Beggars of Life

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.