To Joan Fontaine

“You know, I’ve had a helluva life. Not just the acting part. I’ve flown in an international balloon race. I’ve piloted my own plane. I’ve ridden to the hounds. I’ve done a lot of exciting things.” – Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland

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Etherial, beautiful, strong…

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And a wonderful voice…

LUX RADIO THEATER presentation of “SUSPICION” – May 4, 1942

Old Gold Comedy Theater presentation of “The Major And The Minor” – April 1, 1945

General Electric Theater presentation of “The Enchanted Cottage” – September 24, 1953

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“Rebecca” stands or falls on the ability of the book’s “I” to escape caricature. She was humiliatingly, embarrassingly, mortifyingly shy, a bit on the dowdy side, socially unaccomplished, a little dull; sweet, of course, and very much in love with—and in awe of—the lord of the manor who took her for his second lady. Miss du Maurier never really convinced me any one could behave quite as the second Mrs. de Winter behaved and still be sweet, modest, attractive and alive. But Miss Fontaine does it—and does it not simply with her eyes, her mouth, her hands and her words, but with her spine. Possibly it’s unethical to criticize performance anatomically. Still we insist Miss Fontaine has the most expressive spine—and shoulders!—we’ve bothered to notice this season. – Frank S. Nugent, March 29, 1940, New York Times

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To Joan Fontaine – we will miss knowing you’re there.