Ingrid Bergman Gaslight - Her Fabulous Victorian Fashion
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Ingrid Bergman Gaslight has a fabulous collection of Victorian outfits. As the Victorian era is famous for its extravagant display of class and wealth, with layers of dress and bustles being seductively fashionable, this is not your typical Ingrid Bergman Style.
Gaslight 1944 is a stylish Victorian Thriller set in fog-bound London.
The beautiful heroine, Ingrid Bergman, is embedded in a complex web of passion, murder and madness!
This film noir highlights the 1940’s perspective of a wealthy Victorian woman’s fashion in 19th-century London.
Ingrid Bergman’s character in Gaslight 1944 wears a fabulous collection of Victorian fashion, including stunning dresses with full skirts, bustles, and petticoats with layers of ruffles, trimming, and lots of lace.
She also has a fashionable collection of bonnets, gloves, and parasols.
Did you know that Victorian women wore bustles for “back fullness” instead of doing “butt-lifting” or “booty” exercises?
This post is all about Ingrid Bergman Gaslight - Her Fabulous Victorian Fashion
Is Gaslight an Alfred Hitchcock Movie?
Gaslight 1944 is not is not an Alfred Hitchcock movie, even though it’s easy to understand why people credit this thriller to the genius Hitchcock. The complex plot twists and turns, the passionate love triangle, and incredible fashion and aura of mystery definitely makes it feel like a Hitchcock film. Gaslight also embodies the Hitchcock element of keeping the audience guessing until the very end. Additionally, the play Gaslight was based off was written by the same British dramatist, Patrick Hamilton, who wrote The Rope which was turned into a Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name.
Why else does Gaslight feel like it belongs to the Alfred Hitchcock collection?
Ingrid Bergman was one of Hitchcock’s favorite lead actresses to cast, and she starred in three of the best films he produced.
Hitchcock cast the same two leads, Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten, in his mysterious costume drama and passionate love triangle, Under Capricorn.
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Gaslight 1944 Plot
In this film noir thriller, Ingrid Bergman stars as Paula Alquist, a newlywed bride who is being driven slowly insane by her evil husband Gregory Anton (Charles Boyer).
When Paula returns to London with her new husband years after a tragedy, a smitten detective from Scotland Yard, Brian Cameron (Joseph Cotten) believes that Paula is in grave danger.
How old was Ingrid Bergman in Gaslight? Ingrid Bergman was 29 years old when she starred in Gaslight.
Ingrid Bergman’s stunning performance in Gaslight earned her first Academy Award for Best Actress... and a Golden Globe!
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #1 - Black Dress & Veil
In the opening scenes of Gaslight, the townspeople of London are gathered in Thornton Square reading about a murderer still at large.
The strangled woman was the famous opera singer, Alice Alquist.
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a long somber black dress with a black hat and veil.
Paula, a young woman, is leaving her aunt’s home in mourning.
The solicitor tells her not to look back, but to her future. She is going to Italy to train as a singer.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #2 - Striped Day Dress
Her Italian singing instructor dramatically stops her and says that her mind is not on her lesson. How can she look so much like her famous aunt, but not sing like her?!
Paula admits she is in love.
Her instructor tells her to forget the past tragedy and singing, and pursue happiness.
Paula runs out into the waiting arms of her lover, Gregory Anton (Charles Boyer)
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a large floor length striped dress with lace and ribbon accents, and a belt.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #3 - Travel Dress
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula travels by train.
Her chatty travel companion eagerly talks about about her fascination with murder mysteries. She mentions that she lives in Thornton Square in London and the unsolved murder that occurred there years ago.
When Paula gets off at her train stop, she exclaims in surprise and delight to see Gregory Anton.
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a fitted button-up shirt and skirt with an elegantly layered traveling coat. She accessories this with a smart hat and veil.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #4 - Honeymoon Lounging Outfit
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula is on her honeymoon with her new husband, Gregory Anton.
Charles Boyer’s character Gregory says that his dream has been to live in one of the homes in the London Squares.
Paula grows quiet. Then she says that she owns such a house, gifted from her beloved aunt, who took her in when her parents passed.
Paula says, “That house comes into my dreams sometimes...that house of horror!”
Then she adds, “It’s strange, but I haven’t dreamed of it since I’ve known you. I haven’t been afraid since I’ve known you! ...I’ve found peace in loving you.”
She tells him that she could face the house with him.
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a floor length ruffled nightgown fitted below the bodice.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #5 - Fashionable Day Dress
Paula Alquist and Gregory travel back to London and arrive at Thornton Square #9.
Together they explore the rooms.
Paula shows Gregory a glass cabinet where her aunt kept special treasures. The glass is still shattered from the night of the murder, but nothing was ever missing.
Paula takes out a single glove. It was signed by someone famous. It’s matching glove was given to a secret admirer!
Gregory Anton begins playing the piano.
Paula discovers a letter in the music scores that was sent to her aunt only two days before she was murdered.
Paula starts reading it aloud. It’s from a man named Sergis Bauer.
Gregory exclaims suddenly in a burst of anger and grabs the letter.
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a floor length dress with a fitted bodice, with a black tie accent, and full skirts. Her fashion accessories include a small hat with a veil and stylish fur muff to keep her hands warm.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #6 - White Lace Day Dress
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula comes downstairs dressed beautifully. She is very excited. This is the first time they are going out of the house in months!
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a white lace dress with a fitted bodice and full skirts, accessorized with a black ribbon down the back. Her fashion accessories include a matching lace hat and bag, and white gloves.
Charles Boyer’s character Gregory surprises her with the gift of a special broach. It has been in his family for generations.
Gregory says that the latch needs to be adjusted, so he’ll put it in her bag for now. He makes a big deal about where he puts the broach. He tells Paula that she forgets things.
Paula enjoys the tour of the London Tower, until she suddenly realizes that the new broach is missing from her bag.
She starts searching frantically, getting more and more agitated.
During their outing, a man spots Paula and stares at her mesmerized. When his companions tell him that he looks as though he’s seen a ghost, he says, “It’s just that I thought I saw someone I know is dead!” It is Detective Brian Cameron (Joseph Cotten) of Scotland Yard.
Once home, Gregory asks for the broach so he can get it repaired.
In agitation, Paula turns her bag upside down, and exclaims that she must have taken it out without realizing.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #7 - Evening Robe
Charles Boyer’s character Gregory Anton leaves the house in the evening to go compose music.
While Ingrid Bergman’s character, Paula, is getting ready for bed, the gaslight chandelier lights dim.
She asks the almost-deaf cook if someone turned up the gas in another room, to cause this. She replies no.
Concern frames Paula’s face.
Paula then hears mysterious footsteps walking above her, but believes the house is deserted.
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a white lace nightgown covered by a fitted robe with lace accents.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #8 - Day Dress
Joseph Cotten’s character Detective Brian Cameron stands in front of Paula’s house, scoping it out.
A chatty neighbor eagerly fills him in on the murder that occurred years ago and the strange goings-on now.
Paula walks outside, but then promptly returns inside, apparently frightened.
Back at the police headquarters, Detective Brian Cameron is questioned as to why he is trying to reopen a ten year old murder case.
Doesn’t he know that they never found any leads and the missing crown jewels were hushed up?
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is an elegant dress with a fitted bodice and full skirts, with lace accents. Her hat is a fluffy and frilly concoction with a ribbon tie.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #9 - Black Dress
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula walks restlessly back and forth.
When she is about to add coal to the fire, her husband Gregory Anton commands her to ring the maid.
When the maid arrives, he starts flirting with her, commenting on her complexion and asking if she’d share tips with the mistress!
The chatty neighbor rings the doorbell, with Detective Brian Cameron, pretending to be her nephew.
Gregory refuses to allow them in, saying the mistress is not well.
When Paula begs him to allow the neighbor to visit, he has a sudden burst of rage, “I do not want people around this house!”
Paula stares into space... listless and depressed.
A moment later, Gregory announces he is taking her to the theatre, Paula reacts with giddy excitement.
Gregory says, jokingly, “And you thought I was being cruel to you… keeping people away… making you a prisoner!”
Paula replies, “No… you’re the kindest man in the world.” She hugs him and begins dancing gleefully around the room, as he plays a tune on the piano.
Suddenly, Gregory stops playing the piano. He points to an empty space on the wall--a small picture is missing.
Gregory tells her in anger: “Why was it taken down before? Will you please get it from wherever you’ve hidden it and put it back in its place?”
Paula, says in distress, “But I haven’t hidden it, I swear! Why should I...why should I?!”
He then trails her upstairs to hunt for the “missing picture.”
He tells her to go to her room. They are not going to the theatre.
The mind games continue.
Gregory walks out outside into the murky foggy London streets, illuminated by the old fashioned gaslights. He looks around suspiciously and then darts down an alley.
A short time later, Paula hears footsteps above her and the gaslights dim. She stares in horror at the ceiling and starts screaming.
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a black dress with a fitted bodice and full skirts, with white lace accents.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #10 - White Evening Gown
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula is invited to a musical reception.
Paula walks into the drawing room dressed to the nines. Gregory asks her why she’s dressed, since he declined the invitation.
Paula says, “I’m quite well enough and I want to go. Lady Delory was very kind to me when I was a small child, and I’m going. ...I must get out of this house!”
Gregory and Paula arrive late to the musical performance. The hostess nods at Detective Brian Cameron, who had arranged for the invitation.
Detective Brian Cameron is sitting a few rows back, carefully watching!
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula is beaming, enjoying the music with delight.
A few minutes later, Gregory Anton taps her and says, “Paula, my watch is gone.”
Paula looks at him in horror. He slowly reaches for her handbag, and dramatically opens it and pulls out his watch.
Paula starts freaking out and crying hysterically, disrupting the musical performance. Gregory escorts her home.
More suspicious than ever, Detective Brian trails them home.
When Gregory leaves the house a short while later, the detective and constable trail him, but Gregory disappears in the fog.
Stumped, they realize he must somehow have reentered the building. Why leave your house in order to enter it from another building?
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula Alquist is wearing is a stunning white dress with a fitted bodice and full skirts, with white lace and jeweled accents. She also has a matching jeweled hair accessory, parasol and fan.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #11 - Lace Petticoat
In her room, Paula hears footsteps above her and sees the gaslight slowly dimming.
She starts screaming hysterically for the deaf cook.
The cook helps her undress and says she cannot hear anything.
She also adds a lacey shawl for fashionable warmth.
Meanwhile Detective Brian is sketching out the houses on Thorton square trying to decipher what the husband is up to.
Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula is wearing a beautiful petticoat. Her petticoat is gathered at the waist and flares outward at the hem and is ornamented with layers of ruffles and lace.
Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Outfit #12 - Ruffled Day Dress
The next evening, Detective Brian hides near the house, waiting for Gregory to leave.
To gain Paula’s trust and entrance to the house, he hands Paula the missing glove.
Paula matches it to the one in the cabinet, and realizes he was the special admirer her aunt had always referenced years ago!
The outfit Ingrid Bergman’s character Paula is wearing is a lacey blouse and broach, with a matching dark fitted bodice and full skirts dress.
Detective Brian sees the gaslamp dim and hears footsteps above them.
Paula gasps in shock that he can hear the sounds too. She thought it was all in her head!
Detective Brian Cameron breaks into Gregory’s desk.
Paula spots the mysterious letter from Sergis Bauer she’d found the first day they returned to the house.
Detective Brian matches the handwriting from this letter to Paula’s husband Gregory.
Gregory was a pianist for Paula’s aunt Alice Alquist in Prague.
He is upstairs searching, among the aunt’s things, for the secret crown jewels he’d killed for years ago.
Up in the attic, Gregory finally discovers the jewels sewn into Alice Alquist’s famous stage dress, the one in her painting. The sparkling gems are not costume jewels, but real!!
The police catch Gregory red-handed.
Detective Brian walks Paula onto the deck overlooking the foggy London evening. He tells her lovingly that after a dark night the sun will rise, and he will come back and see her.
This post was all about Ingrid Bergman Gaslight and her fabulous Victorian fashion
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