After losing ten thousand dollars intended for the Red Cross in a risky speculation operation, Edith Hardy (F. Ward), a woman of the world, has them loaned to her by a rich Japanese merchant (S. Hayawaka). In exchange, he demands to become her lover. When she tries to renege on the pact using her husband’s money, the treacherous merchant brands her on the shoulder. Edith shoots him, wounding him. Her husband decides to plead guilty, but at the trial Edith reveals her shoulder. The judge acquits them, leaving the Japanese man to the fury of the crowd. The Cheat is one of the many films DeMille made in 1915, shooting it at the same time as The Golden Chance. It is unmissable for its original use of light and chiaroscuro by Alvin Wyckoff and its sober, anti-theatrical acting. In France, many intellectuals praised it: Delluc, Colette, Aragon, Epstein etc. This film influenced many directors, including in Italy.
– EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JESSE L. LASKY.
– IT IS THE FIRST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY TO SPAWN BOTH A PLAY AND AN OPERA. IT HAS HAD 4 REMAKES ON SCREEN: TWO IN THE USA (1923 AND 1931) WITH THE SAME TITLE, ONE IN ITALY ‘MALIA’ (1917) AND ONE IN FRANCE ‘FORFAITURE’ (1937).
script: Hector Turnbull, Jeanie Macpherson
photography: Alvin Wyckoff
mounting: Cecil B. DeMille - Non accreditato
scenography: Wilfred Buckland
color: Bianco & Nero
production company: CECIL B. DE MILLE PER JESSE L. LASKY FEATURE PLAY COMPANY
technical specifications: MUTO (1: 1.33)
other titles: Forfaiture, I Prevaricatori, The Cheat
