The Fortune Cookie

1966 · 2h05 · Film

Directed by Billy Wilder

Starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich, Judi West, Cliff Osmond, Lurene Tuttle, Harry Holcombe, Les Tremayne, Marge Redmond, Ann Shoemaker

Ideal when you feel… Sad / low Angry Bored

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.

Original language

English

Screenplay

Billy Wilder, I. A. L. Diamond

Music

André Previn

Cinematography

Joseph LaShelle

Cast

Judi West, Cliff Osmond, Lurene Tuttle, Harry Holcombe, Les Tremayne, Marge Redmond, Ann Shoemaker, Ned Glass, Archie Moore

Updated July 22, 2026

Trailer

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