Compiled by The Museum of Modern Art Film Library in 1938, the film is a glimpse of the early 20th century’s finest stage performers— Gabrielle Réjane, Eleonora Duse, Sarah Bernhardt, and Minnie Maddern Fiske. The compliation contains excerpts from four films, adapted from four timeless stories: Madame Sans-Gêne (1911), Cenere (1916), La Dame aux Camélias (1912), and Vanity Fair (1915).

"Vanity Fair" is a historical drama, based on the classic English novel written by William Thackeray, featuring Shirley Mason. Shirley Mason was 15 y.o. and played the role of the young Becky Sharp. Directors obviously took notice of her performance, because in 1917 she appeared in 17 feature films, in many of them playing the star role.

A peasant girl sent to make a claim on her family's ancestral home in England's Wessex is seduced and left with child by its current owner.