Ladies In Retirement (1941)

A paid companion (Ida Lupino) to a financially secure ex-actress (Isobel Elsom recreating her stage role) living in the country is taking care of her two sisters (Elsa Lanchester, Edith Barrett) in London who aren't quite right in their heads.  But when they are thrown out of their flat, she must bring them to live with her which doesn't sit well with the older woman. But the companion will do anything to protect her sisters ... even murder!  Based on the Broadway play by Reginald Denham and Edward Percy and directed by Charles Vidor (GILDA), this is a well executed and well acted melodramatic thriller. As far as Victorian thrillers go, I'd say it ranks right up there with the much better known GASLIGHT. Vidor does a superb job of slowly building the suspense scene by scene until the very end when instead of a catharsis, the film ends with a heartbreaking poignant moment. Lupino gives a beautifully subtle performance making her desperate murderess  an affecting character which is more than one can say about Louis Hayward (very good) as her despicable nephew who you want to get his just desserts. With Evelyn Keyes, Emma Dunn and Queenie Leonard.