The Cheaters (1945)

Film and Plot Synopsis

The Pidgeon family is preparing for Christmas in their usual extravagant style despite the fact that they are approaching insolvency. The family’s only hope to avoid bankruptcy is an influx of cash from the estate of their deceased Uncle Henry. However, when Uncle Henry leaves all of his estate to an unknown showgirl, the normally contentious Pidgeon family all work together to prevent the woman from inheriting the money. However, a homeless actor that the family has taken in for the holidays proves far more than the Pidgeon family has bargained for as he shows them some real truths about giving and living.

‘The Cheaters’ Movie Summary

The film opens with New York City businessman James C. Pidgeon (Eugene Pallette) on the verge of bankruptcy. James’ family has out of control spending which James’ income cannot keep up with. As the film begins, the Pidgeon family is once again planning their elaborate Christmas celebration. James’ daughter Therese (Ruth Terry) persuades the rest of the family to take part in a charity case for the holidays. Therese’ motivations are not entirely altruistic, but more to impress her upper-class boyfriend Stephen Bates (Robert Livingston) and his haughty mother. The family scours through the newspaper and selects Anthony Marchand (Joseph Schildkraut), a homeless man who was once an actor at the height of his career until he was injured in a car accident 10 years earlier. Marchand now is a broken-down drunk who panhandles on the street.

As the family fusses over Marchand, James’ only hope from financial ruin is his rich Uncle Henry, who is on his deathbed. James’ son Reggie (David Holt) returns home with bad news – not only has Uncle Henry passed on but he has left the entirety of his $5 million estate to a woman named Florie Watson (Ona Munson), a showgirl Uncle Henry had once seen perform as a child 30 years earlier. Uncle Henry’s will stipulates that if Florie cannot be found within a reasonable amount of time, the estate will then pass to the Pidgeons. James bribes and conspires with the sole executor to limit the search to just placing newspaper ads for one week without mentioning the inheritance. The executor informs James that he believes the woman lives in New York City, not Denver, where Uncle Henry died. James decides to look for Florie himself, so that he can better keep the news from reaching her.

Hung over Marchand overhears the nefarious plan and suggests that he can locate Florie through the Actor’s Equity. Suspicious, Reggie suspects that Marchand is attempting to extort the Pidgeons, but Marchand makes a heartfelt speech about honor and his gratitude to the Pidgeons for taking him during the holidays. Marchand eavesdrops as Reggie and James continue their conversation and walks away without his customary limp. Marchand is observed doing both by Angela Pidgeon, the youngest daughter. Angela informs Marchand that she is amused by his deception as Marchand regains his limp.

Florie is located in New York, and James sends Marchand and Willie Crawford (Raymond Walburn), James’ freeloading brother-in-law, to contact her. Willie lies to Florie and informs her that they are cousins, and that the Pidgeon family would like her to spend the holidays with them. Florie recognizes Marchand from his work on the stage and confides in him that she knows she is not related to the Pidgeons, but since she does not have money and is behind on her rent, she will play along to feed herself over Christmas.

Gratitude in most men is usually a secret desire to receive greater benefits. Anthony Marchand (Joseph Schildkraut)

The next day, James is shocked to learn that the search for Florie has ended up on the front page of the newspaper. Unsure that they will be able to keep it from Florie if they remain in New York, the Pidgeons decide to immediately move their Christmas celebration to an isolated house in the country that James is working to sell. When they arrive at the remote location with all of their Christmas presents in tow, they are shocked to discover that the servants have all quit due to the bizarreness of the Pidgeons behavior. The family is forced to clean up the run-down and empty house and prepare for the holidays by themselves. Everyone pitches in, with the exception of Angela, who does eventually lend a hand.

Meanwhile, the search for Florie continues. Two private detectives pick up the trail of Florie to the Pidgeons and then follow them to the rustic house in the woods. When they arrive, the Pidgeons and Marchand all work together to mislead the two men. However, the detectives realize they are being lied to and decide to leave to get a search warrant.
That night, on Christmas Eve, Marchand gives a speech, after drinking some alcohol with Willie in the basement, which compares the Pidgeon family’s situation to the misdeeds of Jacob Marley in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” As Marchand concludes his speech, he passes out drunk. All of the Pidgeons are surprised to find that they are ashamed of themselves. They collectively confess their entire rouse to Florie, who takes it in great stride. Florie thanks them for including her in their holiday celebration and offers to give the Pidgeon family half of the money. Everyone celebrates and then goes to bed.

The next day, on Christmas, Marchand awakens before everyone else. He decides to leave the rustic house due to his divided loyalties. He goes to a nearby bar. Florie, who has a romantic interest in Marchand, tracks him down and informs him that the Pidgeons have done the right thing and that they all want him to return to the house to celebrate Christmas as a big family.