United States | 1928 | 74 mins. + short | Unrated
On the run for killing in self-defense, a woman (Louise Brooks) meets a hobo (Richard Arlen) who helps her flee from the police.
Director: William Wellman
Cast: Louise Brooks; Richard Arlen; Wallace Beery
ABOUT THE SILENT REVUE SERIES
Established as Silent Sundays by founding programmer Eric Veillette in 2009, Silent Revue is Toronto’s only year-round film series dedicated to silent cinema. Monthly screenings (more…)
DETAILS
95th Anniversary Screening!
Our season-long look at Planes, Trains and Automobile continues with the rail-hopping thriller BEGGARS OF LIFE, starring the irresistible Louise Brooks. Co-starring Wallace Beery and Richard Arlen, BEGGARS OF LIFE is frequently cited as Brooks’ best American film, and under the direction of “Wild Bill” Wellman (of WINGS fame, which kicked off the current Silent Revue season), it is no wonder.
Brooks plays Nancy, who, on the lam after killing her abusive guardian, disguises her identity in hope of escaping to Canada. Tucking those signature bangs under a cap (don’t worry — they fall out from time to time) she passes as a boy among a gang of rail-riding hobos, where the threat of being revealed a killer takes a back seat to a more pressing danger: being exposed as a woman! Prefiguring many future Hollywood films’ treatment of hobo culture in the Great Depression, BEGGARS OF LIFE is a late silent-era masterpiece.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Live accompaniment by Marilyn Lerner
Silent Revue is curated by Alicia Fletcher
Silent Revue is sponsored by Hollywood Suite
Doors Open 30 Minutes Before Showtime.
PRICING
General Admission: $17
Bronze/Loyalty Members, Students & Seniors: $14
Silver Members: $13
Gold/Individual/Family Members: FREE
For INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS ($350) and FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS, please email us at info@revuecinema.ca to get your ticket!