Rebecca (novel) his deceased wife, Rebecca. The supernatural reaction of the portrait doesn't convince him and so he places her in a cupboard. The 1970 Parallel Time storyline of the Gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows" was heavily inspired by "Rebecca" including the costume ball scene. Also the second "Dark Shadows" motion picture, "Night of Dark Shadows" took inspiration from the novel including a mention by Kate Jackson's character who hopes the housekeeper is not like Mrs. Danvers The fifth episode of the second series of "That Mitchell and Webb Look" contains an extended sketch parodying the 1940 film, in which Rebecca is
Daphne du Maurier her life in Cornwall, where most of her works are set. As her fame increased, she became more reclusive. Her parents were the actor/manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and stage actress Muriel Beaumont, and her grandfather was the cartoonist and writer George du Maurier. Daphne du Maurier was born in London, the middle of three daughters of prominent actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and actress Muriel Beaumont. Her mother was a maternal niece of journalist, author, and lecturer William Comyns Beaumont. Her grandfather was author and "Punch" cartoonist George du Maurier, who created the character of Svengali in the novel