Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageYou Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939)
Director: George Marshall
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
'It is overloaded with two-reel comedy and no story, no pathos, no believable characters': the perceptive critic is Fields himself, who helplessly watched Universal mishandle his heartwarming story of a roguish circus owner. Most of the comedy is put into the sticky hands of Edgar Bergen, known now as the father of Candice, known then as a ventriloquist and the manipulator of dummy Charlie McCarthy, whose radio feud with Fields had all America doubled up. But their antics now seem far more historical than hysterical, and Fields' character emerges sadly belittled and coarsened. Still, good moments survive here and there.Author: GB
Cast & crew
Director: George Marshall
Producer: Lester Cowan
Cast: WC Fields, Edgar Bergen, Constance Moore, James Bush, Mary Forbes, Edward Brophy, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 76 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now