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00:00:00 – 00:55:05
The video follows the journey of Orson Welles as he takes over leadership of the Campbell Playhouse, bringing his notable expertise in theater and radio to the forefront. His inaugural production is the adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel "Rebecca." Key figures include Welles and Margaret Sullivan, who plays the lead role, with David Selznick producing the film adaptation.
The radio dramatization of "Rebecca" weaves a story filled with mystery and romance, centered around a young woman who marries Maxim de Winter and moves to his estate, Mandalay. The haunting presence of Maxim’s late wife, Rebecca, looms over the new Mrs. de Winter, affecting relationships and stirring intrigue. Characters such as Mrs. Danvers and Frank Crawley add depth to the plot, hinting at dark secrets and past turmoil. As layers unfold, the protagonist uncovers bitter truths about Rebecca, leading to a dramatic and gripping climax.
Notably, the narrative touches on themes of love, loss, identity, and the supernatural. The story is richly woven with the atmosphere of Mandalay and the complex dynamics between its inhabitants. The presentation ends with a discussion among Orson Welles, Margaret Sullivan, and Daphne du Maurier, adding insight into their interpretations and future collaborations.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the transition of leadership for the Campbell Playhouse to Orson Welles is announced, highlighting Welles’ remarkable career and achievements in theater and radio. The segment outlines Welles’ approach and vision for the Campbell Playhouse, emphasizing his talent for storytelling and dedication to producing high-quality radio stories from various sources such as literature, stage, and films. The confidence Campbell Soups has in Welles is noted, and upcoming productions, including “A Christmas Carol” with Lionel Barrymore, are previewed. Welles shares his belief that radio audiences consist of intelligent adults and expresses his intent to create engaging and suitable stories for them in the Campbell Playhouse.
00:05:00
In this segment of the video, the host introduces Miss Margaret Sullivan with great admiration, considering her to be his first choice for a significant role. She is cast as the lead in the movie adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel “Rebecca,” produced by David Selznick. The novel “Rebecca” is highly recommended as a must-read and a perfect Christmas gift. Additionally, the Campbell Playhouse is given the honor of creating the first radio dramatization of the book, with the author set to join via shortwave communication from London.
The scene shifts to the actual dramatization, where the character reflects on the past linked to Mandalay, a key location in the story. The narrative then follows interactions between different characters at a restaurant, focusing on the mysterious Mr. Maxim de Winter and the protagonist’s encounter with him. Mrs. Van Hopper, another character, references Mandalay and de Winter’s late wife, setting up a tale of intrigue and romance.
00:10:00
In this part of the video, a woman confides that she is not really friends with her employer but is paid to be her companion. She earns 90 pounds a year for her services, which is substantial for her. She reveals she is 19, has no family, and shares a bond of loneliness with another character who also has no companion. The scene shifts to their drives along the Mediterranean, with her reminiscing about these moments. She expresses a wish to be older but is told she would not be with him if she was. The man reveals a bitter past and desire to start anew. The woman is told to leave if she doesn’t believe he enjoys her company, but she chooses to stay. Eventually, they discuss her employer’s plans to leave for New York, which she dreads. The man offers an alternative: either go to New York or stay with him at Mandalay. He then unexpectedly proposes marriage, to which she responds with disbelief, feeling unworthy of marriage.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the characters are engaged in a deep conversation about their relationship and expectations. One character is uncertain and emotional, while the other clarifies intentions and proposes marriage. The conversation reveals a mix of emotions as they discuss their future, including potential honeymoon plans. Upon visiting a new place called Mandalay, the narrator encounters Mrs. Danvers, a daunting housekeeper who was devoted to Rebecca, the first Mrs. de Winter. The narrator feels scrutinized by the servants and learns that she has been given a room without a sea view, which was specifically requested by Mr. de Winter. Mrs. Danvers’ longstanding presence and her attachment to the first Mrs. de Winter are also highlighted.
00:20:00
In this part of the video, the new resident is reassured that things will be run as they always have been, following the past routines of the household. They learn about the luxurious west wing rooms, particularly the one that belonged to the late Mrs. de Winter, which is never shown to the public. The new resident finds it cold and decides to use the morning room for warmth, as per tradition. During exploration, she finds a letter addressed to “Mrs. M. de Winter,” highlighting the lingering presence of the former Mrs. de Winter. After lunch, the new resident walks towards the sea despite the rain, discovering an old boat house and encountering a man with a disturbing demeanor who speaks of the previous Mrs. de Winter with eerie familiarity. The conversation suggests the former Mrs. de Winter had a mysterious and possibly malevolent presence.
00:25:00
In this segment of the video, a conversation unfolds about a piece of string found in a cottage that was supposedly locked. Maxim expresses his disapproval about visiting the cove, hinting at unpleasant memories associated with the place. The scene shifts to a discussion between the protagonist and Frank Crawley, where questions are raised about Rebecca, her belongings in the cottage, and the boat accident that led to her drowning. Further exploration reveals details about Rebecca’s room maintained in its original state, with emphasis on her bed and the nightdress she wore on the night of her death. The protagonist’s curiosity about Rebecca’s life and her impact on those around her is evident throughout this part.
00:30:00
In this part of the video, a character is showing another person a deceased woman’s belongings, reminiscing about her and the way she used to live. The room and objects are described vividly, emphasizing the lingering presence of the deceased. The character reveals that the woman drowned and suggests that her spirit might still be watching over the house. The tension escalates as the character tries to coerce the other person to jump out of the window, implying they are not wanted in the house. The part concludes with a dramatic moment as the person is forced to confront the open window and the elements outside.
00:35:00
In this part of the video, the narrator details a visit to a beach where a large ship is stranded on a reef, with multiple small boats and a Coast Guard cutter nearby. The diver sent to inspect the ship discovers the hull of a small sailing boat, which belonged to the late Mrs. de Winter, with her body found inside. The harbormaster informs Mrs. de Winter about the discovery, revealing she must break the news to her husband, Maxim. Maxim confesses that he killed Rebecca, his first wife, and sunk the boat to cover up the crime. He expresses fear that Rebecca has ultimately triumphed even in death, but his wife assures him of her unwavering love.
00:40:00
In this segment of the video, the characters discuss their feelings and reveal secrets. They express regret over wasted time and ineffective communication. One character reveals the darker truth about Rebecca and their tumultuous marriage, highlighting Rebecca’s cruelty and manipulation. The character confesses to killing Rebecca in a moment filled with dramatic tension. The scene transitions to a legal context where testimonies are mentioned, indicating the severity of the situation. As they head back to Manderley, an impending sense of doom is conveyed, accompanied by a sense of urgency and foreboding in their drive home.
00:45:00
In this part of the video, the characters discuss a perceived fire at Mandalay, expressing emotions tied to their memories and current state of distress. The narrative shifts to describe dream-like reminiscences of Mandalay and sentiments of unresolved past events. The segment concludes by transitioning to the Campbell Playhouse presentation of Daphne de Maurier’s novel “Rebecca,” followed by a discussion between Orson Welles and Margaret Sullivan about the character she portrayed. They also hint at a forthcoming conversation with de Maurier to clear up a mystery about the character’s name. Finally, Welles makes a personal appeal to Sullivan regarding future collaborations, and the segment ends with a teaser for the next week’s episode.
00:50:00
In this segment, the discussion involves a conversation between Mr. Wells, Mr. Moyer, and Miss Sullivan concerning a play on the Campbell Playhouse. Mr. Moyer, speaking from London, thanks the cast for their splendid interpretations. He answers a query about the descriptions in “Rebecca” and guides how to find a place similar to Mandalay. Additionally, the segment humorously reveals the heroine’s name in “Rebecca” as Mrs. Max de Winter via a cryptic message. The broadcast concludes with credits for the night’s production of “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier, and a preview of next week’s production, “Call it a Day,” highlighting the special guests Beatrice Lillie, Jane Wyatt, and Gene Dunty.