You Can't Cheat an Honest Man background

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

A struggling circus owner faces financial ruin and personal turmoil as he navigates his daughter's romantic entanglements with a performer and a wealthy suitor.

A seedy circus, perpetually in debt, is run by Larson E. Whipsnade, who faces trouble from his performers, including Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Whipsnade's children, Phineas and Vicky, attend a posh college, with Vicky torn between marrying a rich but unfaithful suitor and Edgar Bergen's ventriloquial charm.

Main Cast

W.C. FieldsW.C. FieldsLarson E. Whipsnade
Edgar BergenEdgar BergenThe Great Edgar
Eddie 'Rochester' AndersonEddie 'Rochester' AndersonCheerful
Constance MooreConstance MooreVictoria Whipsnade
John ArledgeJohn ArledgePhineas Whipsnade
James BushJames BushRoger Bel-Goodie
Thurston HallThurston HallMr. Archibald Bel-Goodie
Mary ForbesMary ForbesMrs. Bel-Goodie
Edward BrophyEdward BrophyCorbett
Arthur HohlArthur HohlBurr
Princess BabaPrincess BabaPrincess Baba, The Great Edgar's Assistant
Mortimer SnerdMortimer SnerdMortimer (ventriloquist dummy)
Ernie AdamsErnie AdamsEddie - Circus Attendant (uncredited)
Dorothy ArnoldDorothy Arnold1st Debutante (uncredited)
Irving BaconIrving BaconJailer (uncredited)
Lulu Mae BohrmanLulu Mae BohrmanWedding Guest (uncredited)
Ralph BrooksRalph BrooksWedding Guest (uncredited)
Eddy ChandlerEddy ChandlerHighway Patrol Officer (uncredited)
Dora ClementDora ClementWoman (uncredited)
Jack Rube CliffordJack Rube CliffordRiding Master (uncredited)
Charles ColemanCharles ColemanRobinson - Bel-Goodie's Butler (uncredited)
Evelyn Del RioEvelyn Del RioLittle Girl Who Cries (uncredited)
Drew DemorestDrew DemorestBarker (uncredited)
Dick DickinsonDick DickinsonContortionist (uncredited)
Jan DugganJan DugganMrs. Sludge (uncredited)
Eddie DunnEddie DunnCop (uncredited)
Billy EngleBilly EngleCircus Attendant
Jack GardnerJack GardnerTicket Seller (uncredited)
Grace GoodallGrace GoodallScreaming Spinster / Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Sam HarrisSam HarrisWedding Guest (uncredited)
Leyland HodgsonLeyland HodgsonButler (uncredited)
Otto HoffmanOtto HoffmanMayor (uncredited)
Lloyd IngrahamLloyd IngrahamMayor / Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Frank JenksFrank JenksJerry - Assistant (uncredited)
Si JenksSi JenksHillbilly (uncredited)
Jack KenneyJack KenneyBarker (uncredited)
Joe KingJoe KingPoliceman (uncredited)
Ivan LebedeffIvan LebedeffRonnie (uncredited)
Ethelreda LeopoldEthelreda LeopoldBlonde at Party (uncredited)
Jimmie LucasJimmie LucasBarker (uncredited)
Eric MayneEric MayneWedding Guest (uncredited)
Frank MeltonFrank MeltonFirst Yokel (uncredited)
Harold MillerHarold MillerParty Guest (uncredited)
Edmund MortimerEdmund MortimerWedding Guest (uncredited)
James C. MortonJames C. MortonJudge (uncredited)
Charles MurphyCharles MurphyLon - Roustabout (uncredited)
Frank O'ConnorFrank O'ConnorCop with Judge (uncredited)
George Offerman, Jr.George Offerman, Jr.Western Union Man (uncredited)
David OliverDavid OliverMan Cheated at Window (uncredited)
George OveyGeorge OveyCircus Attendant (uncredited)
Lee PhelpsLee PhelpsSheriff (uncredited)
June PrestonJune PrestonLittle Blond Girl Singing and Dancing (uncredited)
Ralph SanfordRalph SanfordTruck Driver (uncredited)
Grady SuttonGrady SuttonChester Dalrymple (uncredited)
Ferris TaylorFerris TaylorDeputy Sheriff (uncredited)
Don TerryDon TerryPing-Pong Player (uncredited)
Walter TetleyWalter TetleyBoy with Candy Cane (uncredited)
Lelah TylerLelah TylerSociety Woman / Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Minerva UrecalMinerva UrecalScreaming Spinster at Circus (uncredited)
Dale Van SickelDale Van SickelWedding Guest (uncredited)
Russell WadeRussell WadeWedding Guest (uncredited)
Beryl WallaceBeryl WallaceGirl (uncredited)
Delmar WatsonDelmar WatsonBoy with Slingshot (uncredited)
Florence WixFlorence WixWedding Guest (uncredited)
Bill WolfeBill WolfeTicket Buyer / Brentwood - World's Smallest Giant (uncredited)
Duke YorkDuke YorkMinor Role (uncredited)
Ruth CherringtonRuth CherringtonParty Guest (uncredited)
Hazel DohlmanHazel DohlmanWedding Guest (uncredited)

Creators

George MarshallGeorge MarshallDirector
Edward F. ClineEdward F. ClineDirector
W.C. FieldsW.C. FieldsStory
George Marion Jr.George Marion Jr.Screenplay
Everett FreemanEverett FreemanScreenplay
Richard MackRichard MackScreenplay

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Videos

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939) Original Trailer [HD]

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939) Original Trailer [HD]

WC Fields from 'You Can't Cheat an Honest Man'

WC Fields from 'You Can't Cheat an Honest Man'

Joe Dante on YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN

Joe Dante on YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN

Never ...smarten up a chump

Never ...smarten up a chump

Info about You Can't Cheat an Honest Man

Studio(s): Universal Pictures

Originally Released: United States, Feb 17, 1939

Production Country: United States

Genres:Comedy, Family

Top 5 Movies

Top 5 TV Series

Hell's Kitchen

Top 5 Providers for Movies

Prime VideoHuluNetflixDisney+Max

Top 5 Providers for TV Series

Disney+

Next Upcoming Movies

Mission: Impossible - The Final ReckoningSnow WhiteThe Unbreakable BoyDisfluencyThunderbolts*

Next Upcoming TV Series

VeraGladiatorsRogue HeroesThe Traitors: UncloakedThe Traitors UK