The Cheat
“A Beautiful Girl- Gambling with one man for the love of another, until her selfishness plunged them into a crisis of disgrace!”
Synopsis
Elsa Carlyle is impulsive and a gambler. Though loved by her husband Jeff, she's spoiled and selfish, concerned with social standing. Meanwhile, Jeff wants to stop spending while he completes business deals that could make them rich. One night, on a hunch, she bets and loses big at a casino, and then she doubles her problems with more impulsive decisions. Hardy Livingstone, a wealthy Casanova just back from the Orient, makes a play for her. Elsa dallies with Hardy, but soon, his insistence and her dire financial affairs seem destined to lead to adultery. Who's the cheat?
Top Cast
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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
Porter Hall
Leslie (uncredited)
Arthur Hohl
Defense Attorney (uncredited)
Millard Mitchell
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Jimmy Granato
Orchestra Musician (uncredited)
Henry Warwick
Butler (uncredited)
Margaret Carthew
Dancer (uncredited)
Beatrice Hagen
Dancer (uncredited)
Juanita Hagen
Dancer (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
November 28, 1931
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- George Abbott
- Screenplay & Story
- Harry Hervey
- Original Title
- The Cheat
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 7m
- Production Studios
- Paramount Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
George Abbott
Harry Hervey, Hector Turnbull
George J. Folsey
Department Leadership Roster
George Abbott
Director
George J. Folsey
Director of Photography
Harry Hervey
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Cheat.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Cheat.
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Pre-Code Hollywood
Pre-Code Hollywood films, 1929 to 1934.
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BD Release: Past-1960
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cheat
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Cheat about?
Elsa Carlyle is impulsive and a gambler. Though loved by her husband Jeff, she's spoiled and selfish, concerned with social standing. Meanwhile, Jeff wants to stop spending while he completes business deals that could make them rich. One night, on a hunch, she bets and loses big at a casino, and then she doubles her problems with more impulsive decisions. Hardy Livingstone, a wealthy Casanova just back from the Orient, makes a play for her. Elsa dallies with Hardy, but soon, his insistence and her dire financial affairs seem destined to lead to adultery. Who's the cheat?
Who directed The Cheat?
The Cheat was directed by George Abbott.
Who stars in The Cheat?
The principal cast of The Cheat includes Tallulah Bankhead, Harvey Stephens, Irving Pichel, Jay Fassett, Ann Andrews.
When was The Cheat released and how long is it?
The Cheat was released in 1931 with a total runtime of 1h 7m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Cheat?
The Cheat holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).