Olivier pushed for his real life wife Vivien Leigh to play Mrs De Winter in the movie, to no avail. Joan Fontaine was perfectly cast as the meek little fawn, surrounded by dark forces. I always imagined the character of Rebecca as Vivien Leigh - impossibly beautiful, headstrong and promiscuous, it was Vivien to a tee! A shame Rebecca never actually appeared in the movie, or Vivien would have been perfect casting!

I know and read the book. And I Saw the movie. Which Both we're fantastic. This radioplay is great too. With Vivien Leigh in the lead role. With the famous first lines; "last nicht I dreamed I went tot Menderley again". Hanneke

it’s a treat to her Vivien in this. I can never get enough of her voice!

Wow, both their voices sound so much older. And now that we know the strain that relationship was under, its evident in their performance.

Though Florence Bates was superb as Mrs Van Hopper in the film version, here we have Mrs Van Hopper played by none other than Maleficent herself, actress Eleanor Audley, who was also the voice of Lady Tremaine in Cinderella.

IF. I. DIDN'T. KNOW. IT. WAS. * VIVIAN. LEIGH'S. VOICE, ...... I. WOULDN'T. BELIEVE. IT. !!!!! SHE. SOUNDS. SO. SO. DIFFERENT. .........NOT. AS. SHE. DID. IN. * GONE. WITH. THE. WIND. * AT. ALL. !!!!! BUT. I. COMPLETELY. . ADORE. HER. AS. AN. ACTRESS. !!!!! * SIR. LAWRENCE. OLIVER ' * IS. SUCH. AN. INCREDIBLE. ACTOR. & SUCH. AN. ABSOLUTELY. GORGEOUS. MAN. !!!!!

Wonderful play

Oh, wow! Movie royalty! Vivien Leigh wanted to play the role in the movie but was considered too beautiful. Thank you for the upload, Charlie.

Great post! Thank you! There are two other radio Rebeccas that I know of, one starring Joan Fontaine, the other Margaret Sullavan. In one, Agnes Moorehead plays Mrs. Van Hopper with a flat American accent in a very amusing way. Mildred Natwick was a scary Mrs. Danvers. In the other one, Agnes played Mrs. Danvers. All so talented!

Thankyou for this presentation

This was after Olivier has made the film Carrie and Vivien her 2nd Oscar winning role Streetcar

Hey ho Charlie. Apologies for long delay in getting in touch. I trust you and lovely Theresa are ok despite the snow storms, safe in the arms of Him who holds you tight.🙏 Its been busy at work and challenging at times, thank you for your prayers for me, they are most appreciated 🙏. Latest strikes news is...junior doctors now on strike, various schools closed for a day as teachers strike also, its probably quicker to say who isn't striking🤣 Fatty is well, she has been telling me off for leaving her alone at night this week, (my son who is usually here has been away) at this moment she is asleep on my knees...snoring!!😴😺 The thought came to me, next time shes alone on her own I should leave my iPad playing your playlist for her as she is used to listening with me when I'm home. Things we do for our loved pets😺💓 Charlie love to you and Theresa 💐💐not forgetting Casey, Dewey and the mischievous Tralfaz. I hope Dewey's trip to the dentist wasn't to upsetting. God bless you both and as always keep you in His care.🙏😺💃 15/03/2023 @ 17:20pm

Vivien would have been perfect as Rebecca

Oh wow amazing

Vivian Leigh’s voice sounds too sophisticated and certain of herself to be convincing as the 2nd Mrs De Winter, sadly. Joan Fontaine was the perfect foil to Laurence Oliver’s Max de Winter in the film, the lady Mrs Hopper is very good.

Hello Suspense, I just found your channel and subscribed. I'm a 48 Yr old Irish lady and I really enjoy Lux and BBC radio dramas (but the Lux ones are more interesting, the BBC are often detective stories!). Happy belated New Year from Ireland xx. 10th of January 2022. Xx ps. I just read your name is Charlie (my brother age 37, is Charles too, I'm Mathona but called Mattie, thank you for your work, uploading these dramas.)

Vivien always regretted that she wasn't in the film of Rebecca, with her husband, but I think her beauty counted against her too much. Anne Baxter got close to playing the film role, as she was tested for it in her teens. I think her youth might have helped that feeling of awkwardness, which the young bride had.

Leigh aint perfect for the 2nd Mrs de Winter. But damn it would be gold to see her as Rebecca

What year is this? 50’s? They sound so old.. late 40s

Although Vivian Leigh is an outstanding actress, she’s not right for the part. She doesn’t come across as sweet and innocent no matter how hard she tries to disguise that chain-smoking-voice.

Joan was good but didn't she look too glamorous to play a plain jane? Also, while her lack of confidence helped the character, her criticisms were her strange expressions. Of course, if Vivien was given the opportunity, she would've been directed well by Hitchcock. Her beauty while striking, even makeup could not shield her delicateness and the protagonist was supposed to be a young girl with straight, lanky hair. With the right look, she would have convincing. But alas, she was said to not be interested. Thank you for uploading this! I've been wanting to see her (or hear) essaying this role. Her accent is too posh though. She should have used a proper middle-class educated one. Btw, this radio play seems to be a rip-off of the movie and not adapted from the book. Did they have the rights to do that? The movie made certain alterations from the book, you know.