SYNOPSIS: "Becky Sharp" (1935) is a landmark American historical drama directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Miriam Hopkins, who was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. The supporting cast includes William Faversham, Frances Dee, Cedric Hardwicke, Billie Burke, Alison Skipworth, Nigel Bruce, and Alan Mowbray.

Based on the 1899 play by Langdon Mitchell, which itself is an adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel "Vanity Fair," the film follows the ambitious and manipulative Becky Sharp as she navigates English society against the backdrop of Napoleon's Waterloo campaign. Becky, from a family of entertainers, uses her wit and charm to climb the social ladder, insinuating herself into an upper-class family and wreaking havoc on the lives around her.

The screenplay was written by Francis Edward Faragoh. "Becky Sharp" was a milestone in cinema history as the first feature film to utilize the newly developed three-strip Technicolor process throughout, paving the way for more color films in the years leading up to World War II.

PLOT *Spoiler Alert*: "Becky Sharp" is set against the backdrop of early 19th century England and follows Becky Sharp (Miriam Hopkins), a young woman of low birth who is determined to rise above her station. Educated at Miss Pinkerton's Academy for Young Ladies, Becky befriends Amelia Sedley (Frances Dee), a kind-hearted and wealthy heiress. Despite Amelia's warnings about the dangers of Becky's ambitions, Becky sets her sights on Amelia's brother, Joseph Sedley (Nigel Bruce), whom she hopes to marry for his wealth.

When Joseph's engagement to Amelia is broken off due to his gambling debts, Becky's hopes are dashed. She then becomes a governess for Sir Pitt Crawley's (George Hassell) children, entering the Crawley household and catching the eye of Pitt's second son, Rawdon Crawley (Alan Mowbray). Becky quickly maneuvers herself into Rawdon's affections and marries him, despite objections from his family.

As Becky and Rawdon struggle financially, Becky uses her beauty and charm to gain favor among London's elite, eventually catching the attention of the Marquess of Steyne (Cedric Hardwicke), a wealthy and influential nobleman. Steyne becomes infatuated with Becky and offers her wealth and position in exchange for her companionship, leading to a scandalous affair that threatens her marriage and reputation.

Amidst her social climbing, Becky's manipulations and schemes unravel as her relationships with Rawdon and Amelia become strained. Ultimately, Becky's relentless pursuit of status and wealth leads to her downfall, highlighting the consequences of her ruthless ambition in a society driven by class and privilege.

PRODUCTION: "Becky Sharp" (1935), directed by Rouben Mamoulian and produced by Kenneth Macgowan for Pioneer Pictures, holds the distinction of being the first feature-length film to utilize the revolutionary three-strip Technicolor process. This innovation not only heightened its visual allure but also established a new benchmark for color cinematography in Hollywood.

John Hay "Jock" Whitney and Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney established Pioneer Pictures expressly to pioneer color filmmaking, securing a distribution deal with RKO Radio Pictures. Following successful productions like "La Cucaracha," "Becky Sharp," and "Dancing Pirate" (1936), they partnered with David O. Selznick to form Selznick International Pictures. Despite being copyrighted by Pioneer Pictures, Selznick International's films "A Star Is Born" and "Nothing Sacred" (both 1937) were released through United Artists, marking a pivotal shift in production and distribution strategies.

Originally helmed by Lowell Sherman, who tragically passed away during production, "Becky Sharp" was completed by Mamoulian, who opted to reshoot the entire film, disregarding Sherman's footage. This decision underscored Mamoulian's commitment to delivering a cohesive and visually stunning cinematic experience.

COLOR: "Becky Sharp" stands out as a landmark in the evolution of cinema due to its use of the three-strip Technicolor process, a breakthrough that revolutionized color filmmaking. Unlike earlier experiments where Technicolor was employed for isolated sequences or musical numbers, "Becky Sharp" boldly integrated this advanced technology throughout the entire film.

Prior to "Becky Sharp," Hollywood had flirted with Technicolor in snippets: MGM's "The Cat and the Fiddle" showcased its capabilities in its final musical scene in 1934, while other films like "The House of Rothschild" and "Kid Millions" experimented with Technicolor for brief sequences. Warner Brothers and RKO Pictures also tested the waters with Technicolor in shorts like "Service with a Smile" and "La Cucaracha" respectively.

However, "Becky Sharp" broke new ground by committing entirely to the three-strip process. This method involved using separate strips of film to capture the primary colors—red, green, and blue—resulting in a more vibrant and lifelike portrayal of color on screen. The decision to utilize Technicolor for the entirety of "Becky Sharp" was a bold artistic and technical choice, setting it apart as a visually stunning masterpiece in the cinematic landscape of the 1930s.

By harnessing Technicolor's full potential, "Becky Sharp" not only elevated its visual appeal but also paved the way for future filmmakers to explore the creative possibilities of color in storytelling. Its influence resonates even today, underscoring its enduring significance as a trailblazer in the history of color development in cinema.

RELEASE: Upon its release, "Becky Sharp" garnered significant praise from critics and audiences alike. The Hollywood Reporter lauded the film, particularly highlighting Miriam Hopkins' captivating portrayal of the ambitious Becky Sharp. Described as bringing depth to the character with a mix of cunning and vulnerability, Hopkins' performance was singled out as a standout element. 

In his review for The Spectator, Graham Greene acclaimed the film's use of color as central to its appeal, describing it as a triumph in cinematic storytelling. Despite minor criticisms about the Technicolor's impact on facial tones and some aspects of the film's climax, Greene ultimately found "Becky Sharp" to be a delightful visual experience that pleased the eye.

The release of "Becky Sharp" marked a significant moment in Hollywood's history, not only as the first feature film to fully utilize the three-strip Technicolor process but also as a critical and artistic achievement. Its blend of innovative technology, compelling performances, and period drama resonated with audiences of its time, solidifying its place as a pioneering classic in the realm of color cinematography.

CAST:

• Miriam Hopkins as Becky Sharp

• Frances Dee as Amelia Sedley

• Cedric Hardwicke as Marquess of Steyne / Sir Pitt Crawley

• Billie Burke as Lady Bareacres

• Alison Skipworth as Miss Crawley

• Nigel Bruce as Joseph Sedley

• Alan Mowbray as Rawdon Crawley

• G.P. Huntley Jr. as George Osborne

• William Stack as Pitt Crawley

• George Hassell as Sir Pitt Crawley

• William Faversham as Duke of Wellington

• Charles Richman as General Tufto

• Doris Lloyd as Duchess of Richmond

• Colin Tapley as William Dobbin

• Leonard Mudie as Tarquin

• May Beatty as Briggs

• Charles Coleman as Bowles

• Bunny Beatty as Lady Blanche

• Finis Barton as Miss Flowery

• Olaf Hitter as The Prince Regent

• Pauline Garon as Fifine

• Jimmy Robinson as Sedley's page

• Elspeth Dudgeon as Miss Pinkerton

• Tempe Pigott as The Charwoman

• Ottola Nesmith as Lady Jane Crawley

CREW:

• Director: Rouben Mamoulian

• Producer: Kenneth Macgowan

• Writers: Francis Edward Faragoh (adaptation), Langdon Mitchell (play), William Makepeace Thackeray (novel)

• Cinematographer: Ray Rennahan

• Editor: Archie Marshek

• Music: Roy Webb

• Art Director: Robert Edmond Jones

Production Company: Pioneer Pictures
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures

Release Date: June 28, 1935
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 84 minutes
Budget: $950,000
Box Office Return: $1.1 million

IMDB Rating =  5.8 / 10

TRIVIA:

• "Becky Sharp" was the first feature-length film to use the three-strip Technicolor process for the entire         duration of the film.

• Initial reactions to the Technicolor in "Becky Sharp" were mixed, with one critic comparing the cast's     appearance to "boiled salmon dipped in mayonnaise."

• Miriam Hopkins was initially dropped from the project due to salary disputes, leading to consideration of   Myrna Loy and Claudette Colbert for the lead role before Hopkins returned to the production.

• Billie Burke, fourth-billed in the credits, appears in only one scene with two lines of dialogue.

• Preview audiences initially complained of unintelligible sound, leading to a complete re-recording of the   soundtrack using a different process.

• Miriam Hopkins is on screen for the entire 84-minute running time of the film.

• Upon re-release in 1945 by Film Classics, the film was printed in the less expensive Cinecolor process   rather than Technicolor.

• Despite its elaborate costumes, "Becky Sharp" does not credit a costume designer.

• Miriam Hopkins received her only Oscar nomination for her performance in "Becky Sharp."

• Some pre-production news items referred to the film as "Vanity Fair."

• Pat Nixon, future First Lady of the United States, made her feature-film debut as an uncredited extra in the   ballroom scene while attending USC.

• Miriam Hopkins, originally cast despite being about ten years older than her character, underwent elocution   lessons to modify her Southern accent for the role.

• In 2019, "Becky Sharp" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the   Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

"Becky Sharp" remains significant for its technical innovation in color filmmaking and its portrayal of a memorable literary character brought to life with depth and nuance.