Classic Cinema: Gaslight (1944)

“Suddenly I am beginning not to trust my memory at all.”

According to the American Psychological Association, “gaslighting” is a term used to describe “the action of manipulating another person into doubting their own perceptions, experiences, or understanding of events.” It can lead to “confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one’s emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator” (Merriam-Webster). It’s an effective tool that has been used by many abusers over the years, and while 1944’s Gaslight is often referenced as the origin of the term, it was actually inspired by the 1938 play Gas Light that inspired the film and another film in 1940. The 1944 movie takes many liberties with the play but is often cited as the most sadistic adaption of it.

In the film, Ingrid Bergman stars as Paula Alquist Anton, a young woman who struggles with the unsolved murder of her aunt, who moves into her aunt’s former home in London with her new husband. The husband, Gregory Anton (Charles Boyer), begins to note that his new bride has started to misplace things, forget events, and even accuses her of stealing things. When Gregory is away, Paula begins hearing noises in the attic and starts questioning her mental state. Gregory, in an attempt to “help” her, begins isolating Paula from the outside world. A Scotland Yard detective named Cameron (Joseph Cotten), who once fancied Paula, takes an interest in her strange behavior and begins digging around her aunt’s former home to find out what is really happening. As Paula starts to lose grip on her sanity, Cameron discovers what sinister deeds are really going on in the house. Watch Gaslight to find out what happens next!

This is a brilliantly executed film. It holds up extremely well to this day. Directed by George Cukor, the film pulls you in and manipulates you almost as much as the antagonist manipulates Paula. The performances of the core cast of Bergman, Boyer, Cotten, Angela Lansbury, and May Whitty are simply amazing. Bergman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film and Boyer was nominated for Best Actor. Lansbury was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor. In total, the production was nominated for seven Academy Awards. It won two awards, Bergman’s Best Actress Award and the award for Best Cinematography-Black And White. It also received multiple other nominations and awards and was inducted into the National Film Registry.

I highly recommend Gaslight. It’s an award-winning film that is part of the National Film Registry for a reason. It’s excellent. Charles Boyer is absolutely sinister in his role and witnessing Ingrid Bergman spiral into insanity and hopelessness is brutal to watch. That said, this is a must-see film. Check it out!

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