The Man who Cheated Himself (1950)

Old Time Hollywood Leading men are underrated. They're often dismissed as "wooden",  "bad actors" or "just a pretty face".  But they fufilled a key need in films that weren't top quality.   They gave the audience someone to root for, because they were likable.  They had sex appeal, so the romance was believable, and they were seemed strong enough to be cops, cowboys, soldiers, etc.

And then there were Character actors.  Usually,  guys that weren't romantic, likable, or handsome enough to play the lead.  They were usually pretty good actors, or they were tough guys who just didn't have the looks to play the lead. 

Which brings me to Lee J. Cobb and The Man Who Cheated Himself.  Cobb plays the lead. He's a head Dectective who's in love with Jane Wyman.  Not Jane Wyman average housewife,  Jane Wyman rich, devious, femme fatale. We're supposed to buy that Wyman and Cobb are an item.  That they're in love, and he's sap enough to help her out of a murder rap.  

Except, its not believable for a second.  Cobb has all the sex appeal of a block of cement.  And when he and Wyman kiss, you don't feel the sexual heat, you cringe.  In fact, there's nothing likable about Lee J. Cobb in this movie.  He's not only mismatched with Wyman, he's a dour sourpuss, and you can't even feel sorry for him, like you do at the end of 12 Angry Men.  Cobb could be a great actor, but a leading man? Nope.  A romantic figure? Nope.  A likeable guy you cared about ? Nope. 

I've concentrated on the casting, because The Man who Cheated Himself is a low budget film noir.  And  casting is key in Noir.  Noir movies weren't great dramas and they didn't have big budgets - if we remember some of them its because of the casting, maybe some fine location shots, direction, and a good script.  

Summary:  Its not all bad.  There's some interesting shots at Fort Point at the end.  And of the Golden Gate Bridge.  And there's some good one-liners.  But Cobb fails the movie.  And Wyman is also miscast. And there's no one particularly interesting in support. No wonder its been forgotten.  Rating **1/2 

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