Lane Cove has eleven Street Libraries! How good is that! In the Cove have documented them here.
One of the local street libraries offered up a surprise
lockdown find - Rebecca, a
movie that won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It is a 1940 Alfred Hitchcock
black and white classic.
Rebecca is the former wife of Maxim de Winter. As the movie
opens Maxim completes a rapid holiday courtship of a young lass. Prior to
departing from the holiday, they marry and return to Maxim’s large seaside country
estate.
In entering the house, the new Mrs. de Winter discovers that
she is expected to repeat the same duties of the former wife. She stumbles in adapting
to the task of running the household; Mr de Winter at one time accusing her of
acting like an upstairs maid. A dark old housekeeper keeps the spectre of
Rebecca alive.
While the title character is never seen in the movie, she
influences the whole plot.
Yet to settle in the house, the new Mrs. de Winter - aged in her twenties - dons the
spectre of Rebecca with hope that she may be a better fit to the expectations
of the house servants. Maxim’s rapid response comforts his new wife:
Mrs. de Winter: I wish
I were a woman of 36, dressed in black satin with a string of pearls!
Maxim de Winter: You
wouldn't be here with me if you were.
A turning point in the movie comes when the new Mrs. de
Winter finally takes control. This is marked by the removal of items that maintain
the memory of Rebecca. Hitchcock masterfully marks this moment through a confrontation
of the new Mrs. de Winter and the long-serving housekeeper.
Like all good movies there is a dramatic plot twist and a solid ending. I'll not offer any spoilers other than to say that Rebecca's lasting presence is felt.
Enjoy the movie rugged up with hot chocolate and homemade ginger
snaps. It is yours to watch on collection from the street library on the corner of Centennial Ave and Elizabeth
Parade. The DVD is unmarked and includes some added features.
Shalom,
Ozhamada
