Gaslight [VHS] [1940]

GASLIGHT

starring

Anton Walbrook, Frank Pettingell, Robert Newton, Diana Wynward

British Black & White 1940

Original 1940s rediscovered in the vaults of MGM

Originally released in Britain as "Gaslight" but in America as "Angel Street" and thought to have been destroyed. Remade in 1944 by MGM but did not capture the suspense and tension of this original 1940 British version. An obsessed murderer and thief slowly drives his fragile wife to the brink of insanity as he desperately searches for a cache of priceless jewels, which he failed to find when he murdered his aunt....

Having only ever owned the later version of this Great British Classic, and not having seen this for years (due its immense lack of publicity and availability) it is easy to forget. However; in many ways, this is by far a better movie than the much appraised Hollywood version. This does not mean that the latter is not a good film (it is - it used to be my favourite. See my Review for that title) but they are two very different productions of the same story that have a place of recommendation - each in their own right.

This version is far more 'claustrophobic' and 'arty' than its Hollywood counterpart. It also stars the legendary Anton Walbrook, who, in my opinion is far more sinister than Charles Boyer could ever be - and always manages to scare me to death when he played these types of roles. A classic example of this is one scene in particular where he has his hand half covering his face as he spies the reaction of his wife through his fingers during his attempts at driving her out of her mind!

The great Diana Wynyard plays the unfortunate 'Bella' in this (as opposed to Bergman's 'Paula') - and she plays it well with a sort of 'far away' look that Bergman manages to achieve with ease due to her Norse bone structure. Primarily a stage actress; Wynyard's performance in this aspect seems much more 'deliberate' as a result. The music score is more 'eerie' and atmospheric too which always helps things along, and this also has a much better Intro. to the story than the latter movie did.

People raved over Angela Lansbury's performance as the 'maid' in the Hollywood version - but Cathleen Cordell (though ironically American - Lansbury being British-born) does an equally good job in my opinion in this, and was every bit as good.

Also stars an extremely young and very good-looking Jimmy Hanley - and a small part for Robert Newton (the man with the handsome eyes!)

I've wanted this version of the movie for years, and it was only thanks to another Amazon Review that made it known that this version is actually available and on the reverse side of the DVD Disc purchased from America, and plays only in Region 1. But a word of warning!! I have also since heard that this has been discontinued, and because it was never actually 'advertised' as being included in the package - either by the Artwork or description; some may be in for a disappointment if they place an Order for it and it is not included. Again; like another Reviewer has said; it is a disgrace that the original version has been sort of 'brushed under the carpet' as if it was some kind of 'flop' - far from it! After seeing this, you will probably end up preferring it of the two! Considering this has been so neglected, it is surprisingly good quality - both sound and picture-wise.

There are some 'extras' on this DVD - including Angela Lansbury speaking, and very modest she is too, as she gives her account of her time on the film, and admitting that without it, could have possibly robbed her of the big break into Hollywood she later got because of it. She also speaks highly of Britain's Barbara Everest - another great actress of the era, which I thought rather nice of her. Barbara Everest went on of course to star in many British Pictures - alongside Eric Portman for example in: ' Wanted For Murder'. (see my Review for that title)

This original 1940 version of Gaslight is occasionally shown on U.K. TV - I watched it this time as part of Film 4's Movies for Life series, though shown about lunchtime, so many would have missed it.

Which is a pity. It's got tons of atmosphere, even more hiss and crackles and the fog clings to everything like a favourite old overcoat. Rather than the sheen and shine of the always gleaming Ingrid Bergman in the 1944 re-make, this looks and feels like the creepy horror film that it is.

But remake they obviously did and I, for one, would not say either is better than the other. They're both very similar but also very different and each has virtues the other doesn't. The obvious star appeal of the later one is the real draw, along with the polish of George Cukor's direction, but that somehow detracts from the ordinariness of the original. There it's the story and the surroundings plus the real atmosphere that are the stars.

It must have seemed like strange fare for its time, though as we don't usually associate early WW2 cinema-goers having a liking for such dark stuff.

I have always enjoyed the story; how under posh middle class Pimlico town-house roofs lie madness, murder and sadistic mental torture, though rather more subtly done than my list might suggest.

Others have written longer reviews with every plot twist, so I'm purposefully keeping my short. I would say that if you've seen and enjoyed the 1944 one, keep an eye out for this one, whether on TV (get your recording device ready) or any other method, as it's certain you'll love this one too.

My five stars are a little generous, but Gaslight mk 1 is definitely an un-flaunted and underrated - and overshadowed classic.