BECKY SHARP (Pioneer Pictures, released through Radio Pictures, 1935), directed by Rouben Mamoulien, stars Miriam Hopkins in the title role for earned her an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress. Produced at the time where classic literature from famous British novelists as Charles Dickens were brought to life on the motion picture screen, BECKY SHARP, from the famous novel "Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray, is most notable mainly for being the first feature film produced entirely in the new and improved Technicolor process. Though Thackeray's Becky Sharp did get produced to the motion picture screen all as "Vanity Fair" in the silent era (1915, 1923), and an early sound modern-dress adaptation for Allied Studios (1932) starring non-other than Myrna Loy of all people, this latest edition may be the best known but one that should have been an another surefire hit to the studio's earlier success of LITTLE WOMEN (1933). At 83 minutes, this screen comedy-drama, centering upon Becky Sharp and her scheming ways of winning affections of wealthy men, does have its good points, especially when Becky lies, cheats and cries convincingly to those listening her sob stories, while all the while she's laughing from inside thinking what a bunch of fools they are. There's a couple of instances where she lets her victims know she's made fools of them and happy about her accomplishment. At one point Becky does make amends to the hurt she's done Amelia, but throughout, Becky retains her ambition as a social climber, no matter what the odds.
Set in 19th Century England, and basic "Virtue is its own reward" theme, the story opens with Amelia Sedley (Frances Dee), a popular student among classmates and teachers, leaving the boarding school of Miss Pinkerton's Academy. Also at that school is her closest friend, Becky Sharp (Miriam Hopkins), a not-so-popular girl boarding there as a charity case. As Miss Pinkerton (Elspeth Dudgeon) offers Amelia a going away gift of "Doctor Johnson's Dictionary" as a token of her affection, Amelia surprises everybody by having Becky come home and remain with her until she able to support herself. During the course of time, Becky flirts with Amelia's buffoonish brother, Joseph (Nigel Bruce). When things begin to look serious in their relationship, his father sends him away to India. As Amelia finds herself with two childhood suitors, Captain William Dobbins (Colin Tapley) and George Osborne (G.P. Huntley Jr.), and decision which one to marry, Becky soon lands a position as governess for Pitt Crawley (William Stack) and his unruly children. She agrees to the position upon meeting Captain Random Crawley (Alan Mowbray) of the British Army, who then offers her a new position caring for his rich aunt, Julia (Alison Skipworth), and later another position as his wife. During a society ball hosted by the snobbish Lady Barreacres (Billie Burke), Becky attracts the attention of the Marquis of Steyne (Cedric Hardwicke) who becomes fascinated by her. The function is interrupted by cannon sounds at a distance, where soldiers, including Random, immediately take off to what's to become Napoleon Bonaparte's battle at Waterloo. After the war, problems arise for Becky as Random meets with 500 pound gambling debt, and her husband's suspicions as to how she acquired the large sum of money to help pay off his debts. Other members of the cast include: William Faversham (Duke of Wellington); Charles Richman (General Tufts); Doris Lloyd (Duchess of Richmond); Leonard Mudie (Lloyd Tarquin), among others.
A public domain title, BECKY SHARP began circulation on video cassette starting in the early 1980s about the same time when broadcast on cable television stations as Arts and Entertainment (A&E). It wasn't until March 1993 that the fully restored Technicolor BECKY SHARP with RKO Radio logo intact aired on American Movie Classics as part of its film preservation festival, and then a decade later on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: December 2, 2002), and availability onto DVD from various media sources.
BECKY SHARP appears to contain only small passages to famous pieces of both book and play, which explains why such notable performers as Alison Skipworth and Billie Burke appearing ever so briefly. Had the movie followed the book closely, chances are BECKY SHASRP might have been close to two hour mark or further in its storytelling. Though Hopkins handles her characterization well, it's a wonder how a natural born British actress like Elsa Lanchester in a rare starring role might have handled it? Aside from colorful costumes and mostly British cast, there's also shadowy images captured on the wall and strong musical background that leave a lasting impression and "virtue is its own reward" for Miriam Hopkins. (***1/2)
Set in 19th Century England, and basic "Virtue is its own reward" theme, the story opens with Amelia Sedley (Frances Dee), a popular student among classmates and teachers, leaving the boarding school of Miss Pinkerton's Academy. Also at that school is her closest friend, Becky Sharp (Miriam Hopkins), a not-so-popular girl boarding there as a charity case. As Miss Pinkerton (Elspeth Dudgeon) offers Amelia a going away gift of "Doctor Johnson's Dictionary" as a token of her affection, Amelia surprises everybody by having Becky come home and remain with her until she able to support herself. During the course of time, Becky flirts with Amelia's buffoonish brother, Joseph (Nigel Bruce). When things begin to look serious in their relationship, his father sends him away to India. As Amelia finds herself with two childhood suitors, Captain William Dobbins (Colin Tapley) and George Osborne (G.P. Huntley Jr.), and decision which one to marry, Becky soon lands a position as governess for Pitt Crawley (William Stack) and his unruly children. She agrees to the position upon meeting Captain Random Crawley (Alan Mowbray) of the British Army, who then offers her a new position caring for his rich aunt, Julia (Alison Skipworth), and later another position as his wife. During a society ball hosted by the snobbish Lady Barreacres (Billie Burke), Becky attracts the attention of the Marquis of Steyne (Cedric Hardwicke) who becomes fascinated by her. The function is interrupted by cannon sounds at a distance, where soldiers, including Random, immediately take off to what's to become Napoleon Bonaparte's battle at Waterloo. After the war, problems arise for Becky as Random meets with 500 pound gambling debt, and her husband's suspicions as to how she acquired the large sum of money to help pay off his debts. Other members of the cast include: William Faversham (Duke of Wellington); Charles Richman (General Tufts); Doris Lloyd (Duchess of Richmond); Leonard Mudie (Lloyd Tarquin), among others.
A public domain title, BECKY SHARP began circulation on video cassette starting in the early 1980s about the same time when broadcast on cable television stations as Arts and Entertainment (A&E). It wasn't until March 1993 that the fully restored Technicolor BECKY SHARP with RKO Radio logo intact aired on American Movie Classics as part of its film preservation festival, and then a decade later on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: December 2, 2002), and availability onto DVD from various media sources.
BECKY SHARP appears to contain only small passages to famous pieces of both book and play, which explains why such notable performers as Alison Skipworth and Billie Burke appearing ever so briefly. Had the movie followed the book closely, chances are BECKY SHASRP might have been close to two hour mark or further in its storytelling. Though Hopkins handles her characterization well, it's a wonder how a natural born British actress like Elsa Lanchester in a rare starring role might have handled it? Aside from colorful costumes and mostly British cast, there's also shadowy images captured on the wall and strong musical background that leave a lasting impression and "virtue is its own reward" for Miriam Hopkins. (***1/2)