The Picture of Dorian Bates

Most film directors have been influenced by other directors and films. Many movies contain scenes that quote an earlier film. A few directors repeatedly quote specific scenes or shots, paying homage to favorite films and directors. A notable example is Brian DePalma, who made a career of borrowing from the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock certainly had his influences, but I don't recall him ever directly quoting other films. Recently, however, I noticed a visual connection between Psycho, made in 1960, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, directed by Albert Lewin in 1945. Note: I will try to minimize the spoilers, but there will be spoilage!

When Vera Miles sees the occupant of the rocking chair in the basement in Psycho, she rears back in surprise, raising her arm and striking a hanging lamp overhead. The light from the now swinging lamp creates a rhythmic effect of alternating light and shadow, illuminating the desiccated face of the figure in the chair.

A similar scene occurs in The Picture of Dorian Gray, made 15 years earlier. Hurd Hatfield also strikes a hanging lamp, and the startling reveal of his altered face is shown by a rhythmic play of light and shadow not very different from scene by Hitchcock. Was Hitchcock inspired by the earlier film? Or does the similarity between the scenes reveal a common cinematic language or bag of tricks.