Becky Sharp

Plot

In early 19th century England, Becky Sharp, an ambitious and cunning orphan, graduates from finishing school and begins her ruthless climb through British society. Starting as a governess for the Pitt Crawley family, she manipulates her way into the household of the wealthy Sir Pitt, eventually marrying his son Rawdon. When her marriage fails to secure the position she desires, Becky sets her sights on the aristocratic Marquess of Steyne, using her charm and wit to navigate the treacherous waters of high society. Her schemes eventually lead to her downfall when she's discovered in a compromising position, forcing her to flee England. The film concludes with Becky finding redemption years later when she encounters her old friend Amelia Sedley in Germany, having learned the true cost of her ambition.

Historical Background

'Becky Sharp' emerged during a pivotal moment in cinema history when the industry was transitioning from silent films to sound and from black and white to color. The Great Depression was still affecting the film industry, making the million-dollar budget for this experimental color film a significant gamble. The mid-1930s saw the rise of the Production Code, which enforced strict moral guidelines, influencing how Becky's morally ambiguous character was portrayed. The film's release coincided with growing international tensions in Europe, though its Regency period setting provided a safe escape from contemporary concerns. The technical innovations represented by three-strip Technicolor would soon transform the entire industry, though color films would remain the exception rather than the rule for another decade due to cost and technical limitations.

Making Of

The making of 'Becky Sharp' was a monumental technical undertaking that pushed the boundaries of 1930s filmmaking. The three-strip Technicolor process was still experimental, requiring a special camera that split the light into three beams, each recording a different color spectrum on separate black and white film strips. These had to be perfectly synchronized and later combined through a complex dye-transfer process. The set design had to be completely rethought - many colors that appeared normal to the human eye photographed strangely in Technicolor, leading to extensive testing of paints, fabrics, and makeup. Director Rouben Mamoulian approached color as a narrative tool, using warm reds and oranges for passionate scenes and cool blues for moments of isolation. The production was so technically demanding that it took nearly six months to complete what would normally be a six-week shoot, with the cast and crew enduring sweltering conditions under the powerful lighting required by the Technicolor process.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Ray Rennahan was groundbreaking, utilizing the new three-strip Technicolor process to create a rich, vibrant visual palette. Rennahan, who would become one of Hollywood's most respected color cinematographers, worked closely with Mamoulian to use color as emotional storytelling. The film features carefully composed shots that maximize the impact of color, from the warm golden tones of Becky's triumphant moments to the cold blues of her isolation. The lighting had to be extraordinarily bright to register properly on the Technicolor film, creating a distinctive high-key look that characterized early color films. The camera work also incorporated techniques from German Expressionism, with dramatic angles and shadows that took on new dimension in color.

Innovations

Beyond being the first three-strip Technicolor feature, 'Becky Sharp' pioneered several technical innovations. The film required the development of new lighting techniques, makeup formulations, and costume dye processes specifically for color filming. The production team had to solve problems with color bleeding and registration that had plagued earlier color processes. The film also experimented with using color to create psychological effects, a technique that would become standard in later color films. The successful completion of the feature proved that three-strip Technicolor was commercially viable, leading to its adoption by major studios and eventual dominance in color cinematography until the 1950s.

Music

The musical score was composed by Roy Webb, who was RKO's house composer at the time. Webb's music incorporated period-appropriate themes while using the expanded orchestral palette that sound films of the mid-1930s allowed. The score featured several original songs that reflected the Regency period setting, including 'The World Is Yours' and 'The Girl I Left Behind Me.' The soundtrack also made innovative use of diegetic music, with characters performing songs that advanced the plot. The recording process was complicated by the need to synchronize with the Technicolor filming, requiring careful coordination between the music department and the camera crew.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Becky graduates from finishing school and declares her ambition to conquer society
• The ballroom scene where Becky makes her grand entrance in a stunning red dress, using color to emphasize her dangerous allure
• The confrontation scene between Becky and Lady Steyne, where the tension is heightened through contrasting color schemes
• The final scene in Germany where Becky, humbled by experience, meets Amelia again, showing her transformation through softer, muted colors

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics were divided on 'Becky Sharp,' with most praising the technical achievement of the color photography while finding fault with the adaptation itself. The New York Times noted that 'the colors are often beautiful, but the story seems to have been sacrificed to the spectacle.' Variety praised Miriam Hopkins' performance but criticized the film's pacing. Modern critics tend to view the film more favorably as a historical artifact, with the American Film Institute recognizing its technical importance. The film is now appreciated for Mamoulian's innovative use of color and Hopkins' nuanced performance, even if the adaptation of Thackeray's work is considered overly simplified.

What Audiences Thought

Initial audience response was mixed, with many viewers more interested in the novelty of color than the story itself. The film drew curious crowds initially, but word-of-mouth was not strong enough to sustain long-term box office success. Some viewers complained that the colors were too bright and artificial compared to reality. However, the film did develop a cult following among cinema enthusiasts who appreciated its technical achievements. In retrospect, audiences have come to value the film as a pioneering work, with restored versions allowing modern viewers to appreciate the innovative cinematography and Hopkins' memorable performance.

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