The Cheaters (1930) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 1930, The Cheaters is a policier, drame and romance film directed by Paulette McDonagh, running about 92 minutes.

What it’s about. An embezzler, Bill Marsh, swears vengeance on a businessman, John Travers, who has turned him in to the police. Twenty years pass, and Marsh emerges from jail and establishes himself as the head of a powerful crime empire, with his daughter, Paula, serving as bait to attract wealthy victims. Paula falls in love with Lee Travers, the adopted son of Marsh's old enemy, and begins to have doubts about her life of crime. Only after a series of tragic incidents is she set free to marry Lee and start life anew. This silent feature was highly regarded for its set design and 'unusual sensitivity to the expressive range of the camera and their awareness of careful scenario construction as a key to emotionally powerful cinema'. Cast includes Marie Lorraine, Arthur Greenaway, John Faulkner. A sound version was attempted soon after but was not successful and was never released.

Who’s in it. The Cheaters stars Marie Lorraine as Paula Marsh, Arthur Greenaway as Richard Marsh, John Faulkner as John Travers and Josef Bambach as Lee Travers, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.6/10, The Cheaters has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Cheaters page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Cheaters tend to enjoy Les Évadés, Le Parrain, Le Parrain, 2e partie and The Dark Knight : Le Chevalier noir.