Becky Sharp is a landmark in cinematic history—not just for its story, but for its technological breakthrough. Directed by Rouben Mamoulian, this adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair was the first feature-length film to use the three-strip Technicolor process throughout. That alone makes it a milestone in film history, but its rich performances and biting social commentary give it lasting artistic value.
Plot Summary
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the film follows Becky Sharp (played by Miriam Hopkins)—a cunning, ambitious orphan who uses charm and wit to climb the British social ladder. From governess to high society darling, Becky manipulates her way through romantic entanglements and class barriers. But her rise comes at a cost, and she eventually faces the consequences of her ruthless ambition.
Cast Highlights
- Miriam Hopkins as Becky Sharp — earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
- Frances Dee as Amelia Sedley
- Cedric Hardwicke as the Marquis of Steyne
- Billie Burke, Nigel Bruce, and Alan Mowbray in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Originally directed by Lowell Sherman, who tragically died of pneumonia during production. Mamoulian took over and reshot the film from scratch
- The film was based on the 1899 play by Langdon Mitchell, itself adapted from Thackeray’s 1848 novel
- Pat Nixon, future First Lady of the United States, reportedly appeared as an uncredited extra in the ballroom scene while attending USC
- Critics at the time were divided on the Technicolor look—one quipped the cast looked like “boiled salmon dipped in mayonnaise”
Legacy and Recognition
- In 2019, Becky Sharp was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”
- It paved the way for future Technicolor classics like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Gone with the Wind
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