Rebecca

“I'm asking you to marry me you little fool!” – Maxim (“Rebecca” – 1940)

What happens when everyone frequently compares you to your husband's late first wife? Such is the case in Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 film "Rebecca". This Best Picture Oscar winner stars Sir Laurence Olivier as George Fortescu Maximillian de Winter and Joan Fontaine as the second Mrs. de Winter (her first name was never revealed).  If you’re watching this classic film, watch out for these movie oops!

Lounging Around

After the scene where the future Mrs. de Winter first meets Maxim, she is sitting in the hotel lounge with Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper (Florence Bates).  Watch her hands closely.  The future Mrs. de Winter first has a coffee cup in her right hand.  But, in the very next shot, she has the newspaper in her right hand and the cup is now on her lap, where she’s holding it with her left hand.

Walking the Dog

Maxim and his wife are taking a stroll on the grounds of Manderlay.  Jasper, the dog, runs off to a cottage on the beach.  At first, Jasper is standing in front of the door barking.  In the next shot, however, after the second Mrs. de Winter says “There you are”, Jasper is lying flat, across the bottom of the door.

If You Break It, You Buy It

The new Mrs. de Winter is sitting at the desk when she accidentally hits a small statue, causing it to crash to the floor.  Keep a quick eye on this one!  You’ll see the pieces of the statue twice.  Once when they hit the floor and again when she goes to pick them up.  The pieces of the statue change places between shots!

What Exactly Did She Pick Up?

Three books are on the desk when Mrs. de Winter walks into the room to do her correspondence.  One book, titled “Menus” is on the left side of the desk while the one labeled “Addresses” is in the middle.  When she walks to the desk, Mrs. de Winter picks up the book on the left side of the desk.  This should have been the book labeled “Menus” but the close-up shows she is actually looking through the one titled “Addresses”.

Where Did That Come From?

When Maxim is confessing to his wife in the cottage, he lights a cigarette and sits on the corner of the sofa/couch.  Keep an eye on what is on the sofa/couch.  At first there are papers or newspapers.  When he walks to the door, Mrs. de Winter looks and there is now an ashtray filled with cigarettes on the middle cushion. 

“Rebecca” Is A "Movie Pick Of The Week"!

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© 2005 by Tammy Cordani.  To use the above content you must first obtain written permission.  Please contact Tammy Cordani.  All rights reserved.