The Adorable Cheat

• Continuity: The wall calendar in George’s office flutters in the breeze and stays still between shots (suggesting the scene was shot on an outdoor set).

‘The Adorable Cheat’ has an unfortunate title: I dislike it when amovie *tells* me outright that I’m meant to find the heroine adorable;I prefer to make that decision for myself. But this is a fine lightdrama (with some comedy touches), supplying an excellent showcase forLila Lee’s charm and talents.

Marion (Lee) is the daughter of Cyrus Dorsey (the dependable BurrMcIntosh), a manufacturing magnate. Her brother Will is anirresponsible playboy. Level-headed sensible Marion is clearly bettersuited than Will to take over the reins of the company, but theirbloody-minded father believes that the board room is no place for a’girl’. (Although he’s got plenty of women working on his assemblyline.)

To acclimatise herself with every aspect of her father’s business,Marion disguises herself as a prole and gets a job in his factory.While passing as a working-class woman, heiress Marion meets GeorgeMason, a lowly shipping clerk who also works for her father. Loveensues, to the point where she reveals her true identity to him. Hopingto get her father’s approval for their marriage, she invites George toa party at the Dorsey mansion. But then someone robs Cyrus Dorsey’ssafe during the party, and the evidence points to George being theculprit. Will justice prevail?

Lila Lee gives an excellent performance in what might arguably be adual role: she ably establishes herself as an heiress born toprivilege, yet is equally convincing in her disguise as a pink-collaremployee. What weakens this movie are the poor script and stoliddirection. The identity of the real thief is blindingly obvious, andseveral of the supporting characters seem to be archetypes rather thanhuman beings: Cyrus Dorsey is the bloated plutocrat, whilst GeorgeMason’s parents are salt-of-the-earth homespun folks. Mostly on thestrength of Lila Lee’s vivacious performance, and some goodphotography, I’ll rate this movie 7 out of 10.

2) Lila Lee was an attractive and talented actress in the late silent era.She married James Kirkwood, a star of silent westerns, at a time whenhe was a bigger star than Lee … but her career prospered while hisdiminished. When talkies arrived, she proved to have a pleasantspeaking voice and some ability with dialogue. Her stardom brieflycontinued into the sound era, but she managed her career badly andfaded into obscurity. She is remembered for being Lon Chaney’s leadinglady in his only sound film, and also as the mother of the playwrightwho wrote ‘A Chorus Line’, James Kirkwood Jnr.

‘The Adorable Cheat’ has an unfortunate title: I dislike it when amovie *tells* me outright that I’m meant to find the heroine adorable;I prefer to make that decision for myself. But this is a fine lightdrama (with some comedy touches), supplying an excellent showcase forLila Lee’s charm and talents.

Marion (Lee) is the daughter of Cyrus Dorsey (the dependable BurrMcIntosh), a manufacturing magnate. Her brother Will is anirresponsible playboy. Level-headed sensible Marion is clearly bettersuited than Will to take over the reins of the company, but theirbloody-minded father believes that the board room is no place for a’girl’. (Although he’s got plenty of women working on his assemblyline.)

To acclimatise herself with every aspect of her father’s business,Marion disguises herself as a prole and gets a job in his factory.While passing as a working-class woman, heiress Marion meets GeorgeMason, a lowly shipping clerk who also works for her father. Loveensues, to the point where she reveals her true identity to him. Hopingto get her father’s approval for their marriage, she invites George toa party at the Dorsey mansion. But then someone robs Cyrus Dorsey’ssafe during the party, and the evidence points to George being theculprit. Will justice prevail?

Lila Lee gives an excellent performance in what might arguably be adual role: she ably establishes herself as an heiress born toprivilege, yet is equally convincing in her disguise as a pink-collaremployee. What weakens this movie are the poor script and stoliddirection. The identity of the real thief is blindingly obvious, andseveral of the supporting characters seem to be archetypes rather thanhuman beings: Cyrus Dorsey is the bloated plutocrat, whilst GeorgeMason’s parents are salt-of-the-earth homespun folks. Mostly on thestrength of Lila Lee’s vivacious performance, and some goodphotography, I’ll rate this movie 7 out of 10.