Danvers

I think one of the most scary female villains ever is Mrs. Danvers,
the character in Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. In fact, someone
brought her as a guest to the Manor Ball, and I've been thinking
about her ever since. Dame Judith Anderson, 1897 - 1992, played
the character in Hitchcock's chilling film version, and was nominated
for an Oscar for her brilliant performance. Anderson was an
Australian actress of stage and screen. She is generally regarded by
theater critics as the greatest classical actress produced by Australia.

You also might remember her in the role of Ann Treadwell in Otto
Preminger's Laura, 1944. In 1936, Anderson played Gertrude to
John Gielgud's Hamlet in a production which featured Lillian Gish
as Ophelia. And here's a fascinating note, in 1970 she realised a long
held ambition to play the role of Hamlet herself, which she did on a
national tour of the United States and at New York's Carnegie Hall
at the age of 73.

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

Pandering at Danvers' knee,
my sweaty palms all raw and green.
Listen, listen to the sea.

We all have our particular devil,
jump is what you need to do.
Go ahead, jump and it will all be done.

Blackmail fails, and thank the fates,
like Manderley, your protocol
goes up in flames.

I'm safe in exile, free from dread,
far away from Nazi games,
with Maxim, now my captain.

Do you think the jealous dead
come back to see the living?
Listen, listen to the sea.

I hope to God you never call on me.



willow, 2009