The Fortune Cookie (1966) 7.4
A crooked lawyer persuades his brother-in-law to feign a serious injury. Director:Billy Wilder |
|
0Share... |
The Fortune Cookie (1966) 7.4
A crooked lawyer persuades his brother-in-law to feign a serious injury. Director:Billy Wilder |
|
0Share... |
Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jack Lemmon | ... | ||
Walter Matthau | ... | ||
Ron Rich | ... | ||
Judi West | ... | ||
Cliff Osmond | ... |
Purkey
|
|
Lurene Tuttle | ... |
Mother Hinkle
|
|
Harry Holcombe | ... | ||
Les Tremayne | ... | ||
Lauren Gilbert | ... | ||
Marge Redmond | ... |
Charlotte Gingrich
|
|
Noam Pitlik | ... |
Max
|
|
Harry Davis | ... |
Dr. Krugman
|
|
Ann Shoemaker | ... |
Sister Veronica
|
|
Maryesther Denver | ... | ||
Ned Glass | ... |
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. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
One of these days I am going to watch a bad Billy Wilder movie...so far I have not even come close. Each year we observe the passing of great talents (this year, 2003 has seen an extrordinary number of death), I begin to realize we will never again see the likes of Lemmon and Matthau who passed away in 2000 and 1999 respectively. These two are great actors in comedic or serious roles. Matthau's sleazy lawyer is played just right, not too over the top and Lemmon plays the victim in this movie who is basically going along for the ride. As the movie progresses Lemmon gets further disenchanted with the pending cash settlement for his fake injuries and in his own inimitable way blows the whistle on his brother-in-law, Whiplash Willie (Matthau.) I found Wilder's use of Cliff Ormond and Noam Pitlik as the bumbling private eye surveillance team to be reminiscent of Jackie Gleason and Art Carney on the Honeymooners, or even a latter day type of slapstick in the style of Abbot and Costello. Also, the supporting role of Boom Boom the Cleveland Browns running back who accidentally injures Lemmon on the sideline at a game was played with depth. All in all another wonderful treat this movie is to watch.