Beggars of Life

Films like Beggars of Life exist to constantly remind us that silent films are great, modern, and ageless, and whenever I come across one of the best, it takes at least a week before I'm willing to accept the existence of dialogue films again. Beggars of Life follows a superb story that has no dead spots, maintaining a brilliantly even keel that carries deeper emotions, serious drama, and great humor. This time, the beautiful Brooks uses her boyish charm to travel the world on the roof of a moving train, sleeping in a haystack and, against all odds, attracting a whole bunch of tramps. She's vulnerable, charming, and endearing, and it's impossible not to fall in love with her when you meet her. Of course, the one who really has it all on the hook is Wallace Beery, who goes through a whole evolution from a drunk to a good-hearted action hero. And I haven't even mentioned the uniformed lawmen and the extremely entertaining black man with the chicken. Beggars of Life wasn't just the top film of 1928, it's the top film of today and will be the top film of 2128. (04/12/2013)