Details
Movie Description
The first Technicolor feature is a loose adaptation of Thackeray's VANITY FAIR. Something of a gold-digger, little orphan Becky sets her cap for Joseph Sedley, the wealthy brother of her best friend Amelia. But even the dull-witted Joseph realizes that his family would not smile upon such a union and so never proposes. Frustrated, Becky leaves the Sedley household, and, using her brains, beauty and charm, claws her way into the upper class. Rather tough going, but worth seeing (particularly the recently restored version) a watershed movie moment. Academy Award Nominations: Best Actress--Miriam Hopkins.
Synopsis
This adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel "Vanity Fair" made cinema history as the first feature film shot in Technicolor.
The story, which vibrantly details the manners and morals of 19th century English society, follows the rise and fall of one Becky Sharp. Though a poor orphan, Becky has grand dreams -- and hopes that a good marriage will assure her fortune. In particular, she has her eye on Joseph Sedley, the wealthy brother of her best friend Amelia. But even the dull-witted Joseph realizes that his family would not smile upon such a union and so never proposes. Frustrated, Becky leaves the Sedley household where she has resided, and using her brains, beauty and charm, proceeds to claw her way into the upper class. But a crucial miscalculation nearly costs her everything...
Film Notes
This is the first feature film shot in the three-strip
Technicolor process.
Over the years, quality prints with the three-strip color disappeared, finally leaving only poor copies in black and white. Then, in 1984, the UCLA Film Archives restored a print, which included 66 minutes in its original, colorful glory; the rest of the film was in the less brilliant 2-strip Technicolor.
The film differs considerably from Thackeray's original novel, which was far more cynical about both Becky and the possibility of true romance.
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