Beggars in Ermine (1934)
Directed by Phil Rosen
Genres - Drama, Family & Personal Relationships |
Sub-Genres - Americana |
Release Date - Feb 21, 1934 (USA), Feb 22, 1934 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 70 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
Share on
Synopsis by Hal Erickson
The Mongram "special" Beggars in Ermine was based on a novel by Esther Lynd Day. Having lost both legs in an accident, steel-mill owner John Dawson (Lionel Atwill) disconsolately goes among "the people" in hopes of finding a reason for living. Upon befriending blind peddler Marchant (Henry B. Walthall), Dawson puts his organizational skills to practical use by "unionizing" Walthall's beggar pals, doubling and tripling their effectiveness. His new "street" friends help Dawson get the goods on his crooked business manager James Marley (Jameson Thomas), who had arranged Dawson's "accident." It's quite refreshing to see perennial screen-villain Lionel Atwill in a 100% sympathetic role, which he carries off in grand style.
Characteristics
Moods
Keywords
business, mill-owner, organization, peddler, union [labor union], amputation, blindness [physical], revenge
