by Ted Davis

Directed by: Alan Crosland

Synopsis: In 15th century France, Francois Villon (John Barrymore), renowned poet, vagabond, patriot and hero to the beggars and outcasts of Paris, is used as a pawn by the scuttling and superstitious Louis XI (Conrad Veidt), King of France, to rid his kingdom of the encroaching and rapacious Burgundians. Along the way to becoming the virtual savior of France, the mullet-haired rhyme-master still finds time to romance the king’s ward, the winsome Charlotte de Vauxcelles (Marceline Day), and save her from a fate worse than death – a forced marriage to the odious Thibault d’Aussigny (Henry Victor).

Purr Blurs: Early in the movie, Villon and his two cronies, Jehan (Slim Summerville) and Nicholas (Mack Swain), duck into a low tavern where a couple of black cats hang out on a wooden table, keeping company with three imbibing companions.

Final Mewsings: The cats would surely have appreciated some broiled mice as a nice appetizer.

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