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!"

Oct 19 1966 Approved 2h 5m
Comedy, Romance

A cameraman is knocked over during a football game. His brother-in-law, as the king of the ambulance-chasing lawyers, starts a suit while he's still knocked out. The cameraman is against it until he hears that his ex-wife will be coming to see him. He pretends to be injured to get her back, but also sees what the strain is doing to the football player who injured him.

Plot

TV cameraman Harry Hinkle is injured while filming a football game. Seeing an opportunity for big, easy money, his unscrupulous ambulance-chasing lawyer brother-in-law, enters the picture. He gets Harry to overstate his injuries and claim $1 million in pain and suffering. Harry's similarly-minded ex-wife suddenly reappear and tries to rekindle their relationship. Meanwhile, the football player who hit Harry struggles with the outcome of his actions.

Written by

Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond

Directed by

Billy Wilder

Cast

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

United Artists, Jalem Productions, Phalanx Productions

Languages

English

Awards

Won 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 5 nominations total

Trailers
The Fortune Cookie Trailer
The Fortune Cookie (1966) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
Featurettes
Chris Wilkinson on THE FORTUNE COOKIE
Scores
# of Votes
16,093
Average Rating
7.2 out of 10
Metascore
63
Popularity
NA