Thursday, October 29, 2009

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

94 comments:

  1. I could not stand her in Rebecca!
    She looked like the face of evil to me!Not that I really know what it looks like! :)

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  2. oh delicious poem willow...shivers up my spine...

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  3. I love this movie and saw it again a few nights ago. Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Haviland, her sister, are still alive in their 90's and haven't spoken for years. Their feud started when Fontaine won the Oscar for Suspicion. I think I love Rebecca best of Fontaine's films.

    That poem pretty much sums up the mood-- beautifully and eerily. Wonderful!

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  4. I'm sitting safe at work, but I just had a chill run up my spine. Thanks! Nothing like a little fear to make work more intersting.

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  5. She was a great actress; both the book and the film are in my treasures cupboard!

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  6. Did you have to bring her up so near to Halloween? It certainly was the kind of ssustaied cold dread she infused one with with that performance that whenever I think of the tale still lingers on. She really underscored the hapless Rebecca's unsuspecting helplessness.

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  7. Wonderfully atmospheric stuff Willow. You mix information and art so well.

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  8. Wonderful Manderlay poem! Isn't that scene at the window scary!

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  9. What a cold expression. Very creepy.

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  10. How well you use the opening line of the book to introduce your well written, chilling poem. Shivers.

    Mrs Danvers was one of most scary villains ever without having to hold a weapon or shoot someone in the head, so typical of our films today. Although I haven't seen the film for years, she remains with me to this day. Talk about a psychological thriller. Her whole demeanour said 'evil'.

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  11. Oh yes I remember her well. She is a silent killer, just by looking a you. But I thought Bette Davis in her evil roles, is more frightening.

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  12. One of my all time favorites! What a great story Rebecca was. Glad to know that you retain the characters (as I do) long after the read.

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  13. Well chosen for Halloween - Maleficent, Magnificent!
    The poem is chilling.

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  14. magnificent poem, bone chilling...

    much love

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  15. I loved the raw and green image and the refrain of "listen, listen to the sea". Haunting, to be sure.

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  16. What makes that movie absolutely frightening is the sense of isolation that you feel from the landscape and that house. Everyone is a little creepy including Maxim De Winter at first, At the very beginning of the movie when she says "Last night I dreamt that I went to Manderley again" makes me think she's having a nightmare.

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  17. Judith Anderson's face is the icon for Rebecca, in any format! Poem captures that frightful moment (book) perfectly; well done.

    And because I am ignorant, what is the name of the painting that is now your header? (have you posted about it?)Most interesting...

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  18. Yes, ds, I just posted about Xavier Mellery and the name of this painting in my previous post!

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  19. I have the book, Rebecca, copyright 1938. It's a dark red cover with a band of silver running across it on which Manderly is drawn in a dark blue ink. It's a rare find from our annual library book sale, I'm glad I came across it.

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  20. Great actress, great movie, great poem. An alter ego, Willow? Or, your Hallowe'en character?

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  21. Oh, Joanne, you lucky girl! Sounds wonderful. I have a vintage copy of the book, as well, but it's a plain pale blue and kind of dusty looking.

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  22. Australia does seem to produce some wonderful actors. I recall the movie, she really was frightening, though, oddly, this portrait of her as Mrs. Danvers doesn't look very scary to me. While read Rebecca a few months ago, my memories of her in the movie resurfaced. Yes, frightening is a good word to describe Mrs. Danvers!

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  23. Wonderful post. I will have to read 'Rebecca' again. Its been so long...

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  24. Never saw the movies or read Hamlet, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn!! :)

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  25. In 1997 or so PBS Masterpiece Theatre put on a production of "Rebecca" with Diana Rigg playing Mrs. Danvers. She was excellent as well, and put a slightly different spin on the character, and almost made her human. Almost.

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


    You have a way with words.

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  26. When I was about 14 0r 15 all I did was read. I will never forget that book. Don't remember seeing the movie but I am going to pull in up and get it. Your poem is chilling and right on the mark.
    QMM

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  27. Love your post! Love "Rebecca" -- When is that film going to hit DVD, I wonder. It's one of my favorite books, too. Thanks so much for mentioning Mrs. Danvers. A perfect witch for Halloween!

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  28. Must confess that it was I who brought the lovely Lady Danvers to the Ball. I personally found her to be rather fun loving..but she does inspire some(such as you) to write excellent poems about her alter ego....hahaha

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  29. Willow..good stuff.

    Now, as for Mrs. Danvers...I am jotting down Rebecca as I have not seen it in years and want to revisit it...

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  30. Lyn, for the life of me, I couldn't remember exactly who it was who brought Mrs. Danvers. She was quite the fascinating guest. You were so clever to have brought her!

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  31. AngelMay, it is available on DVD, in all it's luminous glory!

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  32. She was such a villian in Rebecca! An awful person.
    And your poetry always amazes me.

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  33. no doubt.
    she was sooooo scary.

    that pic of her freaks me out.
    xx

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  34. Wonderful post, Willow. I always learn something new here. I have never heard of that Australian actress before. I love the poem which is so atmospheric. Daphne du Maurier was almost too good at evoking haunting characters and scenarios. Have you read her book The Rebecca Notebooks where she detailed the process of writing Rebecca? It is fascinating. I feel like rereading the book, the notebooks and also watching the film! xx

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  35. And for us "Trekkers," she also appeared in "Star Trek: The Search For Spock."

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  36. Oh, right, Skip, I saw that episode! She had her head shaved and played a clone of Patrick Stewart.

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  37. Willow, are you channeling her in this poem? Superb.

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  38. Lakeviewer, no, but I know someone just like her, so I'm an expert!

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  39. Rebecca is one of my favorite books and Anderson did an amazing job protraying Mrs. Danvers! Love your poem!

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  40. Ooooo....love the poem and I also adore the picture on your blog header. Lovely

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  41. awesome-est poem Ms. Willow- I nearly went into a catatonic state reading it - it is that good!
    Rebecca, not my favorite of Daphne's books- might like to see the film, however...Halloween eve may be a good time for it.

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  42. So frustrated! I tried earlier to comment and blogger would not let me. Then discovered 'ANOTHER UPDATE' had taken place which disallowed cookies on my computer ... and goodness knows, we need to allow cookies in order to log into our own blog!!

    Anyway...I MUST see this movie again. I remember her face. Great post, Willow.

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  43. A wonderful, insidious character! I'm much more familiar with the book than the film and even on the printed page Mrs. Danvers can make your flesh crawl.

    It's an interesting bit of writing -- the first person protagonist remains unnamed throughout -- except for the generic 'Mrs. DeWinter' and even she (the protag) assumes that means the dead Rebecca.

    It's the dead Rebecca who is far more interesting and memorable than the mousey little narrator.

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  44. Vickie, it is very interesting that the second Mrs. DeWinter's given name is never revealed in the book. But, in chapter 3, after she receives a note from Maxim, she says how her name was "spelt correctly, an unusual thing", which implies that her name is either strange or complex. Early in the story, Mr. de Winter compliments her on her "lovely and unusual name".

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  45. Excellent, Willow. I'm remembering those movies now, too--they were great! Finally getting back to read some of my favorite blogs (from dreary and unfortunately wet) New Orleans tonight!

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  46. This is one of my very favorite books of all time!!! Yes, Mrs. Danvers is so very scary! Thanks for the information, now I have to read the book again and watch the movie. Perfect for Halloween night, I think.

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  47. LOL have you read Fforde? They have an entire army of Danvers in The Well of Lost Plots!

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  48. Hmmmm..... now you've got me thinking about the best portrayals of female villains.

    Tough subject ... so many great performances.

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  49. What a great choice Willow and your poem fits just perfectly. The opening scene of the movie must be one of the most beguiling ever.

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  50. No, no...don't listen to the see. It is filled with the calling of the jealous dead.

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  51. What a superb post! And what a superb movie that was! I remember seeing her in Rebecca, a movie I have not seen for maaaaaaaaaany years now, and it chilled my soul. Thanks for the great poem, too.

    Greetings from London.

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  52. Mrs. Danvers is definitely the most frightening lesbian ever!

    It's probably her who was haunting you and your sister.

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  53. Typical Gothic tragedy. Beautiful home that speaks to your soul versus the sad, scary stuff that goes with it. I always want to find a way to keep the house and make it a happy place. My dreams always seem to feature houses, but with a maze of rooms and something important to do or find in the maze. I enjoyed your post.

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  54. Wonderful poem Willow! I cannot tell you how much I love this film and it is especifically because of her brilliant performance. I love how you shared that first line of the book. I think it is a very successful book adaptation.

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  55. Rebecca was one of the first "grown up" novels I ever read, but I've never seen the film! Will definitely check it out!

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  56. Mrs Danvers and Nurse Ratchett.....*shudders*

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  57. wonderful poem....

    yes, yes time to go to manderley - gotta make a run to the library to check out rebecca!!

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  58. Wonderful poem! Rebecca is one of my most favorite books, and the movie is pretty good too!

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  59. Better not open the door when this lady knocks! :-)

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  60. Don't worry. When this lady knocks, I am hiding behind the couch!

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  61. That poem gives me the creeps. lol

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  62. oh! i LOVE this movie. it is one of my all time favorites - of course, the old b&w's are fantastic and hitchcock is great. i've been watching "rebecca" since i was in elementary school and home sick.

    mrs. danvers is a fantastic villan.

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  63. Hello Willow,

    Poetry seems to be bubbling up inside you! Very chilling, this one. Difficult for an actress to be forever identified with an evil person.

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  64. yes, that is one scary face. Your poem is perfect the sea the sea

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  65. What more can I add?

    Happy Halloween!

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  66. I thought that one was a great movie!Great poem too Willow!

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  67. Well writ.

    Have you read (or seen) du Maurier's Jamaica Inn?

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  68. I'm reminded of Nurse Ratched for some reason.

    Love the new banner, by the way. LOVE the new banner.

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  69. Daryl, I haven't seen Hitchcock's "Jamaica Inn" in a while. Charles Laughton is always a treat, as is Maureen O'Hara. (It's time for another watch!) I haven't read Du Maurier book, though.

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  70. Love that book and saw the play years ago. I'll have to look for the movie - sounds like a treat! (as does 'Sweetie' in your 'Goings on at the Manor' column)

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  71. How wonderfully scary!

    Yes, Mrs. Danvers, in both book and movie--truly shiver-inspiring.

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  72. That was Dame Judith in Laura? How could I have missed that in the credits?!? Or maybe my Swiss-cheesy memory let it slip my mind at a later date?

    Alternate theory: I was too entranced by Gene Tierney to care who else was in the flick...

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  73. I love your poem. I'll see if any of Dame Judith's films are around.

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  74. Mr. Fox, yup, I think it was because Gene Tierney's presence made everyone else chopped liver.

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  75. I was thinking about this woman all night! I think also what made the film so dramatic - apart from the wild Cornish coast - was the fact that it was in black and white.

    Charles Laughton? My God - "Witness for the Prosecution"

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  76. And Danvers really earned this poem!
    Willow, have you seen the film DAPHNE...about duMaurier?
    I have it in my Neflix queue!

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  77. Wonderful poem, wonderful Rebecca, I am off to find it once again. Thank you for reminding me just how creepy Mrs Danvers is.

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  78. Bee, Charles Laughton was so good in "Witness for the Prosecution". And fabulous in "Mutany on the Bounty". Did you know he only directed one film, the brilliant and chilling "The Night of the Hunter"? It wasn't well received when it came out in 1955, but is now recognized as a classic. Sadly, Laughton died before realizing what an excellent job he did.

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  79. FireLight, "Daphne" is being added to my Netflix queue immediately! Thanks for the recommend, dear friend. (hey, that rhymes) :)

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  80. I think this is suitable scary and halloweeny.
    Yes, Mrs.Danvers is the consummate evil doer
    up there with Iago....

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  81. Yes! I remember her from Rebecca very well!

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  82. Fabulous post Willow - another evokative, somewhat dark, yet ingruiging poem. Dame Judith was born in my home town of Adelaide, just 10 kms. from us here in the Adelaide Hills. The Danvers role was a triumph, yet each time I see the film I feel vague stirrings of empathy for the character, yet I know I shouldn't. I once read that the good Dame was often cast in roles calling for refined truculence. I can sooo relate to that!
    Millie ^_^

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  83. I saw her in person, playing her most famous stage role, "Medea". I was probably 17. My high school English teacher was writing his Master's thesis on Robinson Jeffers, author of the play. She was awesome.

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  84. Cal Girl, I am SO envious!! I would have loved to have seen her in person. I'm sure was was a force to behold!

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  85. Mrs. Danvers was truly evil. That book is one of my favorite ways to scare myself silly.

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  86. Yes, quite agree. Love that movie though.

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  87. I love your poems!

    You know, I thought Diana Rigg did a splendid job as good ole "Danni" in the 1997 version from Mobil Masterpiece Theater..This will be the perfect weekend to watch it again..

    I used to tout with great pride that my mother named me after this book. That was, until I read it in junior high school and found out what a wretched woman Rebecca was.:-O

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  88. oh MY! My family just returned from a holiday in Dartmoor, and our cottage was perched on the border between Devon and Cornwall. When, on an outing, our car passed into Cornwall, my daughter brought out her copy of "Rebecca" and read from it until we passed back into Devon, and then she put it away! There has never been a book or film like it. And I quite liked the Emilia Fox/Charles Dance version as well.

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  89. OH!!!!! She is so scary!! I think I will go read Rebecca again. Thank you for the reminder.
    So Errie! How about the "Thirteenth Tale"... So good too!
    xxx kim

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  90. I have never seen that movie. It sounds like a good date flick.

    The poem is a fear fest. Happy TT

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  91. Wonderful poem! Made me shiver in spite of my space heater!

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  92. I love your blog and your images - but I think I am drawn most to your poetry. Each is an absolute gem that dazzles and seduces me to feel the words, experience the emotion, go to that place.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)