Stars: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Angela Lansbury, May Whitty

Director: George Cukor

Summary: A psychological thriller about a man who plots to drive his wife insane so that he can get his hands on some jewels which are hidden in their London home.

Director George Cukor draws magnificent performances from his stars in this powerfully guided study in obsession. GASLIGHT is a suspenseful, atmospheric mystery that perfectly captures the smoky, smoggy feel of Victorian London. Ingrid Bergman won an Academy Award for her role as a wealthy socialite who marries a witty and charming sociopath; Oscar-nominated Charles Boyer is equally spellbinding in his role as her monstrous husband. When famous opera star Alice Alquist is murdered, Gregory Anton (Boyer), who hopes to steal the rare jewels the star has hidden, manages to court and marry the singer's niece, beautiful but naive Paula (Ingrid Bergman). His plan is to slowly drive his young wife insane so he can have free reign of the house that hides the precious jewels; however, a Scotland Yard detective takes a close interest in the couple. GASLIGHT is a classic, compelling film that is masterfully acted and directed.

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In 1944, Ingrid Bergman took home a Best Actress Oscar for her work as the neurotic, persecuted wife in Gaslight, a thundering melodrama based on the play by Patrick Hamilton. At the heart of the piece is a splendidly cruel scenario as a husband (Charles Boyer) subtly drives his wife out of her mind in a house suffocating with Victorian clutter. But MGM production gloss and George Cukor's broad strokes direction make this a less affecting, suspenseful effort than the 1939 British film version with Anton Walbrook and Diana Wynyard. Bergman has a succession of big, impressive mad scenes that show off her acting muscles--and is given the full Hollywood glamour lighting and costuming to highlight her personal beauty--while Boyer comes alive as he salivates over the missing jewels. The best work comes from a teenage Angela Lansbury (in her screen debut) as an impudent, sexy-sinister maidservant, undermining her mistress at every turn and pouting to perfection.

On the DVD:Gaslighton disc includes a trailer, a newsreel snippet of Bergman getting her Oscar and a nice featurette with Pia Lindstrom (Bergman's daughter) and Lansbury talking about the film. --Kim Newman

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Featurette - 1. REFLECTIONS OF GASLIGHT, OSCARS FOR MOVIE STARS - Footage
Year:	1944
Release Date:	February 16, 2004
Runtime:	110 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	D 065148
Keywords:	General, Gaslight, Drama, Thriller
Genre:	Thriller