The Cheat is a 1915 silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The story follows Edith Hardy, a spoiled socialite who embezzles funds from a charity to cover her lavish expenses. Desperate to replace the stolen money, she turns to Hishuru Tori, a wealthy ivory trader, who agrees to help her in exchange for a personal favor. When Edith tries to back out of their deal, Tori brands her with a heated iron, leading to a violent confrontation. With Sessue Hayakawa’s intense performance, dramatic themes, and DeMille’s masterful direction, this film remains a landmark in early cinema, exploring issues of race, gender, and morality.
Credits:
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Producer: Jesse L. Lasky
Starring: Fannie Ward, Sessue Hayakawa, Jack Dean
Screenplay: Hector Turnbull, Jeanie MacPherson
Cinematography: Alvin Wyckoff
#TheCheat1915 #SilentCinema #ClassicHollywood #CecilBDeMille
