You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

  • 1939
  • NR
  • 76m
movieMx RATING
6.8/1020
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Review

Last updated: February 2, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 2, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and You Can't Cheat an Honest Man features a noteworthy lineup led by W.C. Fields . Supported by the likes of Edgar Bergen and Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson , 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 You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

Quick Plot Summary: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

Ending Breakdown: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, 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 You Can't Cheat an Honest Man reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch You Can't Cheat an Honest Man?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment
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Top Cast: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

All Cast & Crew →
W.C. Fields
W.C. FieldsLarson E. Whipsnade
Edgar Bergen
Edgar BergenThe Great Edgar / Charlie McCarthy / Mortimer Snerd
Constance Moore
Constance MooreVictoria Whipsnade
John Arledge
John ArledgePhineas Whipsnade
James Bush
James BushRoger Bel-Goodie
Thurston Hall
Thurston HallMr. Archibald Bel-Goodie
Mary Forbes
Mary ForbesMrs. Bel-Goodie
Princess Baba
Princess BabaPrincess Baba, The Great Edgar's Assistant
Charlie McCarthy
Charlie McCarthyCharlie (ventriloquist dummy)
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Where to Watch You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Online?

Streaming Hub

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You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Parents Guide & Age Rating

1939 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about You Can't Cheat an Honest Man age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is rated NR.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is 76 minutes (1h 16m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for You Can't Cheat an Honest Man. Rating: 6.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is You Can't Cheat an Honest Man worth watching?

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find You Can't Cheat an Honest Man parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for You Can't Cheat an Honest Man identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of You Can't Cheat an Honest Man?

The total duration of You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is 76 minutes, which is approximately 1h 16m long.

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.8
You Can't Cheat an Honest Man
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