| Gaslight | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Gaslight_(1944_poster).jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | George Cukor |
| Screenplay by | [1] |
| Based on | Gas Light 1938 play by Patrick Hamilton |
| Produced by | Arthur Hornblow Jr. |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Joseph Ruttenberg |
| Edited by | Ralph E. Winters |
| Music by | Bronisław Kaper |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's, Inc.[2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million[3] |
| Box office | $4.6 million[3] |
Gaslight is a 1944 American psychological thriller film directed by George Cukor, and starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten and Angela Lansbury in her film debut. Adapted by John Van Druten, Walter Reisch, and John L. Balderston from Patrick Hamilton's play Gas Light (1938), it follows a young woman whose husband slowly manipulates her into believing that she is descending into insanity.[4][5]
A remake of the 1940 British film of the same name directed by Thorold Dickinson, Cukor's version had a larger scale and budget than the earlier film, and lends a different feel to the material. To avoid confusion with the first film, Cukor's version was originally titled The Murder in Thornton Square in the UK.[6] The film features numerous deviations from the original stage play, though the central drama remains that of a husband trying to drive his wife insane in order to distract her from his criminal activities.
Gaslight was released theatrically on May 4, 1944, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to critical acclaim, and received seven nominations for the 17th Academy Awards, including for Best Picture, winning two: Best Actress (for Bergman); Best Production Design. In 2019, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[7][8][9]
- ^ Van Druten (Screenplay), John; Reisch (Screenplay), Walter; Balderston (Screenplay), John L.; Hamilton (Original Theater Play), Patrick. "Gaslight screenplay (October 8, 1943)". Scripts on Screen. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Gaslight at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ a b The Eddie Mannix Ledger. Los Angeles..
- ^ Hoberman, J. (August 21, 2019). "Why 'Gaslight' Hasn't Lost Its Glow". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Wise, Sarah (May 7, 2013). "Gaslight Stories: Driving 'Ingrid Bergman' Insane". Psychology Today. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- ^ BBFC: The Murder in Thornton Square Linked March 8, 2014
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (December 11, 2019). "National Film Registry Adds 'Purple Rain', 'Clerks', 'Gaslight' & More; 'Boys Don't Cry' One Of Record 7 Pics From Female Helmers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ^ "Women Rule 2019 National Film Registry". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 2, 2020.