Rebecca-1940

Today, we are going to discuss my second favorite Hitchcock film, Rebecca.

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We are talking about my second favorite because I own my first favorite on VHS and there isn't a player in our bedroom. In order to not make you feel cheated however, I can assure you they almost tie as my favorite. Let us proceed to the good stuff!

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The film stars Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine (sister of Olivia de Havilland-they fought for years, always trying to outdo the other). Olivier and Fontaine's characters meet in Monte Carlo and quickly decide to marry. Arriving at Maxim's (Olivier) family estate as the new Mrs. De Winter, she is haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Rebecca. She has left her mark on Olivier, the servants and the house, all throughout are reminders. Rebecca's personal stationary is still in the library desk! The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is particularly obsessed with the first wife. She lords it over Fontaine's character, practically driving her mad.

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So creepy! She gives Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. a run for her money. While Swanson is outwardly odd and a danger to herself, Mrs. Danvers finds great pleasure in torturing the shy and naive second Mrs. de Winter (to further the shadow of Olivier's character's first wife, Fontaine's character is given no first name in the film).

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The picture above really shows the level of their relationship and the nature of their characters. Mrs. Danvers wears plain, black frocks with her hair tightly wound while she stands above Fontaine. Fontaine on the other hand, wears cardigans and pearls and outwardly shows her intimidation despite her position as mistress of the estate.

Reportedly, Hitchcock wished to give Fontaine as much help as he could toward developing her character. Olivier disliked her involvement because he wished his wife, Vivien Leigh (Scarlett in Gone With the Wind) to play his bride (this, I believe, happened in many films when Leigh was not cast as his costar). Hitchcock decided to capitalize on this and told Fontaine everyone on the set disliked her thus making her awkward and withdrawn, as her character should be.

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The film was successful at the box office as well as with critics. It was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 2. Wonderful film! If you like this, watch my other favorite, Shadow of a Doubt. It tells of an uncle's visit to his sister's suburban family. His niece worships him but discovers on this particular visit, he is not who he says. I shall have to do a post on it soon. Joseph Cotten is wonderful as the uncle.

Happy watching!