"BECKY SHARP"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22214, 14 September 1935, Page 15

"BECKY SHARP"

CIVIC AND PLAZA FILM Coming as an epochal event in the history of film entertainment, Pioneer Pictures' much heralded full-length technieolour production "Becky Sharp" will commence a season at both the Civic and Plaza Theatres on Friday next. The film has received an unprecedented reception overseas, and has brought before the public the possibilities of colour. Adapted from William Thackeray's immortal classic, "Vanity Fair," the picture is more than just a gorgeous panorama of glittering colour. It is rich in sparkling humour and witticisms, and replete with romance and drama. Another guarantee of its quality is that it was directed by the gifted Rouben Mamoulian, whose brilliant technique and deft touch are unmistakable. As most lovers of literature know, "Becky Sharp" is the story of a wilful and clever beauty, who used her loveliness to advance her social position. True to Thackeray's novel, the story deals with the elite of London society in the early ■ 19th century. Becky was ambitious, though of humble birth, and to her sorrow she was in love with a penniless young officer. She marries him, -but he is disinherited by a maiden aunt. Shortly afterwards her husband's father offered her his hand, which would have made tier a ladv, her one ambition. However, she sets out to reach her objective in a most unusual manner, and her subsequent efforts, together with her bning wit and repartee, form the basis of the film. In the title role Miriam Hopkins rises to great heights in her characterisation of the lovely and vivacious coquette. She invests her part with life and understanding, to make the wayward Becky a character to linger long in the memory. Then there are such talented supporting artists as Alan Mowbray, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Frances Dee, Alison Skipworth, Bilfie Burke, Nigel Bruce and the New Zealander Colin Tapley. Here is a production which has aroused, the interest of all theatre-goers on account of its gorgeous colour and lavish settings and costumes, as well as its dramatic and human story.