Product Details

• Actors: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich, Judi West, Cliff Osmond
• Directors: Billy Wilder
• Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
• Producers: Billy Wilder, Doane Harrison, I.A.L. Diamond
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: August 12, 1997
• Run Time: 125 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304508441
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,111 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Billy Wilder's insurance-scam comedy, written with partner I.A.L. Diamond, is one of the legendary filmmaker's surlier efforts. Were it not for the star-making performance of Walter Matthau (which won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), it might not have registered so strongly with audiences. Shot in a grimy black and white, the story begins as CBS cameraman Harry Hinkle (Jack Lemmon) is injured on the sidelines of a football game when Cleveland Browns star Boom Boom Jackson (Ron Rich) accidentally barrels into him. Hinkle's all right, but his ambulance-chasing brother-in-law William Gingrich (Matthau), also known as "Whiplash Willie," has a lawsuit filed before Hinkle even wakes up at the hospital. Hinkle is reluctant to join in on the scheme, which involves staying in a wheelchair, until he realizes it may bring his ex-wife (Judi West) back, even though her eyes practically flash dollar signs at the thought of his case's settlement potential. Working on Hinkle's conscience, however, is a burgeoning friendship with Jackson, who feels horrible about the incident. Not as sure-footed or as brazenly funny as many other Wilder efforts, the film nevertheless boasts a comic turn by Matthau that is deliciously conniving and endlessly inventive. Wilder, Hollywood's most caustically funny blend of pessimist and optimist, doesn't even aim for balance here. He clearly loves Matthau's character above all others and lets him run the show. The Lemmon and Matthau franchise began here and would go on to include their reteaming for Wilder's films The Front Page and Buddy Buddy. --Robert Abele

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Four stars for content, but........, April 15, 2002

By 

Marc T. Smith (Dayton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fortune Cookie (DVD)

"The Fortune Cookie" has long been one of my favorite Billy Wilder movies, and I was pleased to see it's release on DVD, especially in the original widescreen format. While the movie and performances are great (especially Walter Matthau in his Oscar-winning turn), and the script by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond hits the target, I was very disappointed in the lackluster transfer to disc that this unqualified classic received. Sure, the letterboxing is great, but halfway through the film, the sound quality takes a turn for the worse - less audible, and almost scratchy at times. Plus, the only "extra" is the original trailer, and there is no additional booklet. Surely a genius like Wilder deserves better preservation than this!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful CYNICAL comedy, January 19, 2000

By 

Richard (Laguna Niguel, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortune Cookie [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Jack Lemmon is a TV camerman. During a pro-football telecast, he is hit along the sidelines by an out-of-bounds player and immediately taken to the hospital with possible injuries. Enter his crooked lawyer brother-in-law, Willy Gingrich (Walter Mathau). This lawyer convinces Lemmon to fake a back injury in order to collect BIG bucks from the insurance company. The movie title refers to a message in a fortune cookie (You can fool all the people some of the time......).

Although not at the level of "Some Like It Hot", this is one of Billy Wilder's best comedies. His view of humanity is certainly cynical and bleak, but not nihilistic. The best performance is by Mathau who plays Willy to the hilt. He's wonderful and deserved his Oscar. The music by Andre Previn is also very good and very sly. You won't be disappointed. Bring on the DVD!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An under-appreciated little gem, March 17, 2006

By 

B. Tarver (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fortune Cookie (DVD)

I first saw this film on television when I was a kid way back in the 70's, and immediately fell in love with it, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. It is not a laugh riot, but a cleverly written little film with witty references, tongue-in-cheek throw away lines and fine, subtle performances.

Equally under-appreciated is Andre Previn's haunting musical score. I wish THAT were available as a CD somewhere. A stirring use of strings.