Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and George Sanders in the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Rebecca’

The presentation of the movie Rebecca (1940) by director Alfred Hitchcock offers an interesting and smart premise to the ways psychological pressure can be expressed. The film begins the story from the middle of the larger tale, though details unexpectedly revealing and revealed so as to make the experience one that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Hitchcock‘s first movie made in the United States with producer David O. Selznick is based on the 1938 Daphne du Maurier novel Rebecca.

(Laurence Olivier as ‘Maxim’ de Winter in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca).

The movie begins with a glimpse of ‘Maxim’ de Winter, as portrayed by Laurence Olivier, considering taking of his life at the edge of a cliff. A woman yells to him in an attempt to change his mind. The scenario ends with rudeness on behalf of de Winter, though the plot for the movie is cleverly planted with this simple yet strong interaction.

(From left, Florence Bates as Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper and Joan Fontaine as the second Mrs. de Winter in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca).

It would be in Monte-Carlo, Monaco where de Winter and the young lady unexpectedly meet again, with the young lady as a paid companion to the intentionally demonstrative and extravagant Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper. It is owing to Van Hopper that we, along with the young lady, learn that de Winter was recently widowed. Through a warmth the belied a distinctly different station in life, de Winter is taken with the young lady in this setting and proposes marriage. Florence Bates portrayed Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper to Joan Fontaine portraying the woman who would become the second Mrs. de Winter.

(From left, Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers and Reginald Denny as Frank Crawley in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca).

It would be at Maxim de Winter’s sprawling southwestern England estate, named Manderley, that we learn of the fondness that many serving the mansion and grounds were devoted to the first Mrs. de Winter. Rebecca would be the former lady of the house. The Manderley staff included Mrs. Danvers as housekeeper, Frank Crawley as Maxim’s estate manager, Frith, as a butler, and so forth. Judith Anderson, Reginald Denny and Edward Fielding portrayed Danvers, Crawley and Frith, respectively. Precisely how the staff worked to make the young Mrs. de Winter uncomfortable. That these truths rolled into our getting to know Jack Favell, Mrs. Rebecca de Winter’s cousin, ultimately makes the story one of greater depth than simple devotion to a prior lady of the house.

(From left, Billy Bevan as a policeman, director Alfred Hitchcock in cameo, and George Sanders as Jack Favell in the Alfred Hitchcock move Rebecca).

The story of Rebecca stands out among the earlier work offered by Alfred Hitchcock in that the psychological tension takes on distinct tones of loyalty, romance and questions of well-being at levels that intermingled so smartly that true motivations among the characters were, at times, less than straightforward. That the truth of who had done what and why becomes clear, my appreciation for the artistry presented makes me satisfied with the experience. I rate Rebecca as directed by Alfred Hitchcock 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave in the Alfred Hitchcock film ‘The Lady Vanishes’

The notion that Alfred Hitchcock could be a profitable filmmaker wasn’t always a given. According to the book The Art of Alfred Hitchcock: Fifty Years of His Motion Pictures by Donald Spoto, it was with the success of The Lady Vanishes (1938) that enabled Hitchcock relocated to Hollywood in California from London, England in the United Kingdom to begin making movies in the United States due to the influence of film producer David O. Selznick.

(From left, Michael Redgrave as Gilbert Redman, Margaret Lockwood as Iris Matilda Henderson and Paul Lukas as Dr. Egon Hartz in the film The Lady Vanishes).

The movie The Lady Vanishes is a mystery thriller based on the 1936 book The Wheel Spins by Ethel Lina White. The film begins with English tourist Iris Matilda Henderson, as portrayed by Margaret Lockwood, traveling with friends Blanche and Julie. An avalanche temporarily blocks passage for Henderson, who is stranded in a hotel with other travelers. Among those travelers are cricket enthusiasts Charters and Caldicott plus governess and music teacher Miss Froy. A noise complaint introduces the relationship that becomes relevant in The Lady Vanishes for Iris Matilda Henderson and Gilbert Redman.

(From left, Naunton Wayne as Caldicott, Basil Radford as Charters, May Whitty as Miss Froy and another woman in the film The Lady Vanishes).

Googie Withers and Sally Stewart are portrayed Blanche and Julie, respectively. Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford portrayed Caldicott and Charters. May Whitty portrayed Miss Froy. Introductions are made in time at the hotel and then on the train shared by Henderson, Caldicott, Charters, and Froy. Gilbert Redmon is portrayed by Michael Redgrave. An accident occurs at the hotel witnessed by lawyer Mr. Eric Todhunter and his mistress, who are portrayed by Cecil Parker and Linden Travers.

(From left, Cecil Parker as Mr. Eric Todhunter, Linden Travers as mistress ‘Mrs.’ Todhunter, Naunton Wayne as Caldicott and Basil Radford as Charters in the film The Lady Vanishes).

It is this accident combined with the mystery on the train that connects Iris to the mystery of what happened to the suddenly missing Miss Froy. The accident at the hotel is invoked by brain surgeon Dr. Egon Hartz, as portrayed by Paul Lukas, in setting the mystery and thriller of The Lady Vanishes into motion. Learning where things go from here, besides the curiosity of watching the movie that made Alfred Hitchcock, is your argument for digging into this film.

(From left, film director Alfred Hitchcock and actress Margaret Lockwood in support of the film The Lady Vanishes).

The Lady Vanishes gains resolution in a manner that this reviewer appreciates. The movie is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with high audience marks and higher marks among critics. My rating for The Lady Vanishes as directed by Alfred Hitchcock is 4.00-stars on a scale of 1-to-5 stars.

Matt – Wednesday, December 2, 2020