Becky Sharp

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.