Alfred Hitchcock had a real showdown with his producer David O. Selznick to manage to finish one of the classics of his filmography: “Rebecca”.
If Alfred Hitchcock is the only director of Rebecca, it must be recognized that the film had many difficulties to end. Due to disagreements with his producer, the filming will not be easy. And that’s why.
In 1939, Alfred Hitchcock had just shot La Taverne de la Jamaïque, based on a novel by Daphne Du Maurier and following an aborted project, was hired by producer David O. Selznick to bring another of the books of the author, Rebecca. And as usual, “Hitch” revisits the original story.
Selznick International Pictures
He retains the initial idea, that of a deceased woman whose imprint is still palpable in the lives of those close to her, and goes with her version. It was his way of working in the UK, and he doesn’t intend to change it when he arrives in the United States. Except Selznick, who bought the rights to the book, wants to see the book brought to the screen, not its reimagining.
He wrote to Hitchcock on June 12, 1939 that his treatment of the story was “distorted and vulgarized”. The novel is a bestseller and according to him, it is necessary to give to the fans of the book what they expect from it.
Selznick International Pictures
The two men then how a showdown between two opposing visions. What matters to Selznick, besides respecting the book, is that he wants the main character, played by Joan Fontaine, to be as strong as in the original story. He therefore directs his director towards what he wishes.
Hitchcock, who had just arrived from the UK and left part of his family behind when war broke out, suddenly felt vulnerable. He reacts by choosing to shoot only what he needs in the final cut. Already having the editing in mind, he films with string so that Selznick cannot make another edit than his own.
Selznick International Pictures
He also manages to dismiss some of Selznick’s suggestions like that the smoke from the final fire draw an “R”. Hitchcock prefers to show this “R” embroidered on a fiery earring.
In the end, the producer and the director are constantly making compromises and the final film, which bears their mark on both of them, will collect 11 Oscar nominations, even winning the statuette for Best Picture and Best Cinematography. Named Best Director, Hitchcock lost to John Ford for The Grapes of Wrath.
Selznick International Pictures
Rebecca sets foot in the stirrup at Hitchcock in Hollywood, but the filmmaker moves away from the suspense film for a while with Correspondent 17 and Marriage Joys. He will return to it with Shadow of a Doubt and Suspicion, which will earn Joan Fontaine (star of Rebecca) an Oscar for Best Actress.
A remake was released on Netflix in 2020, but did not have the impact of the original film.