GASLIGHT
US, 1944, 114 Minutes, Black and White.
Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Dame May Whitty, Angela Lansbury.
Directed by George Cukor.
Gaslight is a very enjoyable melodrama, very well made. Patrick Hamilton's play was the basis for an English film, Angel Street with Diana Wynyard and Anton Walbrook in the late 30s. MGM bought the rights to this film and ordered the negative destroyed before they made their own. The film was out of circulation but not entirely destroyed.
This adaptation received the MGM treatment of the 40s: superb set work, black and white photography, musical score, good stars. The recreation of Victorian England is quite effective and there is a very sinister house. Ingrid Bergman won her first Oscar for this performance. (she was to win for Anastasia in 1956 and Murder on the Orient Express in 1974). Charles Boyer, a popular romantic hero, is very effective as the husband menacing his wife into madness. Joseph Cotton is the ordinary hero policeman. Angela Lansbury in her first film is quite striking as the parlour maid. Direction is by George Cukor who has directed many fine films over many decades and guided many stars to Academy Award wins. Gaslight is excellent entertainment.
1. The film's reputation, acclaim in its time. considered as a classic now?
2. MGM's technical treatment. the black and white photography, decor and settings. musical score finesse of the 40s?
3. Was it evident that the film was an adaptation of a play? The confined locations, the ominous atmosphere of the house, Thornton Square itself, the contrast with these scenes in Italy. in homes outside the square?
4. Audience involvement in the structure: the ominous opening and the suggestion of murder and its effect on Paula the passing of ten years and Paula's growing up and following in her aunt's footsteps as regards music, the atmosphere of romance with Anton, the mystery and menace of the house and Anton himself. the confrontation between the two and the drawing of all the strands together? How satisfying as a draw?
5. How plausible was the plot? The details of Anton's background,. his relationship to Paula and her aunt, his search for the jewels? This kind of story in Victorian setting and costume - did it seem more plausible?
6. How well did the film create and communicate the atmosphere of the house. its memories? The subjective view of the house by Paula? Miss Thwaites and her curiosity, creation of atmosphere? The rooms, the staircases. the attic? The ominous noise in the roof the flickering of the gaslight etc.? An atmosphere of menace and fear?
7. The film making Paula the focus? Ingrid Bergman's award winning performance? As a young girl, her memories? Her singing but her love for Anton? The train trip and the distraction of Miss Thwaites yet with the connection of Thornton Square? Anton's meeting her in Como, and the idyllic nature of the honeymoon - with the ominous suggestion of living in England,, in her house? The arrival the atmosphere of the Square the sequences of Paula's arriving in the house. terrified but her strength in subduing her fears? The indication of the letter and the change of tone from then on?
8. Anton and Charles Boyer's style, suave charm, romantic? His behaviour in Naples, Como, persuading Paula to go into the house, be at ease? The sudden change with the discovery of the letter? When did the audience become suspicious of his real intentions?
9. How well did the film dramatise the changes of moods,, the effect on Paula and her not being certain about things, the brooch and the Tower of London (and Anton's comments on jewels), the letter, the invitation to the concert and t the incident with the watch and Paula’s humiliation? Cameron watching Paula go in and out of the house? How convincing was Paula's growing dementia?
10. The contrast with the character of Cameron, his curiosity, his work with the police, the link with Paula's aunt and the explanation with the glove?
11. The characterization of Nancy and her sauciness towards Paula? Elizabeth and her deafness and its use, her loyalty?
12. The contrast with the society sequences, especially the concert? Miss Thwaites and the commonsense and humorous atmosphere of her curiosity?
13. How well did the film build up to a climax? Cameron and his observations, collaboration of the policeman? Elizabeth's role? Cameron's explanation to Paula? Anton and his discovery of the jewels and coming in by the barricaded door? The confrontation with Paula and her fearing she was mad and dreaming of Cameron's presence? Elizabeth's loyalty, the confrontation with Cameron?
14. The impact of the special pleading sequence? Anton explaining himself and pleading for her sympathy, Paula's vengeance and the intensity of her feeling?
15. Themes of greed, cruelty, fear? The overall impact of the film left with the audience?
