New DVD of Beggars of Life starring Louise Brooks

On January 16th, Grapevine Video released Beggars of Life (1928), a new digital transfer of the acclaimed silent film starring Louise Brooks, Wallace Beery and Richard Arlen.

Directed by William Wellman following his work on Wings (the first film to win an Academy Award), this new version looks good, and is a big improvement on previously available VHS, DVD, and online versions of the movie (which have often looked dark). The Grapevine release is a DVD-R running 83 minutes with tinting and an all new orchestra score by Jack Hardy.

 
Without a doubt, Beggars of Life is worth watching as the best surviving American film starring Louise Brooks.

Upcoming event: On May 4th, Film Forum in New York City is set to screen Beggars of Life with actor William Wellman Jr., author of a forthcoming biography of his father, Wild Bill Wellman: Hollywood Rebel (Pantheon), providing the introduction.