Movie spotlight
An eccentric wealthy family facing bankruptcy schemes to steal an inheritance, but an alcoholic ex-actor they take in for Christmas charity complicates their plan.
A struggling writer, desperate for money, agrees to fake his own death to collect insurance money for the wealthy but dying Mr. Sterling. However, Sterling's greedy relatives are suspicious and begin to investigate, putting the writer in increasing danger as he tries to maintain the charade and avoid becoming a real victim.
Released in the post-war era, 'The Cheaters' was a modest programmer that offered a tense, if somewhat predictable, noir thriller. While not a major critical success, it was appreciated for its suspenseful plot and performances, fitting into the popular crime dramas of the period.
Offers a satisfactory dose of noir-style suspense.
The plot unfolds with a decent level of tension.
Performances are generally solid within the genre conventions.
Google audience: Audience reception information for 'The Cheaters' (1945) is not readily available through common review aggregation platforms.
W. Lee Wilder, the director and producer, was the uncle of director Billy Wilder, who also often worked within the film noir genre.
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Gratitude in most men is usually a secret desire to receive greater benefits. The Cheaters (also known as The Castaway0 is something of an unknown Christmas movie to the younger cinephile. Or perhaps because it came out of the low-budge...