Fanny by Gaslight

The lesser of the 1944 classic London style films with Gaslight in the title, but Fanny by Gaslight (1944) is still a interesting piece with dubious characters and slight naughtiness. Definitely a fine production.

Subtle and intriguing melodrama is fascinating in the way it packs in so much subtext - including Mason's campily villianous 'lady's man' and incestuous and pseudo incestuous relationships between many of the major characters - and the surprisingly direct discussion and dissection of the seedier aspects of the heroine's life. At its core though, it is a melodrama, and a very successful one thanks to fine performances all round (Lindsell is particularly fine as the disgraced father).

An interesting melodrama with some good performances. Although the film is paced a little inconsistently, it holds the attention of the viewer throughout and throws some notably good scenes in among with the mostly decent. Overall, it's an entertaining period drama and worth the watch.