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The Fortune Cookie

Is he a spy? A security risk? Is he unfaithful? Or is he a nice, normal shnook - out to make a million bucks by sheer accident!

7.2

1966•2h 5m

TV cameraman Harry Hinkle is injured while filming a football game. Seeing big dollar signs, his unscrupulous ambulance-chasing lawyer brother-in-law Willie Gingrich enters the picture, and convinces Harry to overstate his injuries and claim $1 million in pain and suffering. Harry's similarly-minded ex-wife suddenly reappears in an attempt to rekindle their relationship.

Production

Production

Available For Free On

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: The Fortune Cookie (1966) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

The Fortune Cookie (1966) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

Thumbnail for video: Chris Wilkinson on THE FORTUNE COOKIE

Chris Wilkinson on THE FORTUNE COOKIE

Cast

Photo of Jack Lemmon

Jack Lemmon

Harry Hinkle

Photo of Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau

Willie Gingrich

Photo of Ron Rich

Ron Rich

Boom Boom Jackson

Photo of Judi West

Judi West

Sandy Hinkle

Photo of Cliff Osmond

Cliff Osmond

Purkey

Photo of Lurene Tuttle

Lurene Tuttle

Mother Hinkle

Photo of Harry Holcombe

Harry Holcombe

O'Brien

Photo of Les Tremayne

Les Tremayne

Thompson

Photo of Marge Redmond

Marge Redmond

Charlotte Gingrich

Photo of Ann Shoemaker

Ann Shoemaker

Sister Veronica

Photo of Ned Glass

Ned Glass

Doc Schindler

Photo of Howard McNear

Howard McNear

Mr. Cimoli

Photo of Sig Ruman

Sig Ruman

Professor Winterhalter

Photo of Noam Pitlik

Noam Pitlik

Max

Photo of Judy Pace

Judy Pace

Elvira

Photo of Helen Kleeb

Helen Kleeb

Law Firm Switchboard Operator and Receptionist

Photo of Bartlett Robinson

Bartlett Robinson

Specialist #1

Photo of Ben Wright

Ben Wright

Doctor

Photo of Dodie Heath

Dodie Heath

Nun

Photo of William Christopher

William Christopher

Interne (as Bill Christopher)

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Reviews

J

John Chard

8/10

Morality and cynicism not quite the bedfellows Wilder intended?

Wilder's response to his previous film Kiss Me Stupid's criticism was intended to be a bitter attack on American morality, yet many critics of the time felt Wilder chickened out by sweetening the finale. If he actualy did this is obviously down to each individual viewer to decide, but in my case I just feel that it comes together nicely to finish off a very funny and sharp Wilder film.

Camerman Harry Henkle is working the sidelines filming a Browns/Vikings game when he is flattened by running back Boom Boom Jackson and taken to hospital. His crafty chiseller brother-in-law Willie sees an opportunity to make big money by suing all and sundry for negligence, that Harry is actually OK is a minor inconvenience. This sets us up to watch the dynamic duo of Walter Matthau (Willie) & Jack Lemmon (Harry) try and fake major injury to garner a big pay out. Naturally there are many problems along the way as Harry fights with his moral fibre and a burning torch for his ex wife Sandy. While convincing the doctors and insurance people that he is actually injured is not going to be easy, thus it makes for some truly funny sequences.

As you would expect from Wilder & I.A.L Diamond, the script sizzles with wit and cynicism (perfect material here for Matthau who won the best supporting Oscar), and although the running plot strand of Boom Boom Jackson's guilt and subsequent career jolt does dampen the film down a touch, it's still a winner that can be pleasantly sampled from time to time. 8/10

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