thx

The character of Ms. Van Hopper is that of a mean, overbearing, malicious social climber. She fawns on those she wishes to impress and treats with contempt anyone who is below her social status. Van Hopper's awful manners are a foretaste of what is to come in the character of Ms. Danvers, who is not only vicious but unhinged. The story is set up to present the unnamed wife of DeWinter in a web of deceit and treachery, not of her own making.

@@jackdempsey7169 thank you Jack, good synopsis.

The position Fontaine refers to is her former social position......that of the ordinary people. She had been a paid companion for Ms. Hopper. Here she is in the social caste of being high in society and expected to be able to present herself and her husband in that light. In the story, she knew this from the beginning, but Maxim tells her that she will fit in perfectly......not an honest appraisal of what was expected of her. That is why Ms. Hopper in her cruel manner told her that she would never carry off the switch in lifestyle changes. I think the storyline is somewhat weak here by the author because Maxim (her husband) is not honest with her not only at this point but also in his refusal to tell her about the dark side of Rebecca and the grief she presented for everyone.

Ah, no, this is Alfred Hitchcock's first American film. Released in 1940 , His first under contract to David O'Selznick who paid to bring Hitch, wife Alma, and daughter Pat over on the QE2