‘Scavenger Hunt’ Is the Star-Studded, Absolutely Unhinged Ensemble Comedy You Didn’t Know You Were Missing

Picture this: you’ve just inherited $200 million...but you’re not the only one. You have to beat out 15 or so other would-be heirs in a wild goose (or should I say ostrich?) chase of a scavenger hunt and procure a laundry list of nearly impossible-to-obtain items in order to win the estate. What would you do to claim the fortune? That’s the scintillating premise of our latest addition, Scavenger Hunt, Michael Schulz’s (Which Way Is Up?, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Last Dragon) 1979 madcap comedy starring a massive ensemble cast, including Richard Benjamin, Ruth Gordon, Richard Mulligan, Tony Randall, Cloris Leachman, Meat Loaf, Vincent Price, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

After the death of eccentric game inventor Milton Parker, his relatives and staff gather for the reading of the will. But instead of a standard division of assets, Parker has devised one last game that’s as eccentric—if not absolutely unhinged—as he is. The potential heirs must partake in a 200-item scavenger hunt across San Diego in order to claim his $200 million estate. The group is divided into five teams and given five hours to decipher clues, secure the items, and win the highest number of points before time runs out. By the way, stealing is allowed, and therefore, chaos will ensue.  

What are some of the items they must procure, you ask? To name a few: a stuffed teddy bear, a wedding dress, a beehive, a giant clown head, laughing gas, a Rolls-Royce grille, and a live ostrich. 

Though we may be best known for international and arthouse cinema and festival favorites, we are just as passionate about curating overlooked studio titles, under-the-radar classics, and Hollywood deep cuts. Because an unforgettable film comes in all genres and flavors. If you love wacky ensemble comedies of the ‘70s and ‘80s, then you’ll absolutely revel in the pandemonium of Scavenger Hunt. Stream it now on Kino Film Collection.

Scavenger Hunt (1979)

It's a mad, mad mob of maniacs in a wild $200,000,000 winner-takes-all scavenger hunt! A nutty millionaire's will states: his fifteen heirs must participate in an unusual “Scavenger Hunt”, whoever finds all items first wins his estate! Cloris Leachman, Tony Randall, Vincent Price, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are among the zany characters racing through San Diego and Hollywood.

Are you a physical media collector? Be sure to check out Scavenger Hunt on Blu-ray and check out similar titles in our Kino Lorber Studio Classics collection, like Million Dollar Mystery, The Brink’s Job, and Sneakers.