The season for dark and creepy movies is here and I think Gaslight (1944) fits nicely into this category! It's a gothic Hollywood thriller
about a young heiress (Ingrid Bergman) who appears to be
systematically driven insane by her husband (Charles Boyer).
The legendary George Cukor directs this adaptation of Patrick
Hamilton's stage play. Bergman is perfectly transcendent in this
Academy Award winning performance and Charles Boyer is
deliciously creepy as her pianist husband. The cast also includes
Joseph Cotten and the debut of a very young Angela Lansbury. Be
prepared for a great screenplay and acting by Bergman that is way
ahead of her time. So put on your woolly socks, make some popcorn,
turn the lights down low and be prepared for an attack of the willies!
And if you adore Ingrid Bergman as much as I do, I know you will
enjoy this little clip by Patricia Clarkson for TCM.
She is definitely one of my favorites, too. I'm putting Gaslight on my netflix list right now! Great suggestion - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI want you to know that I have NOT seen this movie and just requested it from the library!! I will look forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this one! But it looks like one I NEED to see! I'll be looking for it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love all the special effects of todays trillers, there is nothing like the hidden drama behind the movies I grew up with, they always scared the b-Jesus out of me...can you imagine the mind of a child with the movies today...scarey...
ReplyDeleteLynette, you HAVE to see this one! The plot involves an opera singer and pianist, among other characters.
ReplyDeleteI've been over to your place twice to leave a comment this morning and it won't let me! :P
Oh thank you dear Willow for that scrumptious clip. I've been a fan of hers for as long as I can remember. I saw Gaslight in that heap of rubble of a little town we had fled to, during the Occupation after WW2.When you could get nothing to eat, you spent the pennies you had at the cinema which was miraculously still intact. Although too young, they let me in for the matinee. Didn't know a word of English, but just soaked up the wonder.
ReplyDeleteArija, that is so interesting. I would love to hear more of your childhood memories!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I 'misplace' my keys/phone/etc, and then they suddenly turn up, I ask my husband (notorious for moving my things) if he's been messing with the gaslights too. A great oldie.
ReplyDeleteOh I so love these old films. I watched one the other day called The Ghost and Mrs Muir. It starred Rex Harrison and it was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
I just read a post on "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir". Thanks for the reminder...I need to add it to my Netflix queue. Haven't seen it in ages!
ReplyDeleteI've always heard of this movie.
ReplyDeleteI should take you up on your recommendation.
Turning chilly here in NY.
Jacket weather.
Willow, I notice you said to someone that you couldn't leave a comment.
ArtWordsLife said the same to me.
Is there a pre-halloween bug out there?
Such a wonderful movie. And Ingrid was so gorgeous. Don't you find it uncanny how much Isabella looks like her mother??
ReplyDeleteThose were the days, Willow!
ReplyDeleteIts a good movie .. dont forget the Kleenex .. for clutching!
ReplyDelete:-Daryl
I'm having trouble leaving comments, too! Blogger must be doing something. I commented here this morning...or tried! I haven't seen this movie....sounds perfect for the weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteyou're so good at this! presenting something as reviewer, as enthusiastic fan and just plain giving us captivating fun! loved this little documentary piece.
ReplyDeleteIngrid Bergman indeed ahead of her time...... Again another classic Willow.
ReplyDeleteLove love love this post. She is one of my favorite actresses and yet I have never seen Gaslight. I love that you make it seem so much fun, getting on my wooly socks and making popcorn. I can't wait to rent it and do just that!! You rock, Willow.
ReplyDeleteGood movie Lady Willow...
ReplyDeleteThaks You for the explain, too...
Ahhhh, one of the professor's favorites! The two of you would make wonderful movie-watching companions.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great little film clip about Ingrid Bergman. I think I've seen this movie, but it bares watching again since I don't remember it very well.
ReplyDeleteThese old movies had REAL acting and REAL dialogue. There was a real art to these films - lost art now, as in so many other aspects of contemporary life...
ReplyDeleteI think I know someone trying to drive us systematically insane, no? Some days I think it's working! :P
ReplyDeleteI think you are right! Systematically trying. They being the one who is insane, though. ;^)
ReplyDeleteIngrid Bergman is one of my favorites...her daughter looks so much like her indeed. Feel free to drop by & hope to hear from you dear...
ReplyDelete~Charmed!
BPG first introduced me to this movie a couple years ago and I absolutely loved watching it. It's been too long. She and I will have to indulge again!
ReplyDeleteI must have seen it years ago but I really fancy watching this now after reading your post.
ReplyDeleteI bet it's been at least 20 years since I've seen this...Netflix!
ReplyDeleteAhhh... Ingrid! Why is it that if someone was to ask me to name five movies with Ms Bergman in them, I would only remember 'Casablanca'? I have seen countless of other movies, including this one, and yet it's only when someone uploads a video from youtube that I say to myself: 'Ah, there she is again!'.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post.
Greetings from London.
Gaslight really is a great movie. I had completely forgotten about it. I think I may have to pick up a copy from the local library! Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to check out this movie. I absolute adore Ingrid Bergman and have several of her movies, but I've never seen this one. I really enjoyed the video you posted, too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories of Ingrid Bergman. Now I want to revisit those movies of hers. Thank you, Willow.
ReplyDeleteAngela Lansbury is a riot in this movie. Charles Boyer is one creepy fellow that's for sure and honestly, don't you just want to smack Ingrid's character a little bit?
ReplyDeleteGreat film though.
I also love her in "Notorious".
Kat
I think I've actually seen this before --a long time ago.I like the older movies too.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Ingrid Bergman! She was beautiful and so talented. Just one of a kind.
ReplyDelete