GASLIGHT

Lights flicker and dim. Footsteps sound from a sealed-off attic. Mysterious events only vulnerable young Paula sees and hears make her fear she''''s losing her mind ' exactly what treacherous spouse Gregory hopes. Directed by George Cukor, Gaslight shines as a superb exercise in suspense. Ingrid Bergman won her first Academy Award'*'* as Paula, doubting her sanity while clinging to it. Fellow Oscar'*' nominee Charles Boyer skillfully plays against type as smoothly evil Gregory. Joseph Cotten, Dame May Whitty and an 18-year-old Angela Lansbury in her movie debut (also capturing an Oscar'*' nomination) help make the Victorian era vividly realised through production design that earned an Academy Award'*'*.