mstomaso This film centers around three people. We have retired constable Rough who is an affable and brilliant middle-aged gentleman haunted by one of his career's unsolved cases - the murder of Alice Barlow. And we have the relatively recently married and well-to-do Mallens, who have just moved into the house next door to the one where Mrs. Barlow was killed. Bella Mallen (Diana Wynyard) turns in a wonderful and sympathetic performance as a woman who is being driven to her wit's end by her obsessive, controlling and deceitful husband Paul Mallen (Anton Walbrook). The very first time Rough sees Paul, he becomes convinced that Paul is not who he says he is, and as the story unfolds, Paul Mallen's identity, his secrets and his intentions charge the film with powerful psychological distress and a Hitchcockian feeling of suspense. The behavior of Mrs. Mallens' gas light is the very clever device that eventually allows the film's central mystery to begin to unravel - hopefully before it is too late This film exhibits some truly startlingly well-created and detailed Victorian interiors, relatively typical but quite competent camera-work for its time, very strong performances - especially by Wynyard and Frank Pettingill (Rough) and a solid theatrical script. Gas Light was adapted from Patrick Hamilton's stage play of the same name, and it definitely retains some of the feel of a theatrical set piece. Well-directed by the talented if not prolific Thorold Dickinson (Queen of Spades, Secret People), I would recommend this over the more well-known and soapier American remake of 1944.

Alex da Silva Psycopath Anton Walbrook (Paul) is after something at 12 Pimlico Square. His wife Diana Wynyard (Bella) is a hindrance and he needs her out of the way, so goes through with a plan to convince her that she is mad and belongs in an institution. However, ex-detective Frank Pettingell (Rough) recognizes Anton from his past and is determined to find out what he is up to.I've read that MGM tried to destroy all copies of this film so that their 1944 remake would be the definitive version. Thank goodness they failed. This film is just as good as the re-make. It has some subtle differences and the cast are excellent – apart from the servant Cathleen Cordell (Nancy) who seems to grin inanely for no purpose on a couple of occasions. Her suitor Jimmy Hanley (Cobb) speaks like a plonker at the beginning but is forgiven, and Frank Pettigell gives the whole story someone to root for as the saviour. He has no romantic interest, he just acts as a kind of Sherlock Holmes who is solving a mystery.There are good scenes and settings and we have a gripping climax when Wynyard turns the tables on Walbrook at the end. Is she going to get even? And check out the can-can dancers. An entertaining film.

Tim Kidner 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.

sme_no_densetsu This original, British version of "Gaslight" was released in 1940, four years before the Hollywood remake. The films tell basically the same story though this version is supposedly closer to the original stage play. It also clocks in at about half an hour less than the later version.In the film, a husband and wife move into a house that had been vacant since a murder took place there years before. Soon the wife begins to show signs of losing her sanity or at least that's what her husband would have her believe. He is attempting to protect a secret from his past but, little does he know, a retired policeman is already on his trail.The cast is pretty good but Anton Walbrook, Diana Wynyard & Cathleen Cordell just can't compare to their counterparts in the Hollywood remake. That being said, they are all perfectly acceptable and give performances that are different enough to keep them interesting. Frank Pettingell, meanwhile, outclasses Joseph Cotten in my opinion and the rest of the supporting cast is satisfactory.The direction of Thorold Dickinson is decent but, again, it pales in comparison to George Cukor's interpretation. I also found that the editing was lacklustre and I wonder if any scenes had to be cut for one reason or another. As it is, the story could use some fleshing out but otherwise the script gets the job done. The score, meanwhile, may be the only area of the production that exceeds the later version.Ultimately, if you want to see a film adaptation of Patrick Hamilton's "Gaslight" then the 1944 version is the one I'd recommend. However, the original 1940 adaptation is still a decent effort and worth a look if you are so inclined.