Travis Simpkins

Gaslight (1944): Ingrid Bergman

Directed by George Cukor, Gaslight (1944) was an MGM remake of an earlier British film version. The story, set in 19th Century London, concerns a woman whose husband slowly manipulates her into believing that she's going insane so that he may steal her deceased aunt's valuable jewels. Wonderful Victorian atmosphere permeates the wonderful, well scripted production. The whole cast is great, including Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotten, Angela Lansbury and Dame May Whitty.

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

Gaslight. 1944: Angela Lansbury

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten

Gaslight. 1944: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman

Gaslight. 1944: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945): Oscar Wilde's Novel Brought to Film

Directed by Albert Lewin, based on the 1890 novel by Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Doria Gray (1945) brings the classic story to film in stylish form. The plot centers on a man who wishes for eternal youth and that his recently painted oil portrait should show the changing effects of aging rather than himself. He makes the desire known in the presence of an ancient Egyptian cat statue and his wish is granted. He retains the look of his early 20's despite the passing of decades and the portrait grows grotesque, while his relationships fall in tragic shambles around him. Wonderful acting mixes with technicolor effects (just on the painting). The cast does a great job all around, including George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed and Angela Lansbury.