Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

It's funny how some movies can have an impact in everyday life even is it's just a word or expression taken from that movie…In this case it's the title of the film which became a well-known phrase.

How many times has someone thought, is he, or she, "Gaslighting" me? I know there have been times in the years I've been married that I've wondered, is hubby Gaslighting me, when I have misplaced something or thought I've done something that wasn't done. Kidding around with him I've asked him that question, yet with a bit of seriousness, when I could have sworn I had done whatever it was that was in question, even though in my heart I know he is too good a person to think that deviously or devilishly.

But for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, "Gaslighting" means one person, for very evil or wicked reasons, attempts to drive another person insane or to think they are crazy by manipulating them into believing something that is not the truth or not really happening.

Such is the case with the classic movie Gaslight starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Joseph Cotten. It also featured 17 year old Angela Lansbury in her first acting role.

This movie, made in 1944, is one of the best, most unique mystery thrillers of its time. There are two versions of this film. The story is taken from a play, which was then made into a movie in 1940 and filmed in England. The DVD I watched had this first version so I watched a bit of it just to see the difference and even though it was basically the same story, it couldn't compare to this remake which had a much higher budget and of course better actors and a better director. Still it was interesting to compare them.

Basically the story starts out with a murder which has taken place in Victorian London. It is a foggy dreary night when a young women is led from her house after her famous opera singer Aunt, Alice Alquist, who has taken care of her since her parents death, is found dead, murdered and her niece, Paula Alquist, (Bergman), is whisked away from the scene by horse drawn carriage in a very fragile state of mind.

We see a newspaper which says, "Thornton Square Murder Unsolved, Strangler Still At Large"

10 years later, we meet Paula again living in Italy with her new guardian, a maestro of music who is now teaching Paula how to sing, though it seems she doesn't have the talent of our aunt. We also meet Gregory Anton (Boyer), who is working with the Maestro as the piano player. When Paula gets upset that she can't sing as well as her Diva aunt did, it is Gregory who calms her down and befriends her. Before long a romance develops and they get married.

The plot thickens when, by dubious maneuvering, Gregory mentions he would love to live in London in a little quaint neighborhood, where he could complete his studies of music or whatever it was that he did, which never is quite clear. "But I own a house in London" she says, even though she really doesn't want to go back to that house of murder, he diabolically has a way of making her think it's her very own idea and it would be OK to live there again, after all, years have passed she has a husband now who loves her!

It is then this mysterious story of mental torment begins. At first she seems able to live there after they fix up the house….At Gregory's insistence they store all the aunts' old belongings and furnishings in the attic, then close it off. And, only Gregory has the key! They hire servants, that is where Nancy, the young maid, (Lansbury), comes in, and begin their new life. But it is a life Paula doesn't expect as things start to go way beyond normal.

It is here you want to scream at the scream, Paula, get out of there now while you still can, but alas, then there wouldn't be much of a movie left.

At first the lights dim, hence the term "gas lighting" since this was before electricity so gas was the only means of light. The lights continue to flicker and noises are heard overhead coming from the sealed attic. Paula has trouble remembering where she put things. Each day something more insidious happens and she begins to think that her memory is going, that she is hearing things nobody else does and especially those gaslights, which keep brightening and dimming. She becomes paranoid and unsure of herself…Even Nancy the maid frightens her.

Of course Gregory seems at first bewildered but we soon suspect something isn't kosher in this house. He tells her she should go to bed, to rest and keep to herself. He discourages her to even go outside, much less attend parties they are invited to or to see friends or neighbors, especially one neighbor, Miss Bessie, (Dame Mae Whitty), who is always flittering about outside, curious about Paula.

One day they do go for an outing to visit the Tower of London…Just before leaving the house Gregory gives Paula a brooch which she puts in her purse. Off they go to the Tower where they meet a stranger, Inspector Brian Cameron of Scotland Yard, (Cotten). While they admire the Crown Jewels, Gregory has a strange gleam in his eye. Inspector Cameron seems to have a gleam too when he sees Paula. Actually it turns out he had been quite an admirer of her famous aunt…. Later she can't find the brooch. I could have sworn I put it in my bag she insists…Off to bed with her to "rest".

Time passes and Paula decides to attend a big musical gala at an old friends house and it is there we meet the inspector once again. But Paula has another episode and goes home in despair. What is wrong with her everyone wants to know?

Meanwhile things are still going bump in the night as this gothic tale continues under the gaslights.

I don't want to give anymore of the story away because there are still some big reveals and quite a lot of mysterious, bizarre and malicious events to come as Paula seems to be threatened by her very own house in her own house.

One of the best things about Gaslight, in my humble opinion, is the way this movie was filmed. In black and white, the images are stark with shadows at every turn, playing a major role as the story is told. Film noir at its best. George Cukor directed and this is considered one of the best examples of his work. Boyer is compellingly evil and, as his character's story is revealed, he turns out to be much more involved then when he was first introduced. Ingrid Bergman was terrific in this role and received an academy award for her performance, her portrayal of this vulnerable, terrorized woman, torn by what is happening around her and her belief in what she knows or thinks she knows was deserving of that Oscar. Boyer and Lansbury were also nominated for awards that year

So all in all, I really recommend Gaslight very highly to anyone who enjoys good scary fun, twisted plots and strange gothic stories with a lot of atmosphere as well as good acting, the way it was done all those many years ago. So dim your lights, sit back and enjoy but beware if your lights begin to flicker.

As I mentioned, included also on this DVD is the 1940 version of Gaslight and it is interesting to compare the two. An interview by Pia Lindstrom, Bergman's daughter where she tells a little history about the making of this movie that adds a bit of insight into the film. Angela Lansbury is also interviewed where she recalls how this movie was the beginning of her career at 17 years old along with some memories of working with George Cukor

I'm adding this review to Stephen Murray's write-off featuring all Black and white movies as well as my write-off featuring all things French and British.

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older