Character mistake: In the beginning of the film, in the foyer of the hotel, Mrs Van Hopper takes a sip of coffee and declares it "stone cold." Then she sees Max De Winter and offers him coffee, but all she asks the girl to get from a waiter is another cup, when what they need is another cup and a fresh pot of hot coffee.
Rebecca (1940)
1 character mistake - chronological order
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Laurence Olivier, George Sanders, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson
Revealing mistake: After Maxim leaves a note, saying he'll be gone for the day and having him gone should be a welcome relief for her, the girl sits in the morning room, crying. As the camera moves away from the girl, some flowers on the right jiggle from being hit by the camera.
The Second Mrs. De Winter: I've been thinking.
Maxim de Winter: Now why would you want to go and do that for?
Trivia: Hitchcock's cameo appearance, a signature feature of his films, takes place near the end. He is seen outside a phone box when Jack is making a call.
Question: While the De Winters are watching their honeymoon photos, the girl says "I suppose that's why you married me, because you knew I was dull and gauche and inexperienced, and there would never be any gossip about me." Maxim stops the film and, looking like death, says "Gossip! What do you mean?" She says "I don't know. Don't look at me like that. What's the matter? What have I said?" Maxim says "It wasn't a very attractive thing to say, was it?" She says "No. It was rude, hateful." Now, why did she say that? And why did Maxim say what he said? All she said was "There won't be any gossip about me." What's the problem with that?
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Chosen answer: Maxim was previously married (unhappily) to Rebecca, who died tragically and under rather mysterious (and suspicious) circumstances, sparking rumors. Maxim thinks his new wife is referring to that, but she knows nothing about it and was only making an innocent remark, unaware of the rumors. The "rude, hateful" part probably refers to the "dull and gauche and inexperienced" comment - she probably thinks that is what caused his reaction, rather than the "gossip" comment, given she doesn't know the rumors. She is very young and naive and feels inadequate as the wife of a wealthy man. Maxim is older, intimidating her somewhat, and she was confused by his angry outburst.
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