Rebecca (1940) Selznick International Pictures/United Artists Director: Alfred Hitchcock Producer: David O. Selznick Cast: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson. Awards ceremony: -13th Academy Awards: February 27, 1941. Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Other films nominated for Outstanding Production this year: -All This, And Heaven Too. -Foreign Correspondent. -The Grapes Of Wrath. -The Great Dictator. -Kitty Foyle. -The Letter. -The Long Voyage Home. -Our Town. -The Philadelphia Story. Plot summary: Maxim de Winter (LAURENCE OLIVIER) is a recently-widowed man, troubled by the death of his wife Rebecca, whom he lost in a boating accident. Whilst on vacation in Monte Carlo he meets a young woman (JOAN FONTAINE) (we never get to know her actual name) whom he marries and takes home to live with him in a mansion he calls Manderlay in the south of England. The new Mrs. de Winter tries to adapt to her new role as a wife but is constantly reminded of Rebecca, her husband's former wife. She watches her husband spiral out of control as he is tormented by his first wife as she herself becomes an unwanted fixture in Manderlay when the house servant - the horrible Mrs. Danvers (JUDITH ANDERSON) - constantly undermines her. Later, new evidence regarding Rebecca's death comes to light and it appears that Maxim isn't as innocent as everybody thinks he is. Standout scene: During the costume party at the house when Mrs. de Winter confronts the evil Mrs. Danvers upstairs. Danvers then ever so subtly suggests that Mrs. de Winter should consider suicide. The suspense of the whole scene is very well handled. Facts: -The 13th Academy Awards. -The film was nominated for a whopping 11 Oscars but won only 2: Best Picture and Best Cinematography (black & white). -Oscar nominations for both Joan Fontaine (Best Actress) and Judith Anderson (Best Supporting Actress) with both failing to win. -Alfred Hitchcock directed two films that were nominated in the Best Picture category this year; REBECCA (which won) and Foreign Correspondent. Hitch received his only nomination for Best Director in REBECCA, losing out to winner John Ford for The Grapes Of Wrath. -Back-to-back Best Picture wins for producer David O. Selznick, after he bagged the Oscar for Gone With The Wind the previous year. -Alfred Hitchcock would often appear in his own movies as a brief cameo. In this film he is seen near the end just as Favell (GEORGE SANDERS) is talking with a policeman about where he has parked his car. See here. Personal opinion: Laurence Olivier is brilliant as the troubled Maxim, with Joan Fontaine providing a very credible back-up as his new wife. But the scene stealer is definitely Judith Anderson as the conniving Mrs. Danvers. The minute we are introduced to her we instantly know she is a right cow! As a very strong secondary character, she is one you want to hate but at the same time you also can't wait for her next scene. Shame she lost out on winning the Academy Award for Supporting Actress (it went to Jane Darwell for The Grapes Of Wrath.) One of Alfred Hitchcock's finest, most polished movies. His direction is so smooth and the gorgeous black and white photography really stands out on the screen too adding to a moody and atmospheric feel. The story is interesting and the viewer is glued to watching as the situation unfolds into an unexpected twist ending. A must see. Did it deserve the Oscar? YES. 8/10

Review date: 14 February 2025