The Story of a Cheat

Le Roman d'un tricheur

1936·81'

Sacha Guitry

ComedyCrime

French

Letterboxd TMDB #65642

Life story of a charming scoundrel, with little dialogue other than the star/director's witty narration. As a boy, only he survives a family tragedy when he's deprived of supper (poisonous mushrooms!) for stealing...concluding that dishonesty pays. Through years of dabbling in crime and amusing adventures, two women appear and reappear in his life, a dazzling blonde jewel thief and a stunning brunette gambler. Finally, he meets the mysterious Charbonnier who had saved his life in World War I, leading to the surprising next phase in his career...

Cast

Sacha Guitry le tricheur Jacqueline Delubac la femme Marguerite Moreno l'aventurière Pauline Carton Madame Moriot Rosine Deréan la voleuse professionnelle Fréhel la rouquine, chanteuse du beuglant Elmire Vautier la comtesse Beauchamp (jeune) Serge Grave le tricheur (petit garçon) Pierre Asso le tricheur (jeune homme) Roger Duchesne Serge Abramitch Henri Pfeifer M. Charbonnier Pierre Labry Maître Morlot, le notaire et cousin