secured George Cukor as director. However, du Maurier and Cukor reviewed a screenplay draft and found it unfaithful to the novel, with du Maurier declaring it "Quite desperate." Cukor also disapproved of the comedic additions, and without achieving his desired revisions to the screenplay, opted to quit, with Fox's press release explaining his departure as being due to "artistic differences." Henry Koster later took over Cukor's role, with Burton's never learning whether Cukor was fired or had quit. According to Burton, Cukor planned for either Greta Garbo or Vivien Leigh to star as Rachel. The part ultimately went to de Havilland, marking her first film role since The Heiress (1949). My Cousin Rachel also marked Richard Burton's first time starring in a U.S. film. Although uninterested in the novel or screenplay, Burton accepted the role due to his respect for Cukor, and he traveled to New York City for production. Background shots were filmed in Cornwall, where the story is set. According to Koster, in one scene Burton had to climb around a house, but had difficulty and kept falling off it. Due to the fact that Burton repeatedly struck his head on the wall, Koster feared the blows could prove fatal, and the crew had to physically restrain Burton from retrying. Aside from the episode, Koster described Burton as calm towards him and de Havilland throughout production. Before agreeing to appear in the movie, Burton was determined to hold out for a fee of 7,000 English pounds () (at the time, about $18,000 USD). He was surprised to learn that Fox offered him $50,000. He accepted the offer, but later was disappointed with the behavior of his co-star de Havilland. She asked director Koster to inform everyone on the set that she was to be referred to as "Miss de Havilland" instead of the more informal "Livvie", a nickname that, until then, had been used by others when working with her. Reception Critical reception Bosley Crowther, writing for The New York Times, declared the film to be an "excellent" adaptation of du Maurier's work, praising its suspense, atmosphere and Burton's performance. Variety'''s review positively reviewed the tone of the film and credited Burton for giving "a strong impression". Upon seeing the finished film, du Maurier was disappointed, enjoying Burton and the shots filmed in the real Cornwall, but feeling de Havilland's portrayal of Rachel lost the mystery that defined