After killing her adopted father in self-defense, a girl (Louise Brooks) is discovered by a passing hobo (Richard Arlen) looking for a meal. She explains what happened and he sympathizes. They run away together, planning to go to Canada, where he has an uncle. Along the way, they meet a sort of self-appointed King of the Hobos, named Oklahoma Red (Wallace Beery). He finds out that the girl is wanted, with a $1,000 bounty on her head. Will he help them escape or help himself to the reward money?
This is the first silent Beery film I'd seen, and even without hearing his booming voice, he still has a large presence. (plus, I read the title cards hearing his voice, anyway) Once he started doing talkies, I bet people really got a kick out of finally hearing him. First time I'd seen Brooks as well, and I enjoyed her role. This is a simple story done well, with enough ambiguity in the characters to keep you guessing how different situations will play out.
This is the first silent Beery film I'd seen, and even without hearing his booming voice, he still has a large presence. (plus, I read the title cards hearing his voice, anyway) Once he started doing talkies, I bet people really got a kick out of finally hearing him. First time I'd seen Brooks as well, and I enjoyed her role. This is a simple story done well, with enough ambiguity in the characters to keep you guessing how different situations will play out.