Fanny By Gaslight/Man of Evil is an enjoyable British 1940s melodrama that sees Phyllis Calvert's Fanny go through various trials before finding true love in the arms of Stewart Granger's Harry Somerford, a 'toff' who progressively scorns the archaic British class system (resisting his sister Kate's haughty stipulations that Fanny must know her social place!). Thus, the intrepid Fanny is reduced to various hardships (a bit of sewing, pulling pints, and a brief stint in a laundry) and family tragedies while constantly coming into contact with the villainous James Mason as Lord Manderstroke. James Mason is the highlight of the film, and he is an amoral and callous cad throughout, but sadly his character is only peppered throughout the drama. Hence, neither title really does the film justice as the man of evil only periodically appears and I do not ever recall a scene in which the fact that Fanny may be illuminated by gaslight is especially significant. But, it is nevertheless a nice Sunday afternoon vintage caper and James Mason is perfectly splendid, as he always was.
Review of Man of Evil
