Gaslight (1940)

Twenty years after the murder of Alice Barlow, her house is finally occupied again. However, the husband of the couple who have moved in has a secret which he will do anything to keep hidden.

Director:

Thorold Dickinson

Writers:

Patrick Hamilton (play), A.R. Rawlinson (screenplay),

Stars:

Anton Walbrook, Diana Wynyard, Frank Pettingell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anton Walbrook	...	Paul Mallen
Diana Wynyard	...	Bella Mallen
Frank Pettingell	...	B.G. Rough
Cathleen Cordell	...	Nancy the Parlour Maid
Robert Newton	...	Vincent Ullswater
Minnie Rayner	...	Elizabeth, the Cook
Jimmy Hanley	...	Cobb
Marie Wright	...	Alice Barlow
Aubrey Dexter	...	House Agent
Mary Hinton	...	Lady Winterbourne
Angus Morrison	...	Pianist
Jack Barty	...	Chairman of Music Hall
The Darmora Ballet	...	Dancers

Storyline

Twenty years ago, old Mrs. Barlow was killed in her home at 12, Pimlico Square for her priceless rubies. The murderer searched the whole house without finding them, then disappeared. The house has been empty since then, but now Paul and Bella Mallen move into the apartment. Bella Mallen suffers from forgetfulness and nervousness - at least that is what her husband tells her. An elderly horse wrangler, B.G. Rough worked as a policeman twenty years ago and still remembers the unsolved case. He notices that Mr. Mallen looks just like Louis Barre, Mrs. Barlow's nephew. And why does Mr. Mallen mysteriously leave every night just to go into the apartment next door, no. 14?

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Plot Keywords:

rubies | murder | driven mad | husband wife relationship | victorian era | 

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Taglines:

A melodrama of a strange love!

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angel Street

Filming Locations:

D&P Studios, Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British National Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It opened in New York with the title changed to "Angel Street" on 5 December 1941, starring Vincent Price (his first role as a villain) and Judith Evelyn. Leo G. Carroll costarred as Rough. It became the longest-running melodrama in Broadway history, playing for 1,293 performances.

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Goofs

After the cousin is forced out at the first visit, Bella and Paul are talking. Her hands are in her lap, but then right hand jumps to neck/face.

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Quotes

Paul Mallen: You break into my house and go through my desk!
B.G. Rough: Which both you and I know contains the evidence that you are Louis Barlow.

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Connections

Referenced in The Others (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Waltz"
(uncredited)
Music by Joseph Lanner
Arranged by Richard Addinsell

User Reviews

Streamlined & Suspenseful

Let's face it - the British do psychological suspense VERY well! This 1940 British production is more streamlined and suspenseful than the MGM version of 1944, as it sticks more closely to Patrick Hamilton's play. The MGM version had more 'back-story' and padding to it. I love Diana Wynyard - she was lovely to look at and seemed wonderfully edgy and vulnerable - I wasn't surprised to learn that she played the anguished mother in the West End production of THE BAD SEED - she's really only remembered today for this film and CAVALCADE (1933), but she's definitely worth watching. Anton Walbrook is a little hammier than Boyer was, and there are those obvious streaks in his hair to make him look a little older - but he has a wonderful moment at the films end when, quite suddenly, his eyes go wild and you can tell that he's completely lost his mind - might have been a nice touch if the 1944 had included such a moment. Highly recommended.

I've noticed that people seem surprised that MGM attempted to suppress the 1940 British version of GASLIGHT to avoid any competition with their version. I don't know why anyone should be surprised - Hollywood's business is a cut-throat one: remember that L.B. Mayer, along with Jack Warner and others, offered to buy CITIZEN KANE from RKO and then destroy it, all to appease William R. Hearst - fortunately they didn't (just imagine the history of film since 1941 if they had!) And although MGM didn't destroy all prints of GASLIGHT, they did manage to keep it out of sight for many years - I think I first saw it on a cable station in the early 1980s - I tuned in expecting Boyer and Bergman and got Walbrook and Wynyard - as it turned out I didn't mind at all, and have enjoyed it many times since! MGM did the same thing with Paramount's 1932 DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE which, except for an occasional screening, went unseen (but much written about) until it came out on video around 1990 (under the MGM label - imagine that!)