Steve Hayes reviews Hitchcock's 1940 classic, which is one of your Head Trucker's all-time favorites:
Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier star in Alfred Hitchcock's first American production, David O' Selznick's version of Daphne DuMaurier's REBECCA. An extremely faithful and glamorous adaptation of the bestselling suspense classic, REBECCA was shot in the grand tradition that had been set the previous year by Selznick's Oscar winning production of GONE WITH THE WIND. Eager to make a successful follow-up, Selznick imported British director Alfred Hitchcock and set him on his way to a brilliant career in America by giving him the only picture he ever directed that would win the Best Picture Oscar. Besides the two glamorous leads, the supporting cast includes George Sanders, Gladys Cooper, Nigel Bruce, the hilarious Florence Bates in her screen debut as Mrs. Van Hopper and the unforgettable Dame Judith Anderson as the evil housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. Thanks to Selznick, REBECCA is lavish, romantic filmmaking at its best, directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.
%20Solitaire%20au%20cafe%CC%81%20(1921)%20gouache%20and%20pencil%20on%20paper39.8%20x%2028.2%20cm.jpg)
2 comments:
OMG, just one of my most favorite of all movies and stories. such a finely crafted tale and film. what a wonderful review. i love Steve Hayes. (you still need to check out "adam and steve" where he plays God).
i loved the part where he tells how Hitchcock let L.O. and them snub dear Joan Fontain to keep her off balance for her part. he (hitch) was a master of his craft. surprized to here that Joan's sis, Olivia didn't try for the part if they were trying gone with the wind gals. yet this was Joan's big moment yea! and my favorite snipit of info... her character has no name in this story... she is always overshadowed by "Rebecca"
a masterpiece of a tale
Definitely a masterpiece, and perfectly rendered as a work of cinema. I can't think how it could be improved upon, can you?
Post a Comment