The Fortune Cookie (1966)
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- Passed
- 2h 5min
- Comedy, Romance
- 19 Oct 1966 (USA)
- Movie
A crooked lawyer persuades his brother-in-law to feign a serious injury.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Jack Lemmon | ... |
Harry Hinkle
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| Walter Matthau | ... |
Willie Gingrich
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| Ron Rich | ... |
Luther 'Boom Boom' Jackson
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| Judi West | ... |
Sandy Hinkle
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| Cliff Osmond | ... |
Chester Purkey
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| Lurene Tuttle | ... |
Mother Hinkle
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| Harry Holcombe | ... |
O'Brien
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| Les Tremayne | ... |
Thompson
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| Lauren Gilbert | ... |
Kincaid
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| Marge Redmond | ... |
Charlotte Gingrich
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| Noam Pitlik | ... |
Max
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Harry Davis | ... |
Dr. Krugman
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| Ann Shoemaker | ... |
Sister Veronica
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Maryesther Denver | ... |
Ugly Nurse
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| Ned Glass | ... |
Doc Schindler
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| Sig Ruman | ... |
Professor Winterhalter
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| Archie Moore | ... |
Mr. Jackson
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| Howard McNear | ... |
Mr. Cimoli
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| William Christopher | ... |
Interne
(as Bill Christopher)
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| Bartlett Robinson | ... |
Specialist #1
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Robert P. Lieb | ... |
Specialist #2
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| Martin Blaine | ... |
Specialist #3
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| Ben Wright | ... |
Specialist #4
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Dodie Heath | ... |
Nun
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| Herbie Faye | ... |
Maury - the Equipment Man
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| Billy Beck | ... |
Maury's Assistant
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| Judy Pace | ... |
Elvira
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| Helen Kleeb | ... |
The Lawyers' Receptionist
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| Lisa Linsky | ... |
Ginger Gingrich
(as Lisa Jill)
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John Todd Roberts | ... |
Jeffrey Gingrich
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| Keith Jackson | ... |
CBS Football Announcer
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Herbert Ellis | ... |
TV Director
(as Herb Ellis)
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Don Reed | ... |
Newscaster
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Louise Vienna Keene | ... |
Girl on TV
(as Louise Vienna)
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| Robert DoQui | ... |
Man in Bar
(as Bob Doqui)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| John Anderson | ... |
Abraham Lincoln (uncredited)
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Gary Bohn | ... |
Paramedic (uncredited)
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| Jim Brown | ... |
Running Back - Number 32 (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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Daniel Elam | ... |
Bar Patron (uncredited)
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Rudy Germane | ... |
Commuter (uncredited)
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Chester Jones | ... |
Cook (uncredited)
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Leroy Kelly | ... |
Running Back #44 (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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| Chuck Schodowski | ... |
Stadium Cameraman (uncredited)
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Jon Silo | ... |
Tailor (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Billy Wilder | ||
Written by
| Billy Wilder | ... | (written by) & |
| I.A.L. Diamond | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| I.A.L. Diamond | ... | associate producer |
| Doane Harrison | ... | associate producer |
| Billy Wilder | ... | producer |
Music by
| André Previn | ... | (as Andre Previn) |
Cinematography by
| Joseph LaShelle | ... | (as Joseph La Shelle) |
Editing by
| Daniel Mandell | ||
Casting By
| Lynn Stalmaster | ||
Art Direction by
| Robert Luthardt | ||
Set Decoration by
| Edward G. Boyle | ||
Makeup Department
| Loren Cosand | ... | makeup artist |
| Alice Monte | ... | hair stylist |
| Jack Petty | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Robert J. Schiffer | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Patrick J. Palmer | ... | unit manager |
| Allen K. Wood | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jack N. Reddish | ... | assistant director |
| Michael S. Glick | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
| Thomas L. Miller | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Frank Agnone | ... | property master |
| Richard Lawrence | ... | uncredited |
| Duncan A. Spencer | ... | scenic artist |
| Mentor Huebner | ... | production illustrator (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Wayne Fury | ... | sound editor |
| Robert Martin | ... | sound |
| Buddy Myers | ... | sound re-recordist |
| Terrance Emerson | ... | sound cable (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Sass Bedig | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Howard Curtis | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Roy Jenson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| John Moio | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Felix Barlow | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Elmer Faubion | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Robert Hoffman | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Bill Norton | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Al St. Hilaire | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Don Stott | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Charles Arrico | ... | wardrobe (as Chuck Arrico) |
| Paula Giokaris | ... | wardrobe |
Music Department
| Richard Carruth | ... | music editor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marshall J. Wolins | ... | script supervisor (as Marshall Wolins) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1966) (United States) (theatrical)
- Dear Film (1966) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1966) (Norway) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1966) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1966) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- C.B. Films S.A. (1967) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Les Artistes Associés (1967) (France) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1967) (Argentina) (theatrical) (as Artistas Unidos)
- United Artists (1967) (Japan) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1967) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1969) (United States) (tv)
- Magnetic Video (1981) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1994) (United States) (VHS) (pan/scan)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2008) (United States) (DVD) (Included in "The Billy Wilder Gift Set")
- TGG Direct (2013) (United States) (DVD)
- Twilight Time (2017) (World-wide) (Blu-ray)
- Koch Media (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Koch Media (2018) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Kino Lorber (2021) (United States) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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 grantss |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | SOME PEOPLE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $3,705,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $6,800,000, 01 Jan 1968 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Production was halted for weeks after Walter Matthau had a heart attack. He had slimmed from 190 to 160 pounds by the time filming was completed and wore a heavy black coat to conceal the weight loss. See more » |
| Goofs | When the "stop-action replay" of Harry's accident is shown, the camera is focused on Harry for a second or two before Boom Boom hits him. In reality, the camera would be following the action on the field and would not be focused on Harry, since the director and camera operator would not have known in advance that Boom Boom would hit Harry. Harry would not have come into view until after Boom Boom is knocked out of bounds. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Billy Wilder (1986). See more » |
| Soundtracks | You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The end credits concluded with a thank you message to the players and management of the Cleveland Browns, and the National Football League for their cooperation. See more » |
| Quotes |
Thompson:
[about Willie Gingrich]
This guy is so full of angles and gimmicks and twists; he starts to describe a doughnut and it comes out a pretzel. O'Brien: Nevertheless, l suggest we try the friendly approach. Thompson: Okay. But after you shake hands with him, l suggest you count your fingers. See more » |