That which makes a masterpiece of "Rebecca," a movie brought to life from a famous plot by good acting, is excellent dramatic photography combined with music well chosen to set the mood for the action. Joan Fontaine brings you to the edge of your chair in the early scenes as she wanders nervously around the great mansion which is pervaded by the ever-lingering memory of her new husband's mysteriously drowned first-wife. The direction of Alfred Hitchcock very nearly matches up to "The 39 Steps" and "The Lady Vanishes," but the plot of "Rebecca" is not as ideally suited to his talent for sustained mystery. Too much coincidence detracts from the force of the plot, especially when the youthful heroine barely escapes being hypnotized into suicide by Rebecca's devoted housekeeper. Within thirty seconds of film time, the audience finds itself in the middle of the next day having discovered the clue which plunges them into the denouement and gives promise of a happy ending. From now on the suspense slackens; you'll leave the theatre with haunting memories of Joan Fontaine and the spectacular photography, rather than limp from the excitement of a mystery story.