How to Frame a Figg

How to Frame a Figg

Year: 1971

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: English

Director: Alan Rafkin

ComedyFamily

Don Knotts plays Hollis Figg, the town’s dim‑witted bookkeeper, who is promoted to watch over a second‑hand computer the city officials bought to hide their financial fraud. Confident and oblivious, Figg accidentally uncovers their corrupt scheme, sparking nonstop, family‑friendly hilarity as he bumbles through City Hall.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen How to Frame a Figg yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – How to Frame a Figg (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of How to Frame a Figg (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1950s

The movie appears to be set in the 1950s, indicated by the technology, fashion, and social context. This period was marked by post-war prosperity, political intrigue, and the rise of modern technology like early computers, which play a central role in the plot.

Location

City Hall, Dalton City, cemetery, Rio de Janeiro

The movie mainly takes place in Dalton City, featuring prominent locations like City Hall where political schemes unfold. The cemetery scene adds a macabre element to the plot, involving exhumation. The climax and ending occur in Rio de Janeiro, an internationally renowned city famous for its beaches, carnival, and vibrant culture.

🏙️ Urban 🏞️ Cemetery 🌎 International

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Main Characters – How to Frame a Figg (1971)

Meet the key characters of How to Frame a Figg (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hollis Figg

Hollis Figg is a naive but honest accountant caught in a web of political corruption. His loyalty and earnest nature make him an unlikely hero, as he inadvertently uncovers evidence of widespread deceit. His resourcefulness shines through as he seeks to clear his name.

🧑‍💼 Innocent 🔍 Investigative 🤔 Naive

Ema Letha

Ema Letha is Figg’s devoted girlfriend, a pretty waitress caught in the chaos. She is earnest and supportive, often concerned about Figg’s safety while also navigating her own feelings about the unfolding conspiracy.

💃 Romantic 💖 Supportive 🗣️ Loyal

Mr. Spaulding

Old Charley Spaulding is the wealthy and influential figure who becomes a victim of the conspiracy. His sudden death and subsequent exhumation are central to the plot, symbolizing the corruption within local power structures.

💼 Wealthy ⚰️ Victim 🕵️‍♂️ Key plot point

Yvonne Craig's Secretary

The secretary is a manipulative character who uses her attractiveness to sway Figg into signing documents. She embodies themes of seduction and deception, complicating Figg’s quest for truth.

🧏‍♀️ Seductive 🧠 Manipulative 💄 Femme fatale

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Major Themes – How to Frame a Figg (1971)

Explore the central themes of How to Frame a Figg (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Corruption

The film explores political and financial corruption within the city government, highlighting how greed and dishonesty manipulate public institutions. The plot centers on uncovering and exposing these corrupt practices, emphasizing the importance of integrity in governance.

🎭 Deception

Deception runs throughout the story, from false convictions to disguises used by the protagonist to escape accusations. The movie underscores how appearances can be deceiving and the lengths individuals will go to conceal the truth.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective/Investigation

The narrative involves investigation and deduction as Figg uncovers the conspiracy. It showcases themes of trust, suspicion, and cunning in deciphering lies to reveal the truth behind the corruption and criminal activities.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:48

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with a Bumbling Hero like in How to Frame a Figg

An unlikely, clumsy hero accidentally stumbles upon a serious conspiracy.Find more movies like How to Frame a Figg where an endearingly clumsy protagonist accidentally uncovers a serious conspiracy. These family-friendly comedies blend lighthearted humor with satirical takes on corruption, perfect for viewers who enjoy stories of unlikely heroes triumphing through sheer accident.

bumblinglightheartedsatiricalearnestcomicalabsurdwhimsicalunderdog

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a well-meaning but socially awkward or oblivious character going about their daily life. Their innocent actions inadvertently expose a hidden plot, usually involving authority figures or a powerful institution. The conflict arises as the bumbling hero, often underestimated by the villains, continues to comically disrupt their plans without even realizing it, leading to a chaotic but ultimately triumphant resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared core dynamic: the humorous clash between a naive, clumsy protagonist and a serious, systemic problem. The appeal lies in the character's journey from being an unlikely suspect to an accidental savior, all while maintaining a light, family-friendly tone without genuine peril.

Small-Town Satire Comedies like How to Frame a Figg

Beneath a quaint, friendly surface lies a web of local corruption and hypocrisy.Discover movies similar to How to Frame a Figg that explore political corruption and satire in a small-town setting. If you liked the quirky characters and the theme of innocence exposing greed in a seemingly peaceful town, you'll enjoy these other comical takes on local secrets and hypocrisy.

satiricalquaintabsurdwhimsicalcozy mysteryhypocrisyearnestcomical

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a cozy, close-knit community where everyone knows everyone. A central character, often an outsider or a naive local, begins to notice cracks in the perfect facade. They discover that the town's leadership or prominent figures are involved in a clandestine scheme, such as embezzlement or fraud. The story unfolds as the truth is gradually revealed, satirizing the hypocrisy of maintaining public respectability while engaging in secret misdeeds.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared setting and thematic focus. They combine the cozy aesthetic of small-town life with the sharp, humorous critique of local corruption. The grouping captures a specific vibe where the stakes feel personal yet are treated with a light, comical touch rather than grim seriousness.

Unlock the Full Story of How to Frame a Figg

Don't stop at just watching — explore How to Frame a Figg in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what How to Frame a Figg is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

How to Frame a Figg Summary

Read a complete plot summary of How to Frame a Figg, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

How to Frame a Figg Summary

How to Frame a Figg Timeline

Track the full timeline of How to Frame a Figg with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

How to Frame a Figg Timeline

How to Frame a Figg Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of How to Frame a Figg that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

How to Frame a Figg Spoiler-Free Summary

More About How to Frame a Figg

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about How to Frame a Figg: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About How to Frame a Figg

Similar Movies to How to Frame a Figg

Discover movies like How to Frame a Figg that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.