Although the 1944 Hollywood version is more famous. This British made production is the original version of the stage play.
It starts off with a brutal murder of an old lady for her rubies. Some years later Paul Mallen (Anton Walbrook) and his vulnerable wife Bella (Diana Wynyard) move in to the house.
Bella looks to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, being forgetful. Of course she is being manipulated by Mallen. Hence the now modern meaning of the term, Gaslighting.
A retired detective Rough (Frank Pettingell) sees Mallen and recognises him as a man called Louis Bauer suspected of being the killer of the old lady all those years ago. He keeps tabs on Mallen and suspects that he wants his wife out of the way as he is stil searching for the rubies.
This is a straightforward, succinct but chilling adaptation. Walbrook is rather menacing and not as subtle as Charles Boyer in the remake. There is a very risque scene in the music hall with some can can dancers as Mallen takes the parlour maid for a night out.
It starts off with a brutal murder of an old lady for her rubies. Some years later Paul Mallen (Anton Walbrook) and his vulnerable wife Bella (Diana Wynyard) move in to the house.
Bella looks to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, being forgetful. Of course she is being manipulated by Mallen. Hence the now modern meaning of the term, Gaslighting.
A retired detective Rough (Frank Pettingell) sees Mallen and recognises him as a man called Louis Bauer suspected of being the killer of the old lady all those years ago. He keeps tabs on Mallen and suspects that he wants his wife out of the way as he is stil searching for the rubies.
This is a straightforward, succinct but chilling adaptation. Walbrook is rather menacing and not as subtle as Charles Boyer in the remake. There is a very risque scene in the music hall with some can can dancers as Mallen takes the parlour maid for a night out.