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.
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.