Most of us are familiar with the term ‘gaslighting’. Where did the term come from? From the play on which this Holywood film is based. Paula Alquist’s aunt, a famous opera singer, is murdered in their London home and Paula goes off to Italy to also train as a singer. Ten years later she returns with her charming new husband, Gregory Anton. She then starts to notice strange things: missing pictures, mysterious footsteps and the gas lights dimming for no apparent reason. She thinks she is losing her mind. What exactly are her new husband’s intentions.
This is a remake of a 1940 British version, also called Gaslight. It is equally as good but does not have the big names, Bergman (the absolute No. 1 female star at the time), Boyer, Cotten and Angela Lansbury as the flirtatious maid. You can watch the British version for free on YOUTUBE. Gaslight is probably the quintessential Hollywood mystery drama: set in London, dark atmosphere, the lead is a bit of a ‘bounder’ and the female lead, although initially rather pitiful, eventually finds the strength and sense to fight back.
The film received 7 Oscar nominations and won a Best Actress accolade for Bergman and also Best Art Direction.
Certificate: A
1 hour 54 min
PRIME (£3.49)
Director: George Cukor
Cast: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotton