She's no good, but she’s good for me! The Man Who Cheated Himself comes from director Felix E. Feist and features a script by Seton I. Miller and Phillip MacDonald. The cast includes Lee J. Cobb, Jane Wyatt, John Dall and Lisa Howard. Louis Forbes composed the music and Russell Harlan was responsible for the cinematography. Ed Cullen (Cobb) is a police officer involved in an affair with wealthy Lois Frazer (Wyatt). When Lois shoots her husband dead in a moment of panic, it causes Cullen considerable distress. He happened to be present at the scene as well, a witness to what occurred. Don't forget to change your will. This film noir incorporates many of the standard elements associated with that genre. It’s something of an overlooked and underappreciated work, but manages to overcome some minor shortcomings to become quite powerful. Cullen (Cobb is excellent) finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of trouble he created for himself because of his attraction to a woman, portrayed by Wyatt in an unusual role. Both characters are unfaithful; she’s unreliable, and he's quick to disregard the rules with dishonesty and a willingness to be corrupted. The story becomes more complex when Cullen’s younger brother, Andy (Dall), also a police officer, joins him in investigating the now-mysterious murder case. This creates a family conflict as the younger Cullen tries to solve the puzzle while his older brother attempts to mislead him about his own involvement. It's effective because, like several other notable noirs (Scandal Sheet, The Big Clock, among others), we see a protagonist essentially investigating himself. And with the brothers holding opposing values, it maintains a good level of suspense. The dialogue often feels abrupt and the police procedural elements are handled in a believable way. Close calls arise and then disappear as the investigation goes from nearly resolved to “wait a minute, something isn’t right.” Deceptive alliances appear unexpectedly. Russell Harlan (Gun Crazy/Riot In Cell Block 11) consistently creates a dark atmosphere with shadows and low lighting while also showcasing San Francisco's locations beautifully. The finale filmed at Fort Point is particularly striking—a perfect setting for noir if there ever was one, having previously been appreciated by Hitchcock and Boorman as well. Wyatt’s performance is reasonably convincing as a femme fatale, but it's hard not to wonder what a more established actress in the genre could have brought to the part. It’s clear that at the start, Cullen and Frazer simply needed to present a self-defense case without any complications. However, without that initial situation, this noir story wouldn't exist, all of which is skillfully directed by Feist (Tomorrow is Another Day). 7.5/10

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