The Cheat 1931
"A Beautiful Girl- Gambling with one man for the love of another, until her selfishness plunged them into a crisis of disgrace!"
Set against the glittering yet treacherous backdrop of 1930s high society, *The Cheat (1931)* plunges viewers into a world of reckless decisions and moral reckoning.
Director: George Abbott
Cast
Tallulah Bankhead
Elsa Carlyle
Harvey Stephens
Jeffrey Carlyle
Irving Pichel
Hardy Livingstone
Jay Fassett
Terrell
Ann Andrews
Mrs. Albright
William Ingersoll
Croupier
Hanaki Yoshiwara
Japanese Servant
Willard Dashiell
Judge
Edward Keane
Defense Attorney
Robert Strange
District Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Cheat (1931) about?
The film follows Elsa Carlyle, a self-centered socialite whose impulsive gambling and pursuit of status put her marriage at risk. When a bad bet leads to a scandalous entanglement with a manipulative wealthy man, she must confront the fallout of her choices. Set in the dazzling but treacherous world of 1930s high society, it's a drama of desire, deception, and redemption.
Who directed The Cheat?
George Abbott directed *The Cheat (1931)*, bringing a sharp eye for dramatic tension to this morality tale of the Jazz Age.
Who stars in The Cheat?
The film features Tallulah Bankhead as the captivating but flawed Elsa Carlyle, alongside Harvey Stephens, Irving Pichel, and Ann Andrews.
Is The Cheat (1931) worth watching?
*The Cheat (1931)* offers a fascinating glimpse into the moral complexities of early 1930s society, with Tallulah Bankhead's performance standing out. While it's a classic drama, its themes of recklessness and consequences still resonate today. Whether it's a must-watch depends on your taste for vintage noir-style storytelling and intense character studies.
How long is The Cheat?
The runtime of *The Cheat (1931)* is 67 minutes.
About The Cheat (1931) — A Gritty Drama of Gambling, Love, and Consequences
Set against the glittering yet treacherous backdrop of 1930s high society, *The Cheat (1931)* plunges viewers into a world of reckless decisions and moral reckoning. Directed by George Abbott, this gripping drama follows Elsa Carlyle, a spoiled and impulsive socialite whose gambling addiction and selfish pursuit of status threaten to unravel her marriage to her patient husband, Jeff. When a night of risky bets spirals into a web of deceit and manipulation, Elsa's choices collide with the advances of Hardy Livingstone, a wealthy and seductive manipulator fresh from the Orient. As her world teeters between luxury and disgrace, the film explores themes of recklessness, redemption, and the consequences of putting personal desire above all else.
With its sharp dialogue and intense performances, *The Cheat (1931)* captures the tension between ambition and morality in an era of excess. Tallulah Bankhead delivers a standout performance as the flawed but captivating Elsa, while the film's atmospheric tension mirrors the social pressures of the time. A cautionary tale wrapped in drama, it's a story that lingers long after the credits roll.
