"THE CHEAT"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1939, Page 7

"THE CHEAT"

FRENCH FILM AT OPERA

HOUSE

In no Avay inferior to the outstanding Continental productions which have attracted the discriminating picturegoing public of Wellington to the Opera House in recent 'weeks, "The Cheat," an entertaining and unusual French production, began a season there yesterday. The film, which is the English version oi' the French comedy gem "Le Roman dun Tricneur." is almost a one-man shoAv, uemg written and produced by Sacha Guitry, who is also its principal actor. His personality permeates the film and makes it the undoubted success it is.

From introduction, in Avhich the credits are givan by photographing the A'arious people who produced the film, to the surprising end, "The Cheat" strikes a novel note in talking pictures. It is the story of a man's life, and by sight and monologue, as well as by extraordinarily clever use of suggestive music, the autobiographical details are unrolled in a fascinating procession of incident.

The hero (?) is introduced to the audience at the age of 12 years in circumstances which are typical of the whole story of his picturesque life. As one of a family of tAvelve he is in deep disgrace for stealing money from the till of the family grocery shop. For a punishment he is forbidden his share of a dish of mushrooms Avhich fatally poison the other eleven and this starts the cheat on his career. There follows a . succession of incidents in which the youth* participates in anarchism, jewel robbery, and army life until he settles-doAvn to his real work, gambling.-

Though the film was made in France it has been "dubbed" with English 'speech by Mr. Norman Shelley. a 8.b8.C. announcer, whose contribution to the success of the film is, to English audiences, almost as great as that of the great Guitry himself, as the story depends so largely for its effect on the monologue which accompanies the portrayal of events. Mr. Shelley never fails to infuse the exact shade of meaning into his phrasing, and so skilful is the imposition of the English sound track that voice synchronises with movement perfectly. "The Cheat" is French comedy at i;s subtle and ironical - best, and is a refreshing break.from the more obvious tyoe of comedy drama that is usually offered by the talkies. On the supporting programme are newsreels Avhich are packed with topical war shots from many parts of the world, a "short" showing the training of circus girls, and a travelogue revealing the attractions of South Africa.