Is The Cheaters Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Cheaters is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 87 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Cheaters Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1945, The Cheaters emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of 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. Unlike standard genre fare, The Cheaters attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Cheaters features a noteworthy lineup led by Joseph Schildkraut . Supported by the likes of Billie Burke and Eugene Pallette , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Cheaters (1945) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Cheaters Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Cheaters is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Cheaters Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Cheaters attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Cheaters reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Cheaters?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of The Cheaters
- Joseph Schildkraut – Anthony 'Mr. M.' Marchand
- Billie Burke – Clara Pidgeon
- Eugene Pallette – James C. Pidgeon
- Ona Munson – Florie Watson
- Raymond Walburn – Willie Crawford
Top Highlights
Joseph SchildkrautAnthony 'Mr. M.' Marchand
Billie BurkeClara Pidgeon
Eugene PalletteJames C. Pidgeon
Ona MunsonFlorie Watson
Raymond WalburnWillie Crawford
Norma VardenMattie
Ann GillisAngela Pidgeon
Ruth TerryTherese Pidgeon
Robert LivingstonStephen Bates
David HoltReggie Pidgeon
Parents Guide & Age Rating
The Cheaters is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.9/10, and global collection metrics, The Cheaters stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1945 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Cheaters movie hit or flop?
The Cheaters has received mixed reviews with a 5.9/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Cheaters worth watching?
The Cheaters is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Cheaters online?
The Cheaters may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Cheaters
How The Cheaters Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Cheaters
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-budget Republic Pictures? It's simply just a forgotten one. So much so you will be hard pushed to see it mentioned on any Christmas film lists that flourish around the yuletide season. The film is based around an original story written by Frances Hyland and Albert Ray and concerns a sophisticated family inviting a washed up actor to their home for Christmas. As things progress we learn that this family are using the holiday season to secure a rich uncle's inheritance, but naturally all is not going to be plain sailing. Heading the cast list is Joseph Schildkraut (The Shop Around the Corner), Billie Burke (The Wizard of Oz) and Eugene Palette (The Ghost Goes West). It's directed by Republic house jobber Joseph Kane, with photography and scoring coming from Reggie Lanning & Walter Scharf respectively. So is the film any good though? Well it's safe to say that anyone looking for another old Christmas movie to boost the crimble spirit can safely add this one to their rota. It's very much in the mold of the likes of The Bishops Wife, which of course is no bad thing at all as a point of reference. My chief irk with the picture is that it flatters to deceive. By the midpoint the film has all options open to it, even threatening to be darker and perhaps leaning towards an ending of some surprise. But sadly, and without me crying out for any Pottersville type misery here, the film reverts to type and settles for a warm mince pie and a glass of mulled wine. Again, that's no bad thing at the season we choose to watch it in, but really it promised to be something more. Still, it's a comfortable recommendation for the heart warming seeker. 6/10
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
