A very funny film, this morality tale is a deft mixture of cynicism, wit and idealism as only writer-director Wilder could do it. The only problem is that morality tales can get moralizing.
While working the sidelines during a Browns-Vikings game, cameraman Harry Hinkle (Lemmon) is flattened by Browns running back Luther "Boom Boom" Jackson (Rich) and rushed to the hospital. Although Harry is fine, his shyster brother-in-law, "Whiplash" Willie Gingrich (Matthau), convinces him to
fake an injury and sue the Browns, CBS and Municipal Stadium for $1 million. Pretending to be paralyzed from the neck down and relying on an old spinal injury for X-ray proof, Harry foo...
Released:
1966
Rated:
NR
Length:
125 mins