The Fortune Cookie

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!

NR 1966 · 125 min · ★ 7.2 · Comedy

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.

Directed by Billy Wilder · Written by Billy Wilder

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Rent or Buy

Cast

Jack Lemmon Harry Hinkle
Walter Matthau Willie Gingrich
Ron Rich Boom Boom Jackson
Judi West Sandy Hinkle
Cliff Osmond Purkey
Lurene Tuttle Mother Hinkle
Harry Holcombe O'Brien
Les Tremayne Thompson
Marge Redmond Charlotte Gingrich
Ann Shoemaker Sister Veronica
Ned Glass Doc Schindler
Archie Moore Mr. Jackson

Trailers & Videos

Make it a double feature

4h 11m together

The Fortune Cookie

The Apartment

Both from Billy Wilder.

More from Billy WilderSee all →

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard · 1950

Sunset Boulevard

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.

Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution · 1957

Witness for the Prosecution

MovieDramaMystery

An ailing barrister is thrust back into the courtroom in what becomes one of the most unusual and eventful murder cases of the lawyer's career when he finds himself defending a man being tried for the murder of a socialite.

The Apartment

The Apartment · 1960

MovieComedyDrama

Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he's left with a major problem to solve.

Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity · 1944

Double Indemnity

MovieCrimeThriller

An insurance representative is seduced by a dissatisfied housewife into a scheme of insurance fraud and murder that arouses the suspicion of his colleague, a claims investigator.

Some Like It Hot

Some Like It Hot · 1959

Some Like It Hot

MovieComedyRomance

In Prohibition-era Chicago, musicians Joe and Jerry witness a mob hit, and flee the state in an all-female band disguised as Josephine and Daphne, but further complications set in.

Ace in the Hole

Ace in the Hole · 1951

Ace in the Hole

An arrogant reporter exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to revitalize his career.

Stalag 17

Stalag 17 · 1953

MovieComedyDrama

After two American prisoners are killed by guards in the act of escaping from a German POW camp in World War II, barracks black marketeer J.J. Sefton is suspected of being an informer.

The Lost Weekend

The Lost Weekend · 1945

The Lost Weekend

Longtime alcoholic Don Birnam has been sober for ten days and appears to be over the worst... but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother and girlfriend, he begins a four-day bender that just might be his last – one way or another.

Ninotchka

Ninotchka · 1939

MovieComedyRomance

A stern Russian woman sent to Paris on official business finds herself attracted to a man who represents everything she is supposed to detest.

Sabrina

Sabrina · 1954

MovieComedyRomance

After two years in Paris, chauffeur's daughter Sabrina returns home elegantly transformed and immediately catches the attention of David, the playboy son of her father's rich employers. David woos and wins Sabrina, who has always been in love with him, however their romance is threatened by David's serious older brother Linus, who runs the family business and is relying on David to marry an heiress in order for a crucial merger to take place.

One, Two, Three

One, Two, Three · 1961

One, Two, Three

In Cold War-era West Berlin, American Coca-Cola executive C.R. 'Mac' MacNamara is tasked with playing babysitter to his boss' spoiled 17-year-old daughter Scarlett, who proves more difficult than anticipated when she reveals that she is pregnant by a Communist.

Irma la Douce

Irma la Douce · 1963

MovieRomanceComedy

When a recently fired policeman falls in love with a French prostitute, he doesn't want her to be with other men, so he creates an alter-ego in order to become her only customer.

The Front Page

The Front Page · 1974

Ruthless Chicago newspaper editor Walter Burns resorts to dubious motives in order to get top reporter Hildy Johnson to cover one more big crime story before retirement.

A Foreign Affair

A Foreign Affair · 1948

A Foreign Affair

MovieComedyDrama

In occupied Berlin, an army captain is torn between an ex-Nazi café singer and the US congresswoman investigating her.

The Bishop's Wife

The Bishop's Wife · 1947

The Bishop's Wife

MovieComedyFantasy

An Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham, has been working for months on the plans for an elaborate new cathedral which he hopes will be paid for primarily by a wealthy, stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Enter Dudley, an angel sent to help him. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves him, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family's affections, as Christmas approaches.

The Seven Year Itch

The Seven Year Itch · 1955

The Seven Year Itch

MovieComedyRomance

When his family goes away for summer vacation, a hitherto faithful publishing executive with an overactive imagination is tempted by an attractive new neighbor.

More Like This

Wilson

MovieComedyDrama

Middle-aged and divorced, Wilson finds himself lonely, smug, and obsessed with his past.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter