{"id":31131,"date":"2013-05-02T10:39:46","date_gmt":"2013-05-02T17:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=31131"},"modified":"2022-11-25T12:13:49","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T19:13:49","slug":"gaslight-1944","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=31131","title":{"rendered":"Gaslight (1944)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Jewels are wonderful things; they have a life of their own.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Poster-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-31133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Poster-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Poster-86x128.jpg 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA manipulative jewel-fiend (Charles Boyer) weds the niece (Ingrid Bergman) of a woman he murdered years ago, intending to slowly drive her mad in order to safely search her house for her aunt&#8217;s hidden jewels &#8212; but a curious detective (Joseph Cotten) living nearby soon begins to suspect Boyer may have something to do with the aunt&#8217;s unsolved murder case, and investigates the situation.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Angela Lansbury Films<\/li>\n<li>Charles Boyer Films<\/li>\n<li>Detectives and Private Eyes<\/li>\n<li>Domestic Abuse<\/li>\n<li>Gaslighting<\/li>\n<li>George Cukor Films<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Ingrid Bergman Films<\/li>\n<li>Joseph Cotten Films<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nAs Peary notes, this &#8220;venerable psychological melodrama&#8221; &#8212; <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gas_Light\">based on a popular 1938 play by Patrick Hamilton<\/a>, originally starring Vincent Price &#8212; is a &#8220;terrifying study of how a husband can dominate and abuse his wife through manipulative words and actions as easily as with fists&#8221;. He writes that while &#8220;Bergman won Best Actress Award for her convincing portrayal of a victimized woman&#8221;, it&#8217;s &#8220;Boyer&#8217;s slimy cad who makes an unforgettable impression&#8221; &#8212; indeed, in his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>, Peary names Boyer Best Actor of the Year, and argues that he is &#8220;marvelous as this sick fiend who drives Paula [Bergman] to the edge with his accusing eyes and manner, but quickly and nervously pulls back each time he goes so far that she might see through him&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer2.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In his more in-depth analysis of Boyer&#8217;s performance, Peary writes that this &#8220;villain&#8230; is unique in the cinema and one of the most dastardly men ever portrayed&#8230; yet&#8230; one monster that no one will dispute exists in the real world&#8221;; he &#8220;never lets up on [Paula], always acting smug and patronizing, using her name as if it were an icepick: &#8216;You are inclined to lose things, Paula&#8230;&#8217;; &#8230; &#8216;Are you becoming suspicious as well as absentminded, Paula?'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to strong lead performances by Bergman and Boyer, the film remains a satisfying thriller thanks to &#8220;unusually powerful direction by George Cukor&#8221;, as well as highly atmospheric cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg and an &#8220;intricate scenic design&#8221;. With that said, the level of tension in the storyline suffers a bit from our knowledge at the outset that Boyer&#8217;s character is a murderous cad &#8212; and that Cotten (giving an undistinguished performance) will eventually come to Bergman&#8217;s assistance; the bulk of the film&#8217;s suspense lies in wondering how and when Bergman will finally come to realize she&#8217;s being duped. But while Peary argues (in <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>) that throughout most of her performance she merely acts &#8220;docile and dazed&#8221; &#8212; and &#8220;only at the end&#8230; does [her] character switch from being infuriatingly ignorant to interesting&#8221; &#8212; I disagree:  luminous Bergman is as compelling, convincing, and nuanced here as always. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman2.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch for a young (17-year-old!) Angela Lansbury in her debut role as a tarty maid, and Dame May Whitty (providing mild relief from the film&#8217;s otherwise relentlessly gloomy air of oppressiveness) as a snoopy neighbor.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1417\" height=\"1035\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2.png 1417w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2-1024x748.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Whitty2-370x270.png 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1417px) 100vw, 1417px\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Peary points out that &#8220;an earlier [cinematic] version [of the play] was made in England in 1939-40, but MGM kept it out of circulation to benefit its own film&#8221;; this original version &#8212; co-starring Anton Walbrook and Diana Wynyard &#8212; is a worthy film in its own right, and recommended as an interesting comparative study. The two films are available as a double-feature on the 2004 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1101gas.html\">DVD release<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ingrid Bergman as Paula<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Bergman-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Charles Boyer as Gregory (named Best Actor of the Year by Peary in his <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Boyer-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Joseph Ruttenberg&#8217;s atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Cinematography1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Cinematography1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Cinematography1.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Cinematography1-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Cinematography1-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Paul Huldschinsky&#8217;s Oscar-winning sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Sets.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Sets.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Sets-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Sets-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Strong direction by Cukor<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Direction.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Direction.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Direction.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Direction-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Gaslight-Direction-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for the lead performances, and as a fine thriller. Also be sure to check out the original 1940 British version. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Genuine Classic<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0036855\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1944\/05\/05\/archives\/gaslight-adapted-from-play-angel-street-at-capitol-hardys-blonde.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.reelviews.net\/php_review_template.php?identifier=2157\">Reelviews Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1101gas.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.filmsite.org\/gasl.html\">FilmSite Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/166\/gaslight#articles-reviews\">TCM Articles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Jewels are wonderful things; they have a life of their own.&#8221; Synopsis: A manipulative jewel-fiend (Charles Boyer) weds the niece (Ingrid Bergman) of a woman he murdered years ago, intending to slowly drive her mad in order to safely search her house for her aunt&#8217;s hidden jewels &#8212; but a curious detective (Joseph Cotten) living nearby soon begins to suspect Boyer may have something to do with the aunt&#8217;s unsolved murder case, and investigates the situation. Genres: Angela Lansbury Films&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=31131\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31131"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88447,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31131\/revisions\/88447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}