But for this having been a Republic Pictures film, "The Cheaters" may well have garnered some Academy Award nominations and other honors in 1945. The cast has some of the best supporting actors of the time in lead roles, including some who starred previously in films. Joseph Schildkraut (Oscar winner from 1937 in "The Life of Emile Zola") plays Anthony 'Mr. M" Marchand, Billie Burk plays Clara Pidgeon, Eugene Palette plays James Pidgeon, Raymond Walburn plays Willie Crawford, and Ona Munson plays Florie Watson. All five turn in stellar performances.
Two performances stand out. Billie Burke is especially good in her role. Here she is the scatter-brained matron that was her long-time trademark in films, but she also is savvy and occasionally quick to pick things up. It's a nice side of the actress that might have been pursued more often in films. And, Walburn is very good as the always happy and likable Uncle Willie. Schildkraut has the lead and largest set of lines. He is good, but at times seems to be overly hammy. The rest of the cast are OK in their roles. Robert Greig is quite good as MacFarland, the Pidgeon's butler.
Had this been a major studio production, it likely would have had better writing, direction and editing. The film is choppy in places, and makes some scene breaks and jumps that are jerky and don't connect well. The screenplay needed considerable work. One wonders if some scenes weren't cut. This is most noticeable in the sudden conversions of the two youngest Pidgeon adult children, Angela and Reggie. Their transitions from spoiled rich snobs to helpful, considerate family members who pitch in to help happened in the blink of an eye. Either connecting scenes were deleted or we have an example of poor writing.
This is an old-fashioned morality tale with lessons and conversions. And, being set at Christmas time, it makes a nice addition to one's Christmas and holidays movie collection. Although not as good as many other Christmas films, its plot is quite different and unusual. So, most movie buffs should enjoy the different story around the holidays. It might be considered a modified version of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol."
Here are some sample lines from the film. Clara, "Therese says it's all wrong. She's come back from Boston with a lot of new ideas. I hadn't time to listen to them, but it's about charity and not flaunting your wealth. She wants the tree in the library where less fortunate people can't see it."
Marchand, "Most of us forget that because it pleases us to forget what we don't like."
Clara, "All night watchmen wear mufflers."
Marchand, "If you are ever homeless - which I sincerely hope you never will be, and have no place to sleep, I cannot recommend too highly the job of night watchman in a mattress factory. Now, I'm morally certain I extinguished that cigarette before dropping off. But when I woke up, I was surrounded by a wall of fire."
Two performances stand out. Billie Burke is especially good in her role. Here she is the scatter-brained matron that was her long-time trademark in films, but she also is savvy and occasionally quick to pick things up. It's a nice side of the actress that might have been pursued more often in films. And, Walburn is very good as the always happy and likable Uncle Willie. Schildkraut has the lead and largest set of lines. He is good, but at times seems to be overly hammy. The rest of the cast are OK in their roles. Robert Greig is quite good as MacFarland, the Pidgeon's butler.
Had this been a major studio production, it likely would have had better writing, direction and editing. The film is choppy in places, and makes some scene breaks and jumps that are jerky and don't connect well. The screenplay needed considerable work. One wonders if some scenes weren't cut. This is most noticeable in the sudden conversions of the two youngest Pidgeon adult children, Angela and Reggie. Their transitions from spoiled rich snobs to helpful, considerate family members who pitch in to help happened in the blink of an eye. Either connecting scenes were deleted or we have an example of poor writing.
This is an old-fashioned morality tale with lessons and conversions. And, being set at Christmas time, it makes a nice addition to one's Christmas and holidays movie collection. Although not as good as many other Christmas films, its plot is quite different and unusual. So, most movie buffs should enjoy the different story around the holidays. It might be considered a modified version of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol."
Here are some sample lines from the film. Clara, "Therese says it's all wrong. She's come back from Boston with a lot of new ideas. I hadn't time to listen to them, but it's about charity and not flaunting your wealth. She wants the tree in the library where less fortunate people can't see it."
Marchand, "Most of us forget that because it pleases us to forget what we don't like."
Clara, "All night watchmen wear mufflers."
Marchand, "If you are ever homeless - which I sincerely hope you never will be, and have no place to sleep, I cannot recommend too highly the job of night watchman in a mattress factory. Now, I'm morally certain I extinguished that cigarette before dropping off. But when I woke up, I was surrounded by a wall of fire."