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BS: Rebecca - what a wimp!
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BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! |
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Subject: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Will Fly Date: 12 Apr 14 - 09:40 AM Hitchcock's "Rebecca" is just about to come on the TV (yes, I know I should be about composting or mulching or some such - but I ain't, so there!) I'm not watching it because, every time I see it, I get pissed off with Rebecca's wimpish character. Why on earth can't she tell Mrs. Danvers to go and boil her tits! What a wimp... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Jack the Sailor Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:09 AM Movies would be pretty dull if every character was the same. Vive la difference? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: MGM·Lion Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:11 AM You have it wrong, Will! Rebecca is the undeservedly revered ex-wife. The name of the protagonist, the second Mrs Winter (the one you find wimpish) is never revealed. ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: MGM·Lion Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:16 AM That should be Mrs de Winter; sorry. There was, in fact, a sequel later published by Susan Hill, called Mrs de Winter. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Will Fly Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:31 AM Quite correct, Michael - it's the second Mrs. de Winter I'm referring to. Still makes me cross. :-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: MGM·Lion Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:33 AM What is wrong with the Hitchcock is that, because of the idiocies of the Hays Code in force in Hollywood when it was made, the ending had to be feebly fudged. In Daphne du Maurier's original novel, it transpires that Rebecca, despite her lesbian lover Mrs Danvers' and her het lover Favell's recollections, had been a thorough bitch hated by her husband Maxim; so much so that he had eventually murdered her. But the Hays Code would not allow a murderer to escape the consequences of his crime, so it has to have been rewritten as an accident brought on by her own wilfulness; which really robbed the plot of its main point. Not Hitch's fault; but there it is! ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:34 AM If you read the book you learn that once the second Mrs. de Winter understands the whole story and they are free of the house and the legacy of Rebecca's large life, she is comfortable and at least his equal. But don't watch the movie to get the whole story that is in the book, they changed parts. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: MGM·Lion Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:56 AM All in all, a pretty dire movie indeed, and reading the book, as nearly always, much more rewarding. But still worth a watch for the pleasure of the performances of Olivier, George Sanders, & particularly a magnificently OTT Judith Anderson as Mrs D! Still, like Will, I don't think I could bother to watch it again. ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 12 Apr 14 - 12:00 PM I haven't seen it. I guess I haven't missed anything. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: GUEST,Eliza Date: 12 Apr 14 - 12:46 PM Considering the film as a separate story (since it differs quite radically from the novel) I've always felt that Max de Winter was singularly insensitive to his new wife's nervousness and apprehension in her new and daunting role. He should at least have got rid of all the monogrammed stationery and personal items of his first wife, and been around more during their first few weeks together. She was indeed a bit of a wimp, but was out of her class and very young. Max should at least have engaged a personal maid for her, and chosen some younger house-guests for company. Like Fanny Price in Mansfield Park, the poor lass was completely out of her depth, frightened of doing the wrong thing and very unhappy. In fact, some of the events in Rebecca echo earlier classics; the fire for example has some similarities to that at Thornfield in Jane Eyre. I must agree with earlier posts, the acting was excellent in the film. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: ChanteyLass Date: 12 Apr 14 - 03:59 PM There's a 1997 version which I liked better. Diana Rigg played a formidable Mrs. Danvers. I haven't seen it since it first came out, and can't remember much more about it. It's available here. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119991/ It also is available on YouTube! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 12 Apr 14 - 10:44 PM I'm with you 100%, Will. I read this book as a teenager, and there was a scene where the heroine is too intimidated to tell the housekeeper that she wants (or perhaps doesn't want) brussel sprouts for dinner. I finished the book because all my friends were raving about it, but basically I lot interest after the brussel sprouts sequence. There's an upside, however. Now when I see a bridesmaid wearing a dress that looks like it belongs onstage in a jazz nightclub, I say that the dress looks like something left in Rebecca's closet. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Big Al Whittle Date: 13 Apr 14 - 04:36 AM oh no see it! its wonderful! I love this film. of course it would have been a happier story if jane eyre had said, never mind about old dafty in the attic -lets get it on Rochester baby! of course it would have been easier if they had listened to captain smollet, and not let long john silver pick the crew! but that's not the story! Rebecca is beautiful film. a thing of beauty and a joy forever! the cast is perfect. poor joan fontaine ...so vulnerable, you could kiss her. Olivier only ever exceeded this role with Richard 3. nigel bruce is delightful. George sanders magnificent. and the grotesque American -Rebecca's employer - is absolutely inspired. mrs danvers got the Oscar - and that's about as it should have been. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 13 Apr 14 - 05:39 AM They must have edited the brussel sprouts out of the movie. I'm glad you like it, Al. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: MGM·Lion Date: 13 Apr 14 - 06:36 AM Not Rebecca's employer, Al ~~ Mrs de Winter's! Rebecca is dead, remember! Best ~M~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Big Al Whittle Date: 13 Apr 14 - 07:45 AM I stand corrected as always mike - you are in the right. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Rebecca - what a wimp! From: Big Al Whittle Date: 13 Apr 14 - 07:45 AM I stand corrected as always mike - you are in the right. |
