I asked chatgpt, AI did not disappoint:
“Gaslighting” is a psychological manipulation tactic in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. The term “gaslighting” is derived from a 1938 play titled “Gas Light” (also known as “Angel Street”), written by British playwright Patrick Hamilton. The play was later adapted into several movies, with the most famous being the 1944 film titled “Gaslight,” directed by George Cukor.
In the story, the husband manipulates his wife into believing that she is going insane by dimming the gas lights in their home and then denying that the lights are flickering when she points it out. He convinces her that her perceptions are false, leading her to question her sanity. This theme of psychological manipulation and emotional abuse became widely recognized, and the term “gaslighting” was subsequently coined to describe similar manipulative behavior in real-life situations.
The concept of gaslighting has gained prominence in discussions about abusive relationships and emotional manipulation, and it is often used to describe tactics employed by individuals, groups, or even governments to control and manipulate others by making them doubt their own reality.
But the movie with Anton Walbrook is better. Stephen Frye and others, including me, admire how scary Anton can be, he’s ideal in The Red Shoes but disturbingly convincing in th e
Both ‘Gaslight’ films are great in their own way yet Anton Walbrook, in the original, is so much more menacing, frightening and downright evil.
Of course he’s wonderful in every movie, especially the Red Shoes. And penetrating – in the way Brando could be; emotionally complex, able to captivate the audience, completely.
But doesn’t this feel familiar? We’re getting gaslit everyday per my previous post, make pasta, make your own food; make your own news and make it worth watching.