At a party hosted by her mother, Lansbury met John van Druten, who had recently co-authored a script for "Gaslight" (1944), a mystery-thriller based on Patrick Hamilton's 1938 play, "Gaslight." Set in Victorian London, the film was being directed by George Cukor, and starred Ingrid Bergman in the lead role of Paula Alquist, a woman being psychologically tormented by her husband. Van Druten suggested that Lansbury would be perfect for the role of Nancy Oliver, a conniving cockney maid; she was accepted for the part, although, since she was only 17, a social worker had to accompany her on the set. Obtaining an agent, Earl Kramer, she was signed to a seven-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, earning $500 a week and using her real name as her professional name. Already her casting received attention, with "Variety" magazine in August 1943 claiming Lansbury to have gone from unknown to movie star in just four days. Upon release, "Gaslight" received mixed critical reviews, although Lansbury's role was widely praised; the film earned six Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Supporting Actress for Lansbury.