Watch Fanny By Gaslight

Fanny By Gaslight is a captivating period drama from 1944 directed by Anthony Asquith, starring Phyllis Calvert, James Mason, and Wilfrid Lawson. This atmospheric movie tells the story of a young woman named Fanny Hooper (Phyllis Calvert), who discovers that her true identity and family heritage have been hidden from her. The movie is set in Victorian London, a city shrouded in mystery and fog. Fanny is a young woman who lives with her mother (Amy Veness) in a cramped apartment. Her mother has always been evasive about Fanny's father and family background, so Fanny decides to investigate for herself. She discovers that her father was a wealthy gentleman named Sir Anthony Raine (James Mason) and that her mother was his mistress. When Sir Anthony dies, Fanny finds herself alone and penniless, with only a locket bearing her father's image as a memento.

Determined to discover the truth about her father and her family, Fanny takes a job as a maid in the Raine household. She befriends Sir Anthony's daughter, Lady Maud (Stewart Granger), who becomes her ally in her search for information. However, the rest of the household, including Sir Anthony's widow (Beatrice Varley), his son (Guy Middleton), and his unscrupulous lawyer (Wilfrid Lawson), are determined to keep Fanny from learning the truth.

As Fanny delves deeper into the secrets of the Raine family, she uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal. Her own safety is threatened as she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between the different members of the household. Fanny's determination to uncover the truth, however, never wavers, even as she falls in love with the charming and enigmatic Ludovic (Stewart Granger), Lady Maud's brother.

The movie is beautifully shot, with the misty streets of Victorian London providing a vivid backdrop to the thrilling story. The production design is intricate and detailed, capturing the opulence and decadence of the era. The costumes are also spectacular, with Phyllis Calvert's dresses in particular standing out as breathtakingly gorgeous.

The performances in Fanny By Gaslight are uniformly excellent. Phyllis Calvert is a revelation as Fanny, conveying both her vulnerability and indomitable spirit with equal skill. James Mason is suave and sophisticated as Sir Anthony, while Wilfrid Lawson is wonderfully wicked as the scheming lawyer who will stop at nothing to keep Fanny from uncovering the truth. Stewart Granger brings a charm and wit to his role as Ludovic, making him a compelling and charismatic figure.

While Fanny By Gaslight is primarily a historical drama, it also has elements of suspense and romance, making it a well-rounded and engaging movie. The mystery of Fanny's true identity drives the narrative forward, and the tension builds wonderfully as Fanny uncovers more and more of the Raine family's secrets. The romance between Fanny and Ludovic is also a highlight, with their chemistry crackling on screen.

Overall, Fanny By Gaslight is a fantastic movie that is both thrilling and romantic. The performances are excellent, the production design is stunning, and the story is gripping from start to finish. Fans of period dramas will love this movie, as will anyone who enjoys a good mystery or a swoon-worthy romance.

Fanny By Gaslight is a 1944 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.