Seeing it on a large screen outdoors at Somerset House in London was a recent experience; the rain didn't detract from the enjoyment, even if it did dampen our picnic baskets. The pairing of Olivier and Judith Anderson, who is remarkably unsettling, creates an unparalleled sense of refined dread, easily making this my preferred Hitchcock movie. Joan Fontaine excels at portraying the innocent, devoted nature of the se…

Do you ever wonder if those who have passed on linger to observe the living? Alfred Hitchcock directed *Rebecca*, which was adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s novel of the same name. The film stars Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, and Judith Anderson. George Barnes handled the cinematography, with a score by Franz Waxman. Following her marriage to ‘Maxim’ de Winter (Olivier), the Second Mrs. de Winter (Fontaine) …

This is an exceptional Gothic Thriller that has inspired many similar works but few can match its quality. With "Rebecca" set to premiere on Broadway, I felt it was a good time to revisit what might be my favorite Hitchcock film. I remember vividly the first time I saw this decades ago, recorded on VHS during a late-night showing; I woke up just in time to catch part of it and ended up staying up all night. That’s…

A timid woman hired as a companion, whose name is withheld from the audience (Joan Fontaine), experiences a dramatic shift in her circumstances when a melancholic widower, Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier), asks for her hand and brings her to his impressive home, Manderley. It appears to be a dream come true, but appearances are deceiving. Upon arriving at Manderley, the newly married Mrs. de Winter (who remains …

It's a decent film with a captivating storyline, though the personalities feel somewhat over-the-top, and you can likely guess what happens from early on.