Rebecca

Saw Rebecca, a Hitchcock film about an extremely rich widower, Mr DeWinters, who falls in love with a working girl (and this the 40s, so think governess or maid.) The rich man brings her back to the family home which is swarming with butlers, where everything is a museum to the memory of the previous lady of the house, the titular Rebecca. The poor working girl is terribly intimidated by everyone waiting on her and reacting with arch surprize whenever her wishes differ from those of the Late Mrs DeWinters. When she gets her own coffee the butlers scurry over and tidy up the coffee pot, moving the handle microscopically to be more parallel to the edge of the table.

I knew a rough outline of the plot going in and expected to be frustrated with the protagonist girl. It's testament to Hitchcock's skill that you can understand her intimidation and awkwardness. It's one thing to be served, it's another to be judged or to feel that you're being judged by means of that service. Her husband actually comes off the worst. She's a fish out of water and he tosses her to the piranhas. He does nothing to help, only urging her to be more clumsy and genuine. Rolling over, of course, does not impress the servants.

Being a Hitchcock, this is a great film. The protagonist is so in the shadow of the Late MRs DeWinters that she is not even named. The credits read "Mrs. DeWinters" no first or maiden name. Even in the structure of the film, she does not have her own independent identity. The film has some twists and turns to keep it exciting but the small-world drama of a sweet girl vs a hostile and snooty world, which is always trying to humiliate her, is much more interesting. Such a good film!