

Movie spotlight
The Beautiful Cheat
The title character, played by Bonita Granville, is the secretary at a boys' reformatory. Sociology professor Noah Beery Jr. shows up to study the juvenile-delinquent mindset. Not surprisingly, he ends up taking a post-grad course in amour from the winsome Ms. Granville.
Insights
Plot Summary
A struggling writer, Margaret Lindsay, concocts an elaborate scheme to gain publicity for her novel by faking a romance with a renowned author. Her plan involves a series of staged encounters and press releases designed to capture the public's attention. However, things become complicated when a handsome reporter, played by Kent Taylor, begins to investigate her story, potentially uncovering the truth behind her 'beautiful cheat.' The narrative explores themes of ambition, deception, and the unexpected twists of fate.
Critical Reception
The Beautiful Cheat was a modest B-movie production that received a generally lukewarm reception from critics upon its release. While audiences found the premise light and entertaining enough for a casual watch, it was not considered a groundbreaking film. Its charm lay in its simple romantic comedy elements and the performances of its cast, though it was largely overshadowed by larger studio releases.
What Reviewers Say
A pleasant, if predictable, romantic comedy with a few charming moments.
The plot relies on familiar tropes but delivers a lighthearted escape.
Performances are adequate, carrying the somewhat thin narrative.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but general sentiment suggests it was viewed as a light, enjoyable diversion without significant artistic merit.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by Monogram Pictures, a studio known for its low-budget B-movies, often distributed with double features.
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