In our series of "dumb, forgettable and tremendously entertaining 70's movies" we today proudly present "Scavenger Hunt"! It's an irresistibly silly flick with a rudimentary plot and predictable denouement, but the enthusiasm of the (tremendous) ensemble cast and incontrollable laughs caused by stupid jokes pretty much compensate for all its defaults. The script is a non-stop series of clichéd situations and stereotypical characters, but the beauty is that you expect everything to be like this! By today's standards "Scavenger Hunt" looks extremely dated, because it doesn't feature any vulgar humor or hi-tech devices, but the charming atmosphere will catapult you straight back to the 1970's. The cynical old millionaire Milton Parker (outstanding cameo of Vincent Price) found an inventive to divide his fortune between his greedy vultures of inheritors. All names mentioned in the testament, including direct relatives as well as servants and even a completely unrelated taxi driver, are put in small groups and send out on a giant scavenger hunt. The list includes the oddest items that can't be bought (public toilets, obese people, an ostrich
) and the winners are whichever group that collects the highest number of stuff by 5pm that same afternoon. Needless to say the game quickly turns into a hectic game full of cheating, fighting and public disturbance. "Scavenger Hunt" is a lot of fun and I'm nearly inclined to say that only a true sourpuss can sit through this movie without a single smile on his face. Heck, even the prominent cast members enjoyed themselves very much in their roles and clearly didn't care too much about the inferior artistic value. The cast list is impressive to say the least, with Scatman Crothers, Cloris Leachman, Roddy McDowell, Cleavon Little, Richard Mulligan, Dirk Benedict, Tony Randall and many others. There even are big names in small cameo roles, like the aforementioned Vincent Price as the sadist patriarch, Meat Loaf as a sleazy biker gang leader and governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as – surprise – a fitness teacher! Good fun, no more
no less!
45 Reviews
High enthusiasm
Delrvich4 September 2020
Funnier when I was a kid, but still kinda funny.
TOMASBBloodhound6 April 2009
I guess this is what is meant by the term "screwball" comedy. Scavenger Hunt has an odd assortment of family members and servants gathering up various items around San Diego for the chance at winning a $200 million inheritance. That would be great money today. Thirty years ago it would have been astronomical. The cast has more familiar faces and cameos than one could easily count. Successful people, soon to be successful people, washed up people, and flavor of the month types like Dirk Benedict and Willie Ames round out the impressive cast. The film has some interesting stunts and car chases, and makes good use of the filming locations. A good many of these cast members have since perished.
When watching this film, one thing is certain. The director was not interested in reigning in anyone's performance. Most of these actors over-act to the point of delirium. Richard Masur, for example, is lucky he ever got work again as the spoiled son of Cloris Leachman. But somehow he went on to serve two terms as the SAG president. Go figure. Perhaps it was his serious turn as a Slavic train station worker in Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate the following year that set him on a greater path.
Speaking of Cloris Leachman, we should all wish for even a fraction of her energy and longevity. Still as active as anyone in this cast at age 82, may she live on forever. She spends much of this film hiding under a black mourning veil, as she plays the sister of the millionaire who just died. All in all, there isn't a serious moment to be found here amongst the silly scenes and car chases. There are cameos by such an eclectic bunch as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pat McCormick, Vincent Price, Meat Loaf, and even the Doritos guy who plays a stressed out zoo keeper. Give the film a try if you can find it. It's worth about 6 of 10 stars. 7 if you add the Scatman Cruthers bonus star I like to award.
The Hound.
When watching this film, one thing is certain. The director was not interested in reigning in anyone's performance. Most of these actors over-act to the point of delirium. Richard Masur, for example, is lucky he ever got work again as the spoiled son of Cloris Leachman. But somehow he went on to serve two terms as the SAG president. Go figure. Perhaps it was his serious turn as a Slavic train station worker in Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate the following year that set him on a greater path.
Speaking of Cloris Leachman, we should all wish for even a fraction of her energy and longevity. Still as active as anyone in this cast at age 82, may she live on forever. She spends much of this film hiding under a black mourning veil, as she plays the sister of the millionaire who just died. All in all, there isn't a serious moment to be found here amongst the silly scenes and car chases. There are cameos by such an eclectic bunch as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pat McCormick, Vincent Price, Meat Loaf, and even the Doritos guy who plays a stressed out zoo keeper. Give the film a try if you can find it. It's worth about 6 of 10 stars. 7 if you add the Scatman Cruthers bonus star I like to award.
The Hound.
A "who's who" of 1970's t.v. icons having fun at it's best
rob_w_lowe28 June 2002
This is a fun, adventurous, witty movie that the gang will love. In tradition of the original "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and the "Cannonball Run" series, this is another fun movie where you see your favorite t.v. stars of the 70's in situations that you normally wouldn't see them in. It's great comedy and you don't have to worry about harsh language and the adult humor you would see in more recent movies of the same sort. It's a good summer movie for the whole family to watch on a Saturday afternoon. You'll be surprised at who you will see in the film.
Underrated
bigverybadtom14 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, this is a silly farce. So were "Animal House" and "The Blues Brothers", and they are considered classics. I liked this better; certainly it's more suited for the whole family.
The plot is simple: wealthy Milton Parker has died and his will specifies that his survivors (servants as well as relatives) must complete in a scavenger hunt to gather up various items, which must be taken and not purchased. The items are placed into various bins per group of competitors, and the items are awarded points. Those who get the most points by the end of the time period wins the fortune while the others get nothing.
The rest of the movie consists of funny ways for the various groups to get the items and making it back to the home with them, along with one family who resorts to stealing from the others. Not high art, but good low art.
The plot is simple: wealthy Milton Parker has died and his will specifies that his survivors (servants as well as relatives) must complete in a scavenger hunt to gather up various items, which must be taken and not purchased. The items are placed into various bins per group of competitors, and the items are awarded points. Those who get the most points by the end of the time period wins the fortune while the others get nothing.
The rest of the movie consists of funny ways for the various groups to get the items and making it back to the home with them, along with one family who resorts to stealing from the others. Not high art, but good low art.
Unbelievably bad
Stu-4210 November 2002
I like a wide variety of movies and films definitely don't have to be new, slick or technically advanced for me to like them. In that spirit I went in to this thinking I might be in for a good time with all those great people in it that I've liked in so many other movies. Cleavon Little, James Coco, Cloris Leachman and especially Ruth Gordon figured to be very entertaining. Well, they weren't. Scene after scene of agonizingly bad acting, directing, script and whatever else you can name. Mr. Little or Mr. Mulligan who some seemed to have enjoyed did nothing for me here. Even the great Ms. Gordon who did her best couldn't escape from the horribly awkward feeling pervading this turkey. I kept waiting for the one memorable cameo that just never materialized. The closest that came was Arnold's early appearance as a trainer. It was actually stunning although not that amusing to see how long this crew could keep it up without just giving up. Unfortunately it went on for seemingly forever and the only break was that the rental copy I found had a 30 second patch where it blanked out. I am not kidding in the slightest when I say the static on the screen was a welcome change. I have seen movies more offensive, more unpleasant and more boring, but I don't think I've ever seen a movie that was as big a mess as this flop. So shockingly bad I gave it a 2 instead of a 1.
The title of this film says it all
SimonJack21 August 2019
There's no doubt what this film is about. "The Scavenger Hunt" tells one in the title what is going to fill the screen for nearly two hours. Once the principal players are introduced, in the reading of the millionaire's will, it's bedlam and mayhem as the prospective heirs tear out in teams to win the scavenger hunt.
The trouble with such a short, direct plot is that the continuum of racing about, antics and mishaps begins to wear thin way before the end of the film. The only way to keep one's interest is to provide variety in the escapades of snatching items, which the film does. But, even with that it doesn't have enough humor. The laughs are few and far between.
There isn't that much of a screenplay or script for the shenanigans here. Most of the cast do an adequate job. Richard Benjamin overplays Stuart Selsome to the point of his seeming hammy. On the other hand, Cloris Leachman as Mildred Carruthers is the best performance of the lot for her wild and wacky character.
It's an okay film if one doesn't have much else to do, provide you can catch it free on TV or streaming.
The trouble with such a short, direct plot is that the continuum of racing about, antics and mishaps begins to wear thin way before the end of the film. The only way to keep one's interest is to provide variety in the escapades of snatching items, which the film does. But, even with that it doesn't have enough humor. The laughs are few and far between.
There isn't that much of a screenplay or script for the shenanigans here. Most of the cast do an adequate job. Richard Benjamin overplays Stuart Selsome to the point of his seeming hammy. On the other hand, Cloris Leachman as Mildred Carruthers is the best performance of the lot for her wild and wacky character.
It's an okay film if one doesn't have much else to do, provide you can catch it free on TV or streaming.
So bad it's good.
mononkmike11 January 2020
It's not high art, but I love it.
Griffinkay14 November 2004
This is what I call one of my "guilty pleasure" movies. It's not a particularly well-made movie, and it is, admittedly, somewhat dated, but for some reason I never tire of watching it, and it still makes me laugh every time. I'm sure this makes me a geek (and some, I'm sure, will argue a geek with a poor sense of humor), but I think this film is hilarious. I've easily seen it 300+ times and have the whole thing memorized, and I still laugh at it. I love sophisticated comedy, old classics, art-house films, epics, and blockbusters as much as the next guy; but when I just need pure mindless entertainment or a good laugh, I pull out this film, and it always does the trick. Scavenger Hunt has a talented cast of famous names from the seventies, including Richard Benjamin, Richard Mulligan, Cloris Leachman, Tony Randall, Roddy McDowall, James Coco, Cleavon Little, Willie Aames, and Dirk Benedict plus cameos from such names as Vincent Price, Avery Schreiber, Scatman Crothers, Ruth Gordon, Liz Torres, Meat Loaf, and Arnold Schwartzenegger. Richard Mulligan, Avery Schreiber, and Stephanie Faracy play my favorite characters (actually I enjoy the whole servant team, which includes Faracy, McDowall, Little, and Coco). I remember seeing this movie as a kid, and I thought it was so funny (and maybe that's why I like it so much, because it reminds me of my innocent days of youth). I realize this flick isn't for everyone, but I find it humorous and entertaining, and it's clean. Some of the characters are overly broad, some of the humor is stupid, and some situations are simply unbelievable, but if you just go into this movie knowing that it's far-fetched comedy for comedy's sake and understand that it isn't taking itself seriously, you can still have a good time. I know I have.
Funny in a 70's way
mm-3916 May 2003
Funny in a 70's way. This film I enjoyed as a kid, but seeing some of it as and adult, the move was too much. I guess as a child I seen movies in a childish way, and as an adult opinions change. There still is a few funny moments,but this movie is dated in a 70's way. I give this one a 5 or 6 out of 10.
Perplexingly Awful
AnnPanders16 September 2013
This film is such a turkey. I hoped that with all the star power that SOMETHING good would have to come of it. I wasn't expecting high art, and I like gag-centered comedy, but I don't think I laughed even ONCE. It was one bad attempt at a joke or physical comedy after another. I did make it through to the end, but wish I didn't. I just couldn't believe how awful this was, since so many reviews here are so good. Funniest movie ever? God, that's depressing.
I'd stay away from this at all costs. Midnight Madness is infinitely funnier. This was just an awful experience. Leachman and Mulligan were barely 'decent' and almost got me to crack a slight hopeful smirk, but nope. The acting is totally overdone, and it seemed like every scene was one team after another screaming as loud as they could. I am not sure who would find this an enjoyable hour and a half. It was just awful. 1/10
I'd stay away from this at all costs. Midnight Madness is infinitely funnier. This was just an awful experience. Leachman and Mulligan were barely 'decent' and almost got me to crack a slight hopeful smirk, but nope. The acting is totally overdone, and it seemed like every scene was one team after another screaming as loud as they could. I am not sure who would find this an enjoyable hour and a half. It was just awful. 1/10
Hilarious movie and very underrated
TheLittleSongbird1 February 2013
While not one of my favourite movies of all time, Scavenger Hunt is one that I do consider very underrated. The ending is predictable sure and some people may find some parts too on the cruel side. But the backdrop is lovely and it does look good still. While the story has a premise done a lot before and since and may feel thin to some, I personally found it never dull. If I were to compare it to It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World(which I've seen a lot of people comparing it to), which I do like very much, Scavenger Hunt is a lot shorter and the pace brisker, so first-time viewers of both movies may find themselves less exhausted-feeling depending on their patience levels watching this. I do agree that Scavenger Hunt is hilarious, the dialogue is plentiful, endlessly quotable and often enough to split the sides though you may be in danger of missing things from laughing. It isn't just the dialogue though, Cloris Leachman in 3-inch heels, Georgie's nasal whining("They killed Buzzy"), the laughing gas scene, the four servants overflowing the lab with suds, Scatman Crothers with the wedding veil and Richard Mulligan's priceless facial expression, James Coco trying to rob the market and the toilet-stealing scene are enough to raise a number of laughs. The cast show great comic timing and have plenty of star power. I personally don't think this is a case of a great cast working against the script. And this is not just the main parts(James Coco, Richard Benjamin, Stephanie Faracy and Scatman Crothers stood out), but also the cameos especially from Arnold Schwarznegger and Vincent Price. All in all, a hilarious and underrated if not perfect or award-worthy movie. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Not bad at all
lagudafuad14 February 2013
After seeing the grand It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), I stepped into this movie skeptic, as it is more like It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, with just some tweaks here and there. Reviewers didn't help also, as from what I saw it (Scavengers Hunt) drops in the middle of good and awful. So I decided to see it for myself and I have to admit the plot is stupid and far fetch compared to that of It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, the acting is of a lower grade the directing could use some work, the screenplay is all topsy turvy, making me laugh all the way through as things just kept happening every second.
I enjoyed this movie, the producers went all the way to copy as much as they can from It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, the movie is also filled with a lot of cameo appearances, we even get to see one from Mr. Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger who was all young. The movie's whole idea is so bogus that you start to doubt from the start if this movie is going to be any good.
The plot is about a Milton Parker who was a multi-millionaire and holds an estate worth over 200 million dollars. A game lover himself, Parker upon his death had his relatives, domestic staff and a taxi driver gathered together for the reading of his will.
Which stipulates that a Scavenger Hunt will be held to determine the beneficiaries of his 200 million estates; each team has to get some particular items (without purchasing them) and each item on the list carried specific points, the winning team the team with the most points at the end of the hunt gets all his estate (200 million), the rest get nothing. The teams involved in the hunt were: 1. Parker's son in-law and his children 2. Parkers servants which were his cook, butler, driver and maid 3. A taxi Driver extremist (who was an extremist when it comes to stupidity and being brainless) 4. Parker's Sister Stella 5. Parker's nephews Kenny and Jeff Stevens
The sad thing though is I got to see this movie because someone was nice enough to convert the VHS version to digital for me, no DVD of this movie has been made (as of now) which is sad as this is one movie that I recommend any to see to get a good laugh, the movie is highly under rated, but it is good.
www.lagsreviews.com
I enjoyed this movie, the producers went all the way to copy as much as they can from It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, the movie is also filled with a lot of cameo appearances, we even get to see one from Mr. Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger who was all young. The movie's whole idea is so bogus that you start to doubt from the start if this movie is going to be any good.
The plot is about a Milton Parker who was a multi-millionaire and holds an estate worth over 200 million dollars. A game lover himself, Parker upon his death had his relatives, domestic staff and a taxi driver gathered together for the reading of his will.
Which stipulates that a Scavenger Hunt will be held to determine the beneficiaries of his 200 million estates; each team has to get some particular items (without purchasing them) and each item on the list carried specific points, the winning team the team with the most points at the end of the hunt gets all his estate (200 million), the rest get nothing. The teams involved in the hunt were: 1. Parker's son in-law and his children 2. Parkers servants which were his cook, butler, driver and maid 3. A taxi Driver extremist (who was an extremist when it comes to stupidity and being brainless) 4. Parker's Sister Stella 5. Parker's nephews Kenny and Jeff Stevens
The sad thing though is I got to see this movie because someone was nice enough to convert the VHS version to digital for me, no DVD of this movie has been made (as of now) which is sad as this is one movie that I recommend any to see to get a good laugh, the movie is highly under rated, but it is good.
www.lagsreviews.com
As dumb as it gets....
Mister-623 August 1999
I nearly cried.
To see actual, real actors like Vincent Price, Robert Morley, Roddy McDowell, Richard Benjamin, Cloris Leachman, Cleavon Little, James Coco and Tony Randall trudge about in a movie where the big highlight is seeing them nearly kill one another to scavenge all manner of inexplicable items for an inheritance, well.... It's all too sad to comment on.
Actually, the best thing about the movie is the scenes in which Richard Mulligan mugs his way into getting a wedding dress, a car bumper, etc. He is the whole movie himself.
Too bad they had to involve everyone else.
One star. For Richard Mulligan.
Maybe they should edit out everyone else and just rename this "Empty Nest: The Movie". It might just break even.
To see actual, real actors like Vincent Price, Robert Morley, Roddy McDowell, Richard Benjamin, Cloris Leachman, Cleavon Little, James Coco and Tony Randall trudge about in a movie where the big highlight is seeing them nearly kill one another to scavenge all manner of inexplicable items for an inheritance, well.... It's all too sad to comment on.
Actually, the best thing about the movie is the scenes in which Richard Mulligan mugs his way into getting a wedding dress, a car bumper, etc. He is the whole movie himself.
Too bad they had to involve everyone else.
One star. For Richard Mulligan.
Maybe they should edit out everyone else and just rename this "Empty Nest: The Movie". It might just break even.
Enjoyable after all these years...
shanakin5 December 2004
I had not seen this movie in over 10 years and I finally ran across it at a video store and decided to rent it on the hopes that I would still enjoy it. I saw this originally on a Saturday morning when I was still young in the early eighties and found it highly enjoyable. Still to this day I still love it. I know it's not comic genius, the characters are paper thin it is totally unbelievable in parts but if your ever in the mood for a simple movie that has some good laughs this is the one for you. This is probably one of my favorite guilty pleasures movies. It certainly not for everyones taste, but for me it's great. I hope that anyone who happens to catch it enjoys it as much. I hope it's released on DVD someday because I will certainly pick it up. On a side note this movie always puts me in a good mood.
Great Comdey
delprestondelpreston3 November 2005
Thank God for HBO playing this movie over and over in their infancy. My brother and I saw this hundreds of times, memorized most every line, and wore out the VHS tape we had of it. It's one that just grows on you. At first, yes, it's admittedly horrendous. Though throw that stuff aside and it comes out as a great comedy with slap-stick characters in goofball situations. Come on Meat Loaf as Scum and Governator as the gym instructor. But Stuart Selsome, what typifies the 70s better than his character.
Great for quotable one liners, and very few people that actually know of or remember this movie. Makes for great coversation.
Great for quotable one liners, and very few people that actually know of or remember this movie. Makes for great coversation.
One big misfire!
jaybabb11 April 2000
When I saw this film when it first came out, people were walking out of the theater one by one. I stayed till the end though.
What could have been a great film turned out to be a disaster. This film misses the target. There are no excuses for this, considering the star power. The thing that ruined this film(besides a badly written script)is the amount of money involved. Vincent Price dies and his estate is worth 200 million dollars. His last will and testament specifies that the various members of the family and staff(And a cab driver as well)to compete in a scavenger hunt. 200 million? Even after the game is all over, you can split up the money and still be enough for every one!!
The low point in this film is the scene where Richard Benjamin steals a set of dentures from an indian. This is the worst scene in film history. The excuse is "It's just an item on the list" This is insulting.
Don't misunderstand me-I love comedy-but it should be out of respect for people and not be at someone else's expense. Stealing another man's dentures is not showing respect. And it is wrong!
I don't know what the producers had in mind when they made this film-but they wasted a lot of talent and money on this trash!
What could have been a great film turned out to be a disaster. This film misses the target. There are no excuses for this, considering the star power. The thing that ruined this film(besides a badly written script)is the amount of money involved. Vincent Price dies and his estate is worth 200 million dollars. His last will and testament specifies that the various members of the family and staff(And a cab driver as well)to compete in a scavenger hunt. 200 million? Even after the game is all over, you can split up the money and still be enough for every one!!
The low point in this film is the scene where Richard Benjamin steals a set of dentures from an indian. This is the worst scene in film history. The excuse is "It's just an item on the list" This is insulting.
Don't misunderstand me-I love comedy-but it should be out of respect for people and not be at someone else's expense. Stealing another man's dentures is not showing respect. And it is wrong!
I don't know what the producers had in mind when they made this film-but they wasted a lot of talent and money on this trash!
This is the type of family you want to loose, not find.
mark.waltz16 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Poor Vincent Price (or lucky if you consider that he's on and off screen in the first ten minutes) as the patriarch of a large and mostly greedy family whom he gets even with through his last will and testament where he organizes a test to decide legally which branch will inherit his estate. All the usual suspects of comedy, good and bad are there, and in spite of the many major names, not one of them is worthy of praise, just pity for finding anything remotely amusing in this script for one of the biggest fiasco comedies of the 1970's.
Such well respected actors like Richard Benjamin, Richard Mulligan, Cloris Leachman, Tony Randall, James Coco, Roddy McDowall and Robert Morley are among those who suffer through the bad material and cliched characters they are forced to play. Poor Avery Schrieber runs around like a lunatic whining over stolen ostriches. The bizarre things that they must steal just get worse and the efforts they go through to get them just give an indication of how low people will go. I've suffered through this several times over the years trying to find one truly funny thing, and the only benefit I found this third time was deciding to toss away the disc where no one can find it.
Such well respected actors like Richard Benjamin, Richard Mulligan, Cloris Leachman, Tony Randall, James Coco, Roddy McDowall and Robert Morley are among those who suffer through the bad material and cliched characters they are forced to play. Poor Avery Schrieber runs around like a lunatic whining over stolen ostriches. The bizarre things that they must steal just get worse and the efforts they go through to get them just give an indication of how low people will go. I've suffered through this several times over the years trying to find one truly funny thing, and the only benefit I found this third time was deciding to toss away the disc where no one can find it.
An Unsung Classic
scheisty69@yahoo.com7 October 2003
This movie has not been given the credit it deserves. An all star cast, well written script, and crazy situations makes this movie a classic, in my opinion.
If you enjoy movies like "Rat Race", "It's A Mad Mad Mad World", and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", you'll love Scavenger Hunt. It is very dated (1970s period) but it is definately worth watching. By the way...keep an eye out for several camios including a very young Meatloaf and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
If you enjoy movies like "Rat Race", "It's A Mad Mad Mad World", and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", you'll love Scavenger Hunt. It is very dated (1970s period) but it is definately worth watching. By the way...keep an eye out for several camios including a very young Meatloaf and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Huge cast
BandSAboutMovies25 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Milton Parker (Vincent Price) an eccentric game inventor - get it? - dies after losing a video game battle against with his nurse (Carol Wayne, a former Matinée Lady on Art Fern's Tea Time Movie on The Tonight Show; she came to a mysterious end when after an argument with companion Edward Durston during a vacation, she walked alone down the beach outside Las Hadas Resort in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. Her drowning in a shallow bay - with no drugs in her system - was ruled accidental).
Lawyer Charles Bernstein (Robert Morley) explains the will to Parker's greedy relatives and in keeping with his life's work, whatever team wins the scavenger hunt will inherit the $200 million estate.
The teams are:
Parker's widowed son-in-law Henry Motley (Tony Randall) and his kids Jennifer (Missy Francis, a former Fox News anchor who won a $15 million settlement in a pay dispute in 2022), Michelle (Julie Anne Haddock, who was in the first season of The Facts of Life and played the superpowered Amadonna in the Wonder Woman episode "The Girl from Ilandia"), Jason (David Hollander) and Scott (Shane Sinutko).
Parker's staff, which includes chef Henri (James Coco), his maid Babbette (Stephanie Faracy, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?), Jenkins the valet (Roddy McDowall) and Jackson the limo driver (Cleavon Little, Sheriff Bart from Blazing Saddles).
On his own taxi driver Marvin Dummitz (Richard Mulligan).
Parker's widowed sister Mildred Carruthers (Cloris Leachman), her son Georgie (Richard Masur, Nick Lobo from Rhoda) and their attorney Stuart Sellsome (Richard Benjamin).
Parker's nephews Kenny and Jeff Stevens (Willie Aames - who gets a song on the soundtrack, "You're the Only One That I Ever Needed" - and Dirk Benedict, for the ladies) and Mildred's step-daughter Lisa (Maureen Teefy, Grease 2, Supergirl and 1941, so no luck at all, huh? She's also in the strange Star Time).
Under the supervision of Bernstein and his scorekeeper Cornfeld (Hal Landon, Jr.), the teams are all given a list of clues to find a hundred items all worth 5 to 100 points. Nothing can be bought and all must be brought back to the estate by 5 p.m. That day.
The staff must steal a cash register from a convenience store, a microscope from a lab and a toilet from a 5 starhotel, while Mildred, Stuart and Georgie try to get a stuffed bear. Their adventure nearly ends when a biker named Scum (Meat Loaf) knocks out the lawyer. Kenny, Jeff and Lisa need to get a Jack in the Box head from a drive-thru (product placement, anyone?), as well as grab a large man named Duane (Not Necessarily the News' Stuart Pankin), as well as Ruth Gordon's bulletproof vest, a cop's uniform, some nitrous oxide and a football helmet. Dummitz lives up to his name, failing repeatedly to get anything before being joined by another perhaps even worse off person, Sam (Scatman Crothers), who puts on a suit of armor and promptly gets run over. As for Motley, he must find a beehive, a life preserver and a parachute, which he'll need when gym instructor Lars (Arnold Schwarzenegger) launches him out a window in the pursuit of a medicine ball.
Somehow, every team steals one of zookeeper Avery Schreiber's ostriches. By the way, an ostrich group, called a herd, numbers about 12 individuals.
I won't spoil the ending for you, but if you like big dumb 70s comedies - they had a thing back then about putting way too many people in their movies and I totally forgot to mention that Robert Morley (Theater of Blood), Stephen Furst (who is probably wondering if he's back in Midnight Madness, which might be the same movie; Disney felt similary and delayed the release of that movie because of this film), comedian Pat McCormick, Liz Torres, Henry Polic II, Marji Martin, Jerado Decordovier, Emory Bass and Byron Webster are in this - then you'll probably enjoy this.
Amazingly, this was all directed by Michael Schultz - which explains why perhaps Scatman Crothers gets the biggest part of the endgame and this makes me happy - a black filmmaker whose resume includes standouts like Cooley High, Krush Groove, Disorderlies, The Last Dragon, Car Wash and the movie that nearly ended his career and was followed up here, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The script was by John Thompson, producer Steven Vail and Gerry Woolery, who did the animated titles for Mannequin and Loverboy as well as the animation for one of Jim Carrey's first acting roles, the animation-themed and short-lived series The Duck Factory.
Lawyer Charles Bernstein (Robert Morley) explains the will to Parker's greedy relatives and in keeping with his life's work, whatever team wins the scavenger hunt will inherit the $200 million estate.
The teams are:
Parker's widowed son-in-law Henry Motley (Tony Randall) and his kids Jennifer (Missy Francis, a former Fox News anchor who won a $15 million settlement in a pay dispute in 2022), Michelle (Julie Anne Haddock, who was in the first season of The Facts of Life and played the superpowered Amadonna in the Wonder Woman episode "The Girl from Ilandia"), Jason (David Hollander) and Scott (Shane Sinutko).
Parker's staff, which includes chef Henri (James Coco), his maid Babbette (Stephanie Faracy, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?), Jenkins the valet (Roddy McDowall) and Jackson the limo driver (Cleavon Little, Sheriff Bart from Blazing Saddles).
On his own taxi driver Marvin Dummitz (Richard Mulligan).
Parker's widowed sister Mildred Carruthers (Cloris Leachman), her son Georgie (Richard Masur, Nick Lobo from Rhoda) and their attorney Stuart Sellsome (Richard Benjamin).
Parker's nephews Kenny and Jeff Stevens (Willie Aames - who gets a song on the soundtrack, "You're the Only One That I Ever Needed" - and Dirk Benedict, for the ladies) and Mildred's step-daughter Lisa (Maureen Teefy, Grease 2, Supergirl and 1941, so no luck at all, huh? She's also in the strange Star Time).
Under the supervision of Bernstein and his scorekeeper Cornfeld (Hal Landon, Jr.), the teams are all given a list of clues to find a hundred items all worth 5 to 100 points. Nothing can be bought and all must be brought back to the estate by 5 p.m. That day.
The staff must steal a cash register from a convenience store, a microscope from a lab and a toilet from a 5 starhotel, while Mildred, Stuart and Georgie try to get a stuffed bear. Their adventure nearly ends when a biker named Scum (Meat Loaf) knocks out the lawyer. Kenny, Jeff and Lisa need to get a Jack in the Box head from a drive-thru (product placement, anyone?), as well as grab a large man named Duane (Not Necessarily the News' Stuart Pankin), as well as Ruth Gordon's bulletproof vest, a cop's uniform, some nitrous oxide and a football helmet. Dummitz lives up to his name, failing repeatedly to get anything before being joined by another perhaps even worse off person, Sam (Scatman Crothers), who puts on a suit of armor and promptly gets run over. As for Motley, he must find a beehive, a life preserver and a parachute, which he'll need when gym instructor Lars (Arnold Schwarzenegger) launches him out a window in the pursuit of a medicine ball.
Somehow, every team steals one of zookeeper Avery Schreiber's ostriches. By the way, an ostrich group, called a herd, numbers about 12 individuals.
I won't spoil the ending for you, but if you like big dumb 70s comedies - they had a thing back then about putting way too many people in their movies and I totally forgot to mention that Robert Morley (Theater of Blood), Stephen Furst (who is probably wondering if he's back in Midnight Madness, which might be the same movie; Disney felt similary and delayed the release of that movie because of this film), comedian Pat McCormick, Liz Torres, Henry Polic II, Marji Martin, Jerado Decordovier, Emory Bass and Byron Webster are in this - then you'll probably enjoy this.
Amazingly, this was all directed by Michael Schultz - which explains why perhaps Scatman Crothers gets the biggest part of the endgame and this makes me happy - a black filmmaker whose resume includes standouts like Cooley High, Krush Groove, Disorderlies, The Last Dragon, Car Wash and the movie that nearly ended his career and was followed up here, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The script was by John Thompson, producer Steven Vail and Gerry Woolery, who did the animated titles for Mannequin and Loverboy as well as the animation for one of Jim Carrey's first acting roles, the animation-themed and short-lived series The Duck Factory.
A comedy Gem that is frequently over looked
ozthegreatat4233011 April 2007
A poor man's "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," This is a laugh riot of a film with many of the comedy stars of the 70s.
The Plot: Millionaire Milton Parker (Milton Bradley/ Parker Brothers) owner of a game manufacturing empire, expires, leave a sum of 200 million dollars to be awarded to the person or persons who can score the most points in a five hour scavenger hunt. The people to be included are his hated sister and her obnoxious son, her neglected step daughter; parker's inept son-in-law and his three kids. Two other cousins who are brothers, the family servants, and an idiotic taxi driver, who helped him keep his fortune by making his partner miss a vital business meeting. With various allies picked up along the way, the wacky crew spreads out seeking to follow the riddles to find the objects in question.
Starring Vincent Price, Robert Morley, Richard Benjamin, Cloris Leachman, Cleavon Little, Roddy McDowell and James Coco, among a cast of many more well known names (including a very young Arnold Schwartzenegger as the operator of a gym) The mayhem is soon at hand. Another star of the film is the city of San Diego, which is the background for much of the goings on. I can't say enough about how well this film holds up even after a score of viewings. Almost as much fun as taking part yourself.
The Plot: Millionaire Milton Parker (Milton Bradley/ Parker Brothers) owner of a game manufacturing empire, expires, leave a sum of 200 million dollars to be awarded to the person or persons who can score the most points in a five hour scavenger hunt. The people to be included are his hated sister and her obnoxious son, her neglected step daughter; parker's inept son-in-law and his three kids. Two other cousins who are brothers, the family servants, and an idiotic taxi driver, who helped him keep his fortune by making his partner miss a vital business meeting. With various allies picked up along the way, the wacky crew spreads out seeking to follow the riddles to find the objects in question.
Starring Vincent Price, Robert Morley, Richard Benjamin, Cloris Leachman, Cleavon Little, Roddy McDowell and James Coco, among a cast of many more well known names (including a very young Arnold Schwartzenegger as the operator of a gym) The mayhem is soon at hand. Another star of the film is the city of San Diego, which is the background for much of the goings on. I can't say enough about how well this film holds up even after a score of viewings. Almost as much fun as taking part yourself.
This film is quite well done and very funny
haruuj15 August 2004
I love "Scavenger Hunt." I saw it on HBO when I was a kid and have remembered lines and bits from it well into my adulthood. I had not seen the film for 20 years when I remembered it and rented the videotape. I was charmed again as I watched with my wife, and we both laughed at the wonderful gags. The climax is terrific. As all fans of this film probably know, this is an underrated classic and is available only on VHS, and even that is hard to find. This film is very clever, and not at all "cheesy." I can't understand why people think 'Spaceballs' or the disgusting Austin Powers movies are funny, but a film like 'Scavenger Hunt' surpasses those kind of films by being hilarious without resorting to the desperate potty humor so prevalent in so-called recent comedies.
Hilarious to the very end
bumlets15 July 1999
Okay, I don't know who it is that hates this movie, but it is one of my favorite movies of all time. I laughed as the funny characters gathered up kayaks, moose heads and ostriches. How could anyone hate this movie? If you liked this movie, you should also check out Midnight Madness!
Fond memories, still enjoyable
facebook-835-88996316 April 2019
A poor man's version of Mad Mad World, with a very rich cast. As a kid I loved this film, having seen it a dozen times or more when it was in frequent rotation on one movie channel or another. Funny, goofy, filled with cartoonish villains to boo at and silly good guys to cheer for. And then the film quietly disappeared. I was always surprised that it hadn't been released on DVD, always surprised it wasn't also in the collective memories of other people I met. Eventually I learned the movie had been panned in its day because the adults at the time found it tedious. All I can say is 'Scummy'.
So, put on your 10yrs old game face and enjoy.
So, put on your 10yrs old game face and enjoy.
If you're in the mood for zany, it's great
emlain28 January 2003
I recently watched Rat Race and was reminded of this older movie, Scavenger Hunt. Both are movies you have to be in the mood for; otherwise they're just too silly. I remember being thoroughly entertained by this great cast.
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