'Beggars of Life' was seen for two primary reasons, other than my love of classic film of course. One was Louise Brooks, a luminous and powerful presence who sadly didn't transition that well to sound, but when there were directors that knew what her strengths were and used them to full advantage (especially GW Pabst) she was magnetic. The other was director William A Wellman, known for his uncompromising approach to difficult subjects.

Although Wellman may have done better films than 'Beggars of Life' overall, it is to me Brooks' best American film and among her better ones overall. 'Beggars of Life' may not be perfect in the pacing, but both Brooks and Wellman are represented very well indeed. As is Wallace Beery, not always a fan of his but he certainly gave fine performances. On the most part, 'Beggars of Life' was a very good film that started off excellently but lost its way later on.

Will start off with the many things that 'Beggars of Life' does incredibly well. It looks great with photography that is stylish with some inventive angles, the lighting has a nice moody atmosphere. The film was shot on locations and the locations themselves are remarkably evocative and not stagy at all, especially the railways. Wellman creates a lot of strong atmosphere, especially in the tense train action and the first half an hour, and nothing about the subject is sugar-coated or anything.

The film starts off brilliantly, with a startling opening and the chemistry between Brooks and Richard Arlen charms and intrigues. The ending is satisfying and didn't feel too neat. A typically photogenic looking Brooks is excellent, being intense and moving, showing that there were other directors besides Pabst that knew her strengths and made the most of them because that's what Wellman did. Arlen is youthful and sympathetic, and Beery really livens things up when he enters the picture without being hammy.

For all those great things, 'Beggars of Life' falls short of being flawless. The middle does tend to drag and doesn't have the meaty, explosive quality of the brilliant first third.

Did feel that a few scenes, especially the trial, suffered from being overlong and from being too silly.

On the whole though, very good. 8/10

Notable for its tautly realistic performances and unrelentingly downbeat atmosphere, "Beggars of Life" is put over with considerable power by director Wellman who makes the most of his location material with a real train on the San Diego-Yuma railroad.

Although it's hard to tell in the print under review, the photography by Henry Gerrard was also a potent ingredient; and certainly the remarkably astute film editing by Alyson Shaffer also aids both the film's tight pace and its ability to grip the viewer.

With her beguiling face and charismatic presence, Louise Brooks rivets attention from start to finish as the wanted girl and even manages to outshine Wallace Beery who pulls out all his usual thespian tricks as a good badman.

Handsome hobo Richard Arlen (as Jim) is hungry. Smelling breakfast as he passes by a home, Mr. Arlen ventures inside to beg for food. Arlen is startled to discover the body of a dead man, as beautiful Louise Brooks (as Nancy) descends her stairway to explain. Tired of waiting on the pawing man, Ms. Brooks shot her sexually abusive guardian. Believing Brooks story (and taken by her beauty),Arlen invites her to accompany him east. They hop a freight train with Brooks disguised as a boy, to deter the police. Love blooms when the two share a bed made in hay. Arlen's "leg-locking" and Brooks' look of approval are part of these actors' well-played scene. With the police on their trail, Arlen and Brooks fall in with a group of hobos.

Brooks' disguise as Arlen's "kid brother" only lasts so long, and she is discovered as a girl. This arouses the interest of boozy tramp leader Wallace Berry (as Okalahoma Red). When their gang of hobos hitches a ride on another train, Mr. Berry wants to throw Arlen overboard and rape Brooks. Berry's swaggering introduction, with a keg of ale for the hobos, is a jolt - as we hear his voice in a "synchronized sound effected" film. Berry, who is billed over Arlen and Brooks, quickly becomes a major character. His change during the last act becomes one of the film's problems. Still, this is still a fine-looking production (despite the prints available).

You get "Wings" director William A. Wellman with one of his greatest stars (Arlen),a fine new actress (Brooks),and one of the movies' most popular character players (Berry). And, hang on tight for some exciting train sequences.

******** Beggars of Life (9/22/28) William A. Wellman ~ Richard Arlen, Louise Brooks, Wallace Berry, Edgar Washington