Million Dollar Mystery

Million Dollar Mystery

Year: 1987

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Fleischer

ComedyThriller

Millions of cash are hidden nearby, prompting a motley group to go to any lengths to find it. In a roadside diner, a dying man reveals he’s stashed the money in four locations, but instead of giving directions he leaves cryptic clues that the patrons must solve to claim the loot. The film was released with a Glad‑Lock bag promotional tie‑in.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Million Dollar Mystery 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 – Million Dollar Mystery (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Million Dollar Mystery (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Arizona, El Puente

The story is anchored in a sun-drenched Arizona setting, beginning at a roadside diner where the plot kicks off. El Puente, with its famous bridge, provides the central treasure location and desert scenery that frames the chase. The journey moves through canyons and a houseboat motif, giving the caper a quirky, road-trip feel.

🌵 Desert setting 🍜 Roadside diner 🏗 Bridge town 🗺 Treasure-hunt backdrop

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:25

Main Characters – Million Dollar Mystery (1987)

Meet the key characters of Million Dollar Mystery (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sidney Preston

A disgruntled White House aide who bolts with four million dollars and sets the chase in motion. He suffers a fatal heart attack, yet his dying request for a kiss from the waitress Dotty gives the pursuit a personal hook. Before dying, he reveals the first clue and insists the money is buried in a place he calls 'the city of the bridge.'

💼 Disgruntled official 🗺 Catalyst 😂 Catalyst for chaos

Dotty

The waitress at the diner who becomes entangled in the ensuing scramble after Sidney’s death. Her presence links the initial spark of romance to the broader treasure-hunt, pulling her into the improvisational chaos of the crowd.

🍽 Diner figure 🧭 Puppet of chaos

Rollie

One half of the nerdy newlywed pair, Rollie is swept into the hunt after the news Broadcast reveals Sidney Preston’s fortune. His enthusiasm and optimism help energize the group, even as they stumble from clue to clue.

🎶 Entertainer 🧭 Participant

Lollie

Rollie’s partner in the newlywed duo, Lollie brings a mix of curiosity and determination to the search. She navigates the chaos with a practical spark, keeping pace with the ever-shifting plans.

💃 Partner in crime 🧭 Participant

Faith

One of Crush’s three blonde backup dancers who joins the pursuit, contributing to the ensemble’s dynamic and adding a layer of lighthearted competition to the chase.

🎤 Performer 🧭 Ensemble

Charity

One of Crush’s backup dancers, Charity rounds out the trio and participates in the escalating caper with a blend of charm and mischief.

🎀 Dancer 🧭 Ensemble

Bob

One of the two government spies pursuing the money; a key instigator in the chase who keeps the tension high with snappy schemes and quick wit.

🕵️ Spy 🧭 Antagonist

Slaughter Buzzárd

A deranged ranger whose unpredictable presence amplifies the danger and slapstick of the pursuit, adding a wild-card element to the caper.

🏕 Eccentric 🧭 Hazard

Officer Quinn

A cop caught in the swirl of the chase, partnering with Gretchen to corral the frantic group while navigating the chaos with dry humor.

🚓 Law enforcement 🧭 Pursuit

Officer Gretchen

Quinn’s fellow officer who adds to the procedural counterpoint of the film’s comedy, trying to keep order amid the mayhem.

🚓 Law enforcement 🧭 Pursuit

Stuart Briggs

Member of the Briggs family who becomes part of the crowd chasing clues, contributing a grounded, family-oriented perspective to the wild hunt.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family 🧭 Participant

Sledge's Secretary

A secretary figure tied to the caper’s orbit, appearing among the cast of quirky characters who influence, and are influenced by, the hunt.

🗂 Office 🧭 Supporting

Crush

An amateur singer whose fan club of backup dancers joins the road-trip-style search, amplifying the musical and comedic energy of the chase.

🎤 Performer 🧭 Ensemble

Tugger

A cook who, along with his sister Dotty, becomes swept up in the money hunt as the crowd theaters around him.

👨‍🍳 Cook 🧭 Participant

Bad Boris

A professional wrestler drawn into the chaotic pursuit, contributing physical humor and larger-than-life antics to the caper.

🏋️‍♂️ Wrestler 🧭 Puppet of chaos

Awful Abdul

Another wrestler in the frenzied chase, bringing theatrical flair and dangerous misdirection to the proceedings.

🤼‍♂️ Wrestler 🧭 Dynamic foil

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:25

Major Themes – Million Dollar Mystery (1987)

Explore the central themes of Million Dollar Mystery (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

Sidney Preston’s stolen fortune drives an unlikely mix of characters into a chaotic pursuit, exposing how greed warps priorities. The money’s lure pulls people from different backgrounds into a single misadventure, revealing both folly and resilience among the group. The film uses comedy to critique the lure of sudden wealth and the lengths people will go to obtain it.

🎭 Ensemble Comedy

A large, mismatched cast collides in a spiral of schemes and misunderstandings, creating constant comic tension. The humor emerges from earnest failures, running gags, and the ever-shifting chase trajectory. Together, the characters form a microcosm of society, bonded by chaos more than common goals.

🧭 Treasure Hunt

The plot unfolds as a playful puzzle of clues and misdirections that propel the group from one location to another. Each stop—diner, bridge, houseboat—feels like a new riddle to crack, turning the pursuit into a communal game rather than a simple theft. Money becomes a humorous prize, not a symbol of status.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:25

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Million Dollar Mystery

Don't stop at just watching — explore Million Dollar Mystery 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 Million Dollar Mystery is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Million Dollar Mystery Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Million Dollar Mystery, 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.

Million Dollar Mystery Summary

Million Dollar Mystery Timeline

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

Million Dollar Mystery Timeline

More About Million Dollar Mystery

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Million Dollar Mystery: 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 Million Dollar Mystery