Title: Beggars in Ermine
Year: 1934
Genres: Drama
Director: Phil Rosen

Cast:

• Lionel Atwill as John “Flint” Dawson / John Daniels
• Betty Furness as Joyce Dawson
• Henry B. Walthall as Marchant, the Blind Man
• Jameson Thomas as Jim Marley
• James Bush as Lee Marley
• Astrid Allwyn as Mrs. Vivian Dawson
• George “Gabby” Hayes as Joe Wilson
• Stephen Gross as Scott Taggart
• Sam Godfrey as Enright
• Myrtle Stedman as Nurse
• Lee Phelps as Joe Swanson

Synopsis:

Steel-mill owner John Dawson loses both his legs and his business in a scheme engineered by his crooked secretary Jim Marley. Adopting the alias John Daniels, he wanders the country and befriends Marchant, a blind peddler. Inspired by Marchant’s resilience, Dawson organizes the downtrodden—beggars, peddlers, and the handicapped—into a mutual-aid society. As his new organization gains influence, Dawson must outmaneuver Marley, reclaim his identity, and restore justice to his community.

Trivia:

• Based on Tristram Tupper’s stage play, the film was produced and distributed by Monogram Pictures.
• Cinematographer Gilbert Warrenton and editor Jack Ogilvie contributed to its brisk 72-minute runtime.
• Lionel Atwill, known for his villainous roles, plays both hero and alter-ego, showcasing his range.
• The film lapsed into the public domain when its U.S. copyright was not renewed, making it widely available in archival collections.