![]() The problems are ultimately amended and a happy ending found, making for an abrupt denouement meant to satisfy the masses. There’s a shooting that the husband admits to and a subsequent court trial full of sordid scandal-worthy confessions. So while it’s playing into the long-accepted narrative including diatribes against immigration, it’s also taking advantage of the situation for pure entertainment value. It’s actually quite perturbing, especially in a modern world finally looking to cast light on the sexual predation of women.īeyond this caveat, The Cheat no doubt accentuated contemporary fears of the Yellow Peril as much as it titillated with the handsomeness of its foreign star. Extramarital drama and blackmail ensue with the tyrant putting his literal stamp on her as a sign of ownership. She’s willing to turn anywhere, even her regular companion the suave foreigner Prince Haka Arakau (Tori in the original release).Īlthough gentlemanly and innocent enough at first, the lascivious prince looks to press his advantage, agreeing to give her the money - with strings attached. Of course, no one needs to be told it doesn’t bode well and as a result, the wife is out $10,000. In being so impatient, she resolves to leverage the red cross funds she’s been entrusted with by her woman’s group - $10,000 of assets - and hands it over to an acquaintance who promises a sure thing in return. He needs his investments to pay dividends first. A well-off wife (Fannie Ward) is pouting because her husband (Jack Dean) won’t give her the funds for a new dress. No doubt this understatement derived from the Japanese attempt to strive for the so-called absence of doing or “muga,” when it came to performances.īecause the teleplay on its own is fairly rudimentary. In an age, of not only discrimination and stereotypes but also extensive overacting for the camera, his parts are almost reserved in comparison. Simply comparing his style of acting with many of his peers during the silent era bears telling results. Sessue Hayakawa must also receive a nod not only as a groundbreaking pioneer in an industry that still doesn’t boast too many Asian performers but also as one of the most important stars of his day. It meant bang-bang box office receipts and kept DeMille inexorably at the top of Hollywood for years to come. It was his coming-out party with the viewing public, slating him as a craftsman of delicious dramas gorging themselves on all sorts of sensual themes and pleasures. ![]() Griffith, The Cheat is another subsequent landmark production for a couple of the talents it helped align. Thus, beyond the monumental impact of D.W. The cinema landscape was still in its utter infancy in 1915. East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.
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