The Man Who Cheated Himself-1950-Lee J. Cobb-John Dall

The Man who Cheated Himself is an under-appreciated and little known gem,it's the perfect film for the beginning of the bland Eisenhower years. Cobb's problems are laid to his unstable lifestyle, uncontrollable sex drive and failure to settle down and raise a family, something his more "normal" brother seems committed on doing. Living a safe life is tantamount to living a good life to those caught in the trappings of the mindset of the 1950s in America, a time when the Cold War was heating up and many Americans were suspicious of those who strayed from the mainstream. Though Dall can't be bought off, not even to save his brother's neck, he doesn't object when he gets off without a speeding ticket when a fellow cop recognizes him and leaves him with a smile and a wink. The filmmaker seems to be saying that there are acceptable perks that go along with conforming to the system, but helping a lady friend get away with murder because she gets under your skin is not one of the acceptable perks.


The Man Who Cheated Himself adeptly interweaves two familiar noir elements, a bad cop, and a double-crossing wife, to maintain interest and suspense. The film is enhanced by Russell Harlan's skillful use of San Francisco locales and credible performances.