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.