The Cheaters (The Castaway)

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Nostalgia Home Video Starring: Joseph Schildkraut, Eugene Pallette, Billie Burke, Ona Munson, Raymond Walburn Directed By: Joseph Kane Average Customer Rating:


Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 0644827454334 Format: Black & White Label: Nostalgia Home Video Manufacturer: Nostalgia Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Nostalgia Home Video Running Time: 87 Studio: Nostalgia Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 1945
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Editorial Reviews: Thought-provoking dramedy follows the members of a rich family as they prepare for their Christmas celebrations. Taken by the spirit of giving, they decide to help out a struggling actor by giving him food and shelter for the holiday season. Quickly, they discover the consequences of their actions when their guest provides them with a fresh perspective on life. Joseph Schildkraut, Billie Burke, Eugene Pallette star. AKA: "The Castaway."
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Forgotten gem Comment: This was one of those movies that played around Christmas time faithfully about 30 years ago, along with "Christmas in Connecticut", "The Bishop's Wife" and the 1930's American version of "A Christmas Carol". Unfortunately, it got lost and I am thrilled to see it on VHS, if not DVD! It's the story of a spoiled rich family headed by the sweet, if ineffectual, Billie Burke as the mother and the blustering, if ineffectual, Eugene Pallette as the father. Their eldest daughter brings home a homeless man, the wonderful Joseph Schildkraut, for all the wrong reasons. Their frenetic, shallow lives play out in front of him as he eventually teaches them the true meaning of the holidays and family while learning a little from them, too. I love that the daughter brings him home strictly to aggravate and challenge her parents and impress her boyfriend, a soldier. Her parents respond with disdain and nervous tolerance, attitudes that certainly haven't changed since this movie was made. What has changed and what is lost is the plush sets of the 1930's and early 1940's and the old comedic style of films like these. And the fact that it is a family movie (yes, one that will entertain you and that your kids may enjoy in spite of themselves) makes it worth the money to add this to your holiday viewing. More Reviews