The 1 Aug 1965 NYT reported that filmmaker Billy Wilder was in the process of completing a new screenplay, titled The Fortune Cookie, with his longtime writing partner, I. A. L. Diamond. Actor Walter Matthau, currently starring in The Odd Couple on Broadway, had already accepted a supporting role, based on Wilder’s story outline. Matthau’s contract with the play allowed him to take a four-month hiatus for movie work and return when filming was completed. His replacement was Jack Klugman, as noted in the 20 Nov 1965 LAT. Principal photography was scheduled to begin 31 Oct 1965 at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Less than two weeks later, the 12 Aug 1965 LAT announced Jack Lemmon as Matthau’s co-star. The cast also included African American musician Ron Rich and sportscaster Keith Jackson, both making their screen debuts, and actor Roger Torrey, who, according to the 9 Jan 1966 LAT, did his only scene in a hospital bed with the back of his head facing the camera. The 23 Dec 1965 and 27 Jan 1966 LAT listed Toni Schaber, Tol Avery, Oscar Beregi, and Larry Mann among the cast. The Fortune Cookie marked the first cinematic teaming of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
       Wilder told the 7 Nov 1965 NYT that he took a sabbatical in Europe after being “stunned” by the failure of his latest film, Kiss Me, Stupid (1964, see entry). He returned to Los Angeles, CA, six months later to find himself ostracized by the entertainment industry. Undaunted, Wilder resumed his collaboration with Diamond, and they developed a story about a man given the opportunity to win a fortune and the love of a woman if he is willing to compromise his integrity. Noting that filmmakers are perpetually haunted by their failures, Wilder expressed his desire for The Fortune Cookie to be a good picture.
       On 27 Oct 1965, Var reported that Lemmon would accompany Wilder and his production crew to Cleveland for two weeks of shooting. Locations included Cleveland Stadium, a hospital, and several nightclubs along the Lake Erie waterfront. Cleveland Browns president Art Modell agreed to let Wilder stage a football game for the film, with approximately 250 background actors recruited by team staff member Tony Lolli. According to the 17 Nov and 1 Dec 1965 Var, background actors included Modell and “several local newspaper columnists and sports writers.” The 12 Dec 1965 LAT noted that members of the Cleveland Browns appeared as “dress extras,” with placekicker Lou Groza in a featured part.
       The 12 Jan 1966 LAT and NYT reported that Walter Matthau was hospitalized in Los Angeles, CA, with a case of hepatitis. Billy Wilder anticipated a quick recovery and no delays in filming. Seven weeks later, the 5 Mar 1966 NYT described Matthau’s ailment as “a mild heart attack,” from which the actor was still recovering.
       The 30 Jan 1966 LAT revealed that Keeley Morse of Diagnostic Laboratories was hired as a medical technical advisor. When Morse attempted to demonstrate an assortment of diagnostic equipment to Wilder, the director reportedly stated, “Forget that authentic stuff. Just show us some nice flashing lights.”
       The 3 Jun 1966 LAT noted that production was “recently completed.” Later that month 22 Jun 1966, Var announced that The Fortune Cookie would be available for private exhibitor screenings at the end of Jul 1966. An Oct 1966 release was expected, according to the 10 Aug 1966 Var. Distributor United Artists (UA) declined an invitation to premiere the picture at the New York Film Festival in Sep 1966. Although no explanation was reported, the 19 Oct 1966 Var deduced that UA preferred not to risk the picture’s reputation on the “volatile” New York City audience, and instead accepted an invitation from the San Francisco International Film Festival for a late Oct 1966 screening.
       A news item in the 12 Oct 1966 Var stated that UA and The Mirisch Company held a party in Billy Wilder’s honor at the CBS building in New York City, while the filmmaker was in town on a promotional tour. The picture opened 19 Oct 1966 in New York City, and 9 Nov 1966 in Los Angeles. While reviews were not consistently enthusiastic, critics praised both Matthau’s and Lemmon’s performances. In his 23 Nov 1966 LAT column, film writer Charles Champlin suggested that Matthau’s characterization was inspired by comedians W. C. Fields and Groucho Marx. The actor claimed to have simply played his character as written, and commended Jack Lemmon for allowing him most of the film’s humorous content. Matthau intended to return the favor by having Lemmon as his co-star in the film version of The Odd Couple (1968, see entry).
       The Fortune Cookie was nominated for four Academy Awards in the following categories: Writing (Story and Screenplay—written directly for the screen); Cinematography (Black-and-White); Art Direction (Black-and-White); Actor in a Supporting Role. Walter Matthau won in the latter category, in addition to a Golden Laurel Award and a Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) Award. The picture also received an award from the Southern California Motion Picture Council (SCMPC).