Tweet Los Angeles, CA: BEGGARS OF LIFE (1928) - 8/1

Los Angeles, CA
Cinefamily @ Silent Movie Theatre: The Silent Treatment Series

BEGGARS OF LIFE (1928)
Wednesday, August 1st, 7:30 PM
$12/Free for members

There’s a reason the name Louise Brooks elicits sighs every time it’s mentioned at the Cinefamily. Her ferocious charisma and otherworldly beauty cemented her status as an icon of 1920s silent cinema well before she retired too early from the silver screen, at the age of 32. As an actress capable of endless nuance and versatility, Brooks deeply understood the impact both her inner and outer beauty could bring to the screen — and in Beggars of Life, William Wellman’s early Depression-era portrait of transient life, she he gave one of her absolute strongest performances during her brief stint within the Hollywood system. Brooks plays Nancy, who must go on the run with her friend Jim after killing her sleazy stepfather in self-defense — and, after disguising herself as a boy, engages in train-hopping, hobo-fighting and car-stealing, all while on the lam. A daring story with an outstanding supporting cast, Beggars of Life echoes the dark atmospherics of Brooks’ other films, but it stands out for its markedly American narrative. A rare, perfect blend of melodrama and naturalism. Dir. William Wellman, 1928, 35mm, 100 min. (Archival 35mm print courtesy of the George Eastman House.)



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TSTNews,

Great seeing a glimpse of the restoration at last. Thanks. But why was their no trailer for LILAC TIME?

Hello,

In response to your question, sometimes we have access to screeners of the silent pictures we present and sometimes we do not. In the case of LILAC TIME, the LOC did not have an accessible screener so that we could assemble a promotional trailer to share with our audience, which is why you did not see one.

Best,
TSTNews

Could you tell us something about how the film was received and if it was well attended?

"Beggars of Life" is a favorite of mind but of course I have only seen the unrestored version. I had heard that the film being shown in theatres before this was in just fair condition.

Do you know of any future plans to show the film elsewhere...or bring it to home video?

Thanks.

Could you tell us something about how the film was received and if it was well attended?

"Beggars of Life" is a favorite of mind but of course I have only seen the unrestored version. I had heard that the film being shown in theatres before this was in just fair condition.

Do you know of any future plans to show the film elsewhere...or bring it to home video?

Thanks.

It's Paramount, so good luck with the home video thing... watch closely for local screenings, and suggest it to your local film programs that run 35mm.

Could you tell us something about how the film was received and if it was well attended?

"Beggars of Life" is a favorite of mind but of course I have only seen the unrestored version. I had heard that the film being shown in theatres before this was in just fair condition.

Do you know of any future plans to show the film elsewhere...or bring it to home video?

Thanks.

It's Paramount, so good luck with the home video thing... watch closely for local screenings, and suggest it to your local film programs that run 35mm.

I've watched my DVD copy enough that it has already been restored in my mind. Watching these short clips has helped me to imagine it even more.

Thanks for the advice to suggest the film to a movie house. I'll do that. There are several here in the Detroit area that have working theatre organs and at least one nicely restored place that still projects with an 'arc lamp'! Imagine that.

Run by "The Motor City Theatre Organ Society," they occasionally run Silent films with live music.

Could you tell us something about how the film was received and if it was well attended?

"Beggars of Life" is a favorite of mind but of course I have only seen the unrestored version. I had heard that the film being shown in theatres before this was in just fair condition.

Do you know of any future plans to show the film elsewhere...or bring it to home video?

Thanks.

It's Paramount, so good luck with the home video thing... watch closely for local screenings, and suggest it to your local film programs that run 35mm.

I've watched my DVD copy enough that it has already been restored in my mind. Watching these short clips has helped me to imagine it even more.

Thanks for the advice to suggest the film to a movie house. I'll do that. There are several here in the Detroit area that have working theatre organs and at least one nicely restored place that still projects with an 'arc lamp'! Imagine that.

Run by "The Motor City Theatre Organ Society," they occasionally run Silent films with live music.

I actually met someone from Detroit at Telluride last weekend who knows some of the folks at a film program... and we have a score for Beggars of Life that we love to play. I'll pitch something.