Among the many film adaptations of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray", this 1945 MGM version is without a doubt the best. With a reputed budget of $2m, this is a film of handsome veneer under which lurks a macabre tale of greed and destruction.

The young Dorian Gray (Hatfield) trades his soul in exchange for eternal youth. It's not a move though that would appear to win new friends and influence people, as the ever-pretty Gray begins to lose his social skills well beyond redemption.

Strong shades of "Jeckyll & Hyde" shine through as Gray develops a damaging relationship with a young dance hall singer (Lansbury). He takes full advantage of her innocent nature and she is soon bound on a ride that can only end in her ruin.

Increasingly paranoid of losing his youth and watching those around him age and die, Gray knows that his nemesis is a portrait of himself that he hides in his attic. Depicting his true nature, it ages into the cruel monster that he is becoming.

Despite the high melodrama, director Albert Lewin is careful not to allow the proceedings to become too hysterical. He wreathes the film in a creepy atmosphere, while Hurd Hatfield as Gray becomes increasingly emotionless to his own despicable behaviour. Angela Lansbury puts in a fine performance as the unfortunate victim of his excess and George Sanders is brutally cynical as Dorian's mentor.

The most talked about feature though of this film is undoubtedly the Technicolor ending that demonstrates the skill of the underrated Albert Lewin. Rather than opt for the then exciting format of colour throughout, he saves it for an end sequence that is a classic slice of cinema.

November 30th 2000 marks the centenary of Oscar Wilde's death

Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest".

"Wilde" starring Stephen Fry.