Watch The Cheat

The Cheat is a silent drama film from 1915 that stars Fannie Ward, Sessue Hayakawa, and Jack Dean. The movie is directed by Cecil B. DeMille, who is considered one of the pioneers of Hollywood cinema. The story follows Edith Hardy (Fannie Ward), a rich socialite who is bored with her life and her husband. She becomes enamored with the exotic and mysterious Hishuru Tori (Sessue Hayakawa), a Japanese businessman who has just moved to town. Edith's husband, Richard (Jack Dean), disapproves of their relationship and warns her that she is playing with fire.

However, Edith ignores his warnings and borrows a large sum of money from Hishuru without Richard's knowledge. When Richard finds out, he is furious and demands that she repay the debt. Desperate and without options, Edith turns to Hishuru for help. He agrees to lend her the money but demands a favor in return: she must forgo her honor and be his mistress for one night.

Edith initially refuses but eventually gives in to Hishuru's demands. The morning after their encounter, Hishuru reveals that he has set her up so that he can publicly humiliate and shame her. Edith, now with her reputation ruined, must try to salvage her marriage and her dignity.

The film is notable for its controversial themes and its depiction of interracial relationships, which were taboo at the time. Sessue Hayakawa's portrayal of Hishuru is also noteworthy for its complex and nuanced portrayal of a Japanese character, which was a rarity in Hollywood films at the time.

The Cheat was a commercial and critical success upon its release and is now considered a classic of early Hollywood cinema. It is regarded as a pioneering work in the development of narrative film and the use of lighting and camera techniques to create tension and drama.

The film also made Fannie Ward a star and cemented Cecil B. DeMille's reputation as a master filmmaker. DeMille would go on to direct numerous other successful films, including The Ten Commandments and Cleopatra.

In conclusion, The Cheat is a landmark film of Hollywood cinema, notable for its controversial themes, nuanced portrayal of characters, and innovative use of film techniques. It remains an important work in the history of film and a must-see for anyone interested in the evolution of cinema.

The Cheat is a 1915 drama with a runtime of 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.