Hitchcock thriller on tap for Movie Night at the Museum

The Northwest Montana History Museum’s next Movie Night at the Museum begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, with the 1940 psychological thriller “Rebecca.”

In this Alfred Hitchcock classic, the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier) and his new bride (Joan Fontaine) retire to his seaside estate to a lifetime of happiness. But the memory of Maxim’s first wife Rebecca (kept alive by her still-devoted housekeeper Mrs. Danvers) looms over the marriage like a specter. When a body is discovered offshore, the specter is seemingly corporealized, and Rebecca’s is not the only life at stake.

“Rebecca” is based on a 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. Hitchcock and producer David O. Selznick originally had drastically different visions of what the film should be: Selznick wanted to adopt the novel as faithfully as possible, while Hitchcock's (ultimately rejected) screenplay virtually changed the entire story. Selznick won out in the end, to the point that he personally supervised retakes, laid in the score, and edited the footage. “Rebecca” won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the only Hitchcock film to do so.

Everyone is welcome at the Northwest Montana History Museum, however, anyone with a cough, a fever, or who is feeling under the weather is asked to stay home for your own health and that of the staff and other supporters.

There is no charge for the film, and donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of showing the films. Popcorn is also free; wine, beer, pop and water will be for sale. Seating is provided, but film fans can bring their own floor pillows, portable chairs, or whatever is comfortable for viewing the film.

The Northwest Montana History Museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 406-756-8381 for more information.