The Fortune

An American crime comedy with elements of farce, "The Fortune" was directed by Mike Nichols in 1975 and set in the 1920s. The film follows two small-time con men — Oscar Sullivan (Jack Nicholson), a charming but not-too-bright hustler, and Nicky Willis (Warren Beatty), a suave and manipulative man married to a wealthy heiress, Freddie Bigard (Stockard Channing). Due to the Mann Act, which prohibited transporting women across state lines for "immoral purposes," Nicky convinces Oscar to marry Freddie in name only to bypass the law while they travel to California. The two men then concoct a scheme to kill Freddie and steal her inheritance. However, things don’t go as planned when Freddie proves to be far more cunning and resilient than either expected. As the plot unravels with comical twists and increasingly absurd scenarios, the story evolves into a parody of early 20th-century American ambition, romantic manipulation, and gender dynamics. Styled after 1920s comedies with slapstick and visual humor, the film critiques the lengths people go to for money and status. Though not as widely remembered as other works by Mike Nichols, "The Fortune" is notable for its quirky tone, retro aesthetic, and the on-screen chemistry between Nicholson and Beatty, as well as marking Stockard Channing’s film debut in a lively and unpredictable performance.