Tags
1944, Black & White, Charles Boyer, Gaslight, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotton, MGM, Murder, Suspense
Romance can start with a spark. A little candle light, that spark can grow into a flame, ignited by passion, an eternal fire.
In the wrong hands, the glimmer in a lover’s eye can turn into a raging inferno. A love affair can crash and burn.
Starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Joseph Cotton, MGM’s 1944 film, Gaslight, gave name to psychological manipulation. Systematically, Boyer convinces his new wife, played by Bergman, that she is going mad.
Yes, this film, as others from this era, is a little melodramatic, but the shadowy imagery of black and white, the foggy Victorian London setting and long-abandoned mansion all lend to the psychological intensity that has made this film a classic.
Why Sherry, you are a cinephile! Here’s another one I haven’t seen. Isn’t Ingrid Bergman beautiful?
Ah, that was a lovely little trip back to the days when actors enunciated, and plots turned on subtleties. Thanks for this, Sherry.
This is one I haven’t seen. Wish they showed more old movies on the tv now, instead of reality shows. I like this much better.
I remember watching this movie on a Sunday afternoon — one of the best times to see great movies on TV when I was growing up. Being “gaslighted” has been part of my vocabulary ever since.
There’s something about black and white that simply intensifies the experience. Thanks for the reminder about this one.
Sorry, I was out all day and just came to this. I seem to be doing that too much lately ); … Now for the fun part. I once described my relationship with my ex as very “Gaslight,” and must have seen this classic a dozen times. Never tire of the characters and though I know the outcome, I still worry over her the whole time, urging Joseph Cotton to hurry and save her !!
Thanks for another look back at a great moment in cinema
If you’re interested, you can watch the entire British film here: http://archive.org/details/Gaslight_1940 Both films are based on the original stage play by the same name.
Sherry, you have a lot to answer for. You’re constantly getting me to put off work to watch videos.