“The Man Who Cheated Himself” is a thriller film of 1950 directed by Felix E. Feist. The film is known for its period-typical noir style and intricate plot.
The story revolves around police detective Ed Cullen, played by Lee J. Cobb, who gets caught up in a complex web of murder and betrayal. Ed Cullen is a successful and respected cop, but when he meets a glamorous woman named Lois Frazer, played by Jane Wyatt, things start to get complicated. Lois is married to Howard Frazer, played by John Dall, but is in a secret relationship with Ed.
When Howard finds out about his wife and Ed’s affair, he becomes violent and threatens to ruin Ed’s career. In the midst of a furious argument, Ed accidentally kills Howard. Deciding to cover up the murder, Ed involves his brother, Police Lieutenant Andy Cullen, played by John Dall, at the crime scene.
The film develops like a classic crime noir, with a number of unexpected twists and turns. Tensions build as Lt. Cullen gets ever closer to the truth, jeopardizing his career and his bond with his brother.
“The Man Who Cheated Himself” is known for its dark and atmospheric photography, typical of the noir genre. The well-constructed plot and solid performances of the lead actors help make the film compelling.
Despite not being a big hit at the time of its release, “The Man Who Cheated Himself” has over time become a cult film in the noir genre. It is a classic example of 1950s noir, with all the hallmarks of the genre, including a corrupt detective, a femme fatale and a tangled plot.
In conclusion, “The Man Who Cheated Himself” is a noir movie fascinating and well made that deserves to be discovered by lovers of the genre. Its gripping storyline and convincing performances make this film a classic of 1950s film noir.
Plot
The plot of “The Man Who Cheated Himself” revolves around detective Ed Cullen, played by Lee J. Cobb, and his relationship with a glamorous woman named Lois Frazer, played by Jane Wyatt.
Ed Cullen is a respected and successful police detective in San Francisco. During one of his investigations, he meets Lois Frazer, a woman who is married to Howard Frazer. A strong attraction immediately develops between Ed and Lois and the two begin a secret relationship.
When Howard discovers his wife’s infidelity, he becomes violent and threatens to ruin Ed’s career. During a violent fight between Ed, Howard and Lois, Ed accidentally kills Howard. He then decides to cover up the murder by involving his brother, police lieutenant Andy Cullen, played by John Dall.
Andy begins to investigate the murder and becomes involved in trying to hide evidence. But as the investigation progresses, Lieutenant Cullen begins to suspect something is wrong. He discovers clues that challenge his brother’s story and begins to investigate further.
Tensions mount as Lieutenant Cullen gets ever closer to the truth, putting his career and relationship with his brother at risk. Meanwhile, Lois tries to manipulate the situation to her advantage, trying to keep her involvement in the murder under wraps.
The story unfolds with a series of twists and unexpected revelations, culminating in a gripping finale in which Lieutenant Cullen discovers the truth and has to make a difficult decision.
“The Man Who Cheated Himself” is a noir thriller that explores the themes of infidelity, corruption and loyalty. The tangled plot and family tensions make the film immersive and gripping until the very last scene.
Movie Characters
Here are the main characters of the movie “The Man Who Cheated Himself”:
Detective Ed Cullen (played by Lee J. Cobb): He is the protagonist of the film, a respected and successful police detective. He falls in love with Lois Frazer and finds himself involved in a murder he tries to cover up.
Lois Frazer (played by Jane Wyatt): She is a charming and mysterious woman, married to Howard Frazer. She has a secret relationship with Ed Cullen and becomes a central figure in the film’s plot.
Howard Frazer (played by John Dall): He is Lois’ husband, an abusive man who discovers his wife’s infidelity. His accidental death sets off the film’s main events.
Lieutenant Andy Cullen (played by John Dall): He is Ed Cullen’s brother and a police lieutenant. He finds himself involved in the cover-up of Howard’s murder and suspects something shady behind his brother’s story.
Lois’ Attorney (played by Charles Arnt): He is Lois Frazer’s attorney who assists her in the murder investigation and tries to protect her interests.
These are just some of the main characters in the film “The Man Who Cheated Himself”. There are also other secondary characters who contribute to the plot and twists of the story.
Production
The film “The Man Who Cheated Himself” was produced by Jack M. Warner Productions and distributed by Allied Artists Pictures. Production was handled by Jack M. Warner, who was the brother of Harry Warner, one of the founders of the Warner Bros. studio.
The film was directed by Felix E. Feist, who directed numerous film noirs during his career. Feist was known for his ability to create dark and suggestive atmospheres typical of the noir genre.
The screenplay was written by Seton I. Miller and Philip MacDonald. Miller was a successful screenwriter who had worked on several noir films, while MacDonald was a writer known for his crime novels and his works for the cinema.
The film’s cast included such actors as Lee J. Cobb as Detective Ed Cullen, Jane Wyatt as Lois Frazer, and John Dall as Lieutenant Andy Cullen. All three actors gave convincing performances and helped make the film a classic of the noir genre.
The film’s cinematography was handled by Russell Harlan, known for his work on other film noirs of the time. Harlan used light and shadow to create a dark and suggestive atmosphere, typical of the genre.
“The Man Who Cheated Himself” was filmed primarily in San Francisco, which provided an atmospheric backdrop for the film. The city was used to create an urban setting and helped give the film an authentic feel.
Overall, the production of “The Man Who Cheated Himself” involved a team of film professionals who worked together to create a quality and engaging film noir.
Distribution and Reception
The film “The Man Who Cheated Himself” was released in theaters on December 26, 1950 by Allied Artists Pictures. At the time of its release, the film was not a major commercial success and did not receive wide distribution. However, over the years, it has become a cult film in the noir genre.
Critics praised the film for its intricate plot and noir style. In particular, Lee J. Cobb’s portrayal of Detective Ed Cullen received much praise for his compelling and compelling performance. Jane Wyatt and John Dall were also lauded for their performances.
Despite limited critical success, “The Man Who Cheated Himself” failed to reach the general public and did not gain significant exposure upon its release. However, over the years, the film has been re-evaluated and appreciated by film noir enthusiasts and critics alike.
Its DVD and Blu-ray release has allowed a wider audience to discover and enjoy the film. It has become a cult title for lovers of the noir genre, thanks to its gripping storyline, atmospheric cinematography and solid performances from the actors.
“The Man Who Cheated Himself” is now regarded as a classic example of 1950s film noir and continues to be revered for its dark atmosphere and compelling story.
Style
The style of “The Man Who Cheated Himself” reflects the distinctive characteristics of the noir genre of the 1950s. Here are some stylistic elements present in the film:
Noir photography: The film uses dark and contrasty photography to create a dark and mysterious atmosphere. There are plays of light and shadow, which help to emphasize the moral ambiguity of the characters and create a feeling of tension and danger.
Urban Setting: The film is set primarily in San Francisco, a city that provides an atmospheric and urban setting for the noir plot. Street and building exteriors help create an authentic and realistic feel.
Complex characters: The characters in the film are characterized by shades of gray morally. The protagonist, Ed Cullen, is a corrupt detective who stumbles upon a tangled web of murder and betrayal. Even the female characters, such as Lois Frazer, are ambiguous and mysterious, often characterized as femme fatales.
Intricate Plot: The film features a storyline full of twists and turns. The plot develops in a complex way, involving the audience in solving the mystery and maintaining a constant narrative tension.
Sharp Dialogue: The dialogue in the film is often direct and sharp, with memorable lines that reflect the cynicism and dark humor typical of the noir genre.
These are just some of the stylistic elements present in “The Man Who Cheated Himself”. Overall, the film embodies the distinctive aesthetics and atmosphere of the noir genre, providing audiences with an immersive and atmospheric experience.
Director
The director of “The Man Who Cheated Himself” is Felix E. Feist. Born February 28, 1905 in New York City, Feist began his film career as a screenwriter in the 1930s, before moving into directing in the 1940s and 1950s.
Feist is known for his proficiency in directing films across various genres, including thrillers, action movie and noirs. He has directed several successful noir films during his career, demonstrating a fondness for complex stories and dark atmospheres.
In the case of “The Man Who Cheated Himself,” Feist has worked skillfully to create the typical atmosphere of the noir genre, using the suggestive cinematography and the play of light and shadow to give the film a dark and mysterious atmosphere .
Feist’s direction in “The Man Who Cheated Himself” was lauded for his ability to handle the tangled plot and maintain constant narrative tension. He knew how to direct the actors to get intense performances and created effective action sequences and moments of suspense.
Felix E. Feist helped make “The Man Who Cheated Himself” a successful film noir by providing audiences with an immersive and compelling experience in the world of crime and corruption.
