of ever there was one.
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I have heard of this movie, but I have not seen it myself. It’s great to shed light on classics like this though. I pretty much don’t care about when a movie was made, if I like it: I like it. I always have respect for the classics. Great post, thanks for sharing this one 😀
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I’m like that, I’ll watch anything, regardless of age. To be honest, a lot of the older movies are some of the best and better than things now.
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I totally agree with you on that 😀 Some of the movies are simply timeless, and at times I wonder why bother with a remake/reboot, which seems to be all the rage these days.
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Old School movies are the best. The acting is always on point, as well as the writing and directing. People really made fantastic movies back in the day.
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Hi Vman, your not going to believe this but a few weeks ago our cable channel ..called Turner Classic Movies showed a whole week of ingrid burgman movies, and i saw partsd of this one. it was late and i kept dozing off. but..i just couldnt go to bed:)
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That;s the power of classic movies, you can’t help but continue watching. I love watching old movies.
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me too Vman, i always have
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They hold such great memories and at times are a lot better than modern movies.
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totally agree with you V
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They sure don’t make them like they used too!
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Lovely review! I don’t watch nearly as many old films as I should, considering how much I’ve enjoyed the ones I have watched. Cinematography is definitely something I look for in a movie and this one sounds like its beautifully made. I’ll definitely be adding it to my watch-list!!
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Thanks. I need to dig into many old classics when I get the time. So many greats from the olden days.
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For sure! Part of my plans for the holidays is to catch up on all the oldies I’ve missed out on.
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I like the sound of that plan. I may do the same.
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I have totally forgotten about this gem. Reading your review I realisedon’t I have to watch it again. Probably more than 20 years since I saw it. I liked I think but have to revisit… bad memory 😆
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Ehrm meant I have to re watch.. stupidphoneputtingwordsinmymouth 🙂
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I understood you, I too sometimes type the wrong words.
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Yeah thank god. Big finger small phone 😆
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It happens to the best of us.
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I like sparking the memories of people. That’s what movies are all about after all.
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Superb acting. And what an amazing and clever premise.
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It was a really twisting story of manipulation, played to perfection. Did you see my latest sexy post?
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Only briefly. Wasn’t an appropriate time to look at it. Will go back later.
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Oh I get you, check back later dude.
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Wow, I enjoyed reading this. I’ve never heard of this movie, but I’d like to see it now.
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Is it a solid mystery thriller from the Golden Age.
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Oh man I saw this AGES ago on TVO. Damn, I need to see this again!
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Definitely a classic thriller to watch again.
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Great movie but if you get the chance, see the original British version as it is even better.
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I had no idea there was another version until now.
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It was only released a few years earlier – MGM bought it up, pretty much suppressed it for 40 years and remade it almost shot for shot.
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I enjoyed reading that trivia.
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Trivia really should be my middle name …
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It definitely should.
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Lovely, I really need to see this.
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I highly recommend it.
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Another great review of another fantastic film! I saw it for the first time a year ago because I was referred to it by someone who had been the victim of a narcissist. I also had a friendship with a narcissist which was hugely disturbing – the term gaslighting which is what narcissists do actually originates from this movie and when I saw it, it shook me to my core because it was very similar to what I had experienced. Anyway, I don’t want to to be rambling on on here. Just wanted to say I really like your reviews, very in-depth. Thanks for stopping by my site because I would not have found your blog otherwise. I’ll be sure to come back when I have more time 🙂
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I’m sorry to hear you where on the receiving end of gaslighting. Thanks for giving my blog a look over.
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I’ll definitely be back! 🙂
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That is music to my ears.
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I actually like this better than the original British version, which doesn’t tend to be in tune with the consensus view. I like what is sometimes criticized about the film – the gloss and polish that MGM typically brought to the movies, the meticulous set dressing and decoration that created that unreal but powerfully attractive Burbank-on-Thames look.
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As I haven’t seen the original, I can’t really judge. I too am a fan of the polished gloss of it. It gave an elegance to the movie.
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Angela Lansbury got an Oscar nomination here and I’d say it was well deserved. It’s often forgotten what a fine and distinguished film actor she was over many decades.
As”a rewarding exercise in tension and ambience” Gaslight makes for a good companion piece to similar thrillers such as Hitchcock’s Rebecca and Suspicion.
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Very well deserved, it’s amazing how long she has been acting for. As for your last sentence, that world make a fine triple bill.
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Just so scary
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It’s an incredibly atmospheric movie.
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