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No Deposit, No Return (1976) movie poster

Timeline

No Deposit, No Return (1976) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1976 · 112 mins · English
Directed by
Norman Tokar
Starring
James Hong, Charles Martin Smith, Barbara Feldon, David Niven, Darren McGavin, John Williams

Two mischievous crooks find themselves tangled in a chaotic caper when two wealthy children plot to flee their grandfather’s watchful eye and reunite with their mother. The children’s scheme drags the hapless safe‑crackers into the escapade, leading to double trouble and comedic mishaps.

Comedy Family Crime Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like No Deposit, No Return
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch No Deposit, No Return (1976)

Where can you watch No Deposit, No Return? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

No Deposit, No Return Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of No Deposit, No Return (1976) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Vacation plan and split expectations

    Tracy and Jay discover Carolyn can't pick them up because she is in Hong Kong. They are to spend the vacation with their Los Angeles billionaire grandfather, J.W. Osborne. Osborne, wary of the children's habitual chaos, vows to keep things orderly and reduce trouble.

    When
    Start of Easter holidays
    Where
    Los Angeles (Osborne Estate)

  2. Lost pet complication and airport escape

    On the plane trip, Jay realizes he has mislaid his pet skunk, Duster, causing panic. At the airport, Osborne's loyal butler, Mr. Jamieson, fails to meet them, and the children escape in a taxi.

    When
    Day 1, after arrival
    Where
    Los Angeles International Airport

  3. Duke and Bert's apartment encounter

    At Duke and Bert's apartment, Duke initially tries to shake them off, but Tracy's convincing acting persuades him to invite them to stay the night. Osborne spots them leaving in the taxi and follows, yet decides there is no immediate danger and leaves them there.

    When
    Evening of Day 1
    Where
    Duke and Bert's apartment

  4. Ransom-note plan to follow Carolyn

    On Day 2, Tracy hatches a plan to follow Carolyn to Hong Kong. She funds the trip by mailing Osborne a fake ransom note demanding $100,000 by 4:00 pm that day.

    When
    Day 2 morning, deadline 4:00 pm
    Where
    Osborne residence

  5. Duke and Bert’s debt trouble

    Meanwhile, Duke and Bert receive a visit from Big Joe, a local gangster they owe money to, who gives them 72 hours to pay. They reluctantly go along with Tracy's plan but fail to secure any money, and Osborne already suspects the scam.

    When
    Day 2 afternoon
    Where
    Duke and Bert's apartment

  6. bogus kidnapping call and investigation

    Tracy makes a bogus kidnapping call that draws Sergeant Turner into the case. Carolyn returns to America, demanding an explanation for how her children disappeared.

    When
    Day 2 afternoon
    Where
    City police headquarters

  7. Dockside ransom exchange setup

    Negotiations lead to a dockside exchange arranged to trade money for the children. The police, however, are unaware that Osborne already knows where the kids are.

    When
    Evening of Day 2
    Where
    Docks

  8. Dockside chase and rescue reveal

    Duke realizes time is running out and a frantic car chase unfolds along the docks. Carolyn jumps into Duke and Bert's car and learns her children are not in immediate danger.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Dock area

  9. Police cruiser ends in the water

    The chase ends when Detective Longnecker drives the police cruiser off the dock and into the water. The scene erupts into chaos as everyone scrambles to escape.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Dock area

  10. Kids hide in Osborne’s safe

    Tracy and Jay return to Osborne's and hide in the safe when Osborne comes home. Jamieson locks the safe, trapping them inside and heightening the danger.

    When
    Shortly after the dock chase
    Where
    Osborne's estate, safe

  11. Search for the children uncovers Jamieson

    Duke, Bert, and Carolyn trace the children to the house and confront Jamieson, who claims the children are not inside. A sighting of Duster proves Carolyn's suspicions correct.

    When
    Immediate aftermath
    Where
    Osborne's estate

  12. Duke cracks the safe; police hesitation

    With the air running out and no safe combination, Duke uses his safe-cracking skills to open the safe and rescue the children. Sgt. Turner arrives and chooses not to arrest him after witnessing the rescue.

    When
    Final confrontation
    Where
    Osborne's estate, inside the safe

  13. Resolution and new beginnings

    Osborne pays off Duke and Bert's debts and reconciles with his grandchildren. Duke also starts his own garage, and the film ends with a hint of romance between Duke and Carolyn.

    When
    End of movie
    Where
    Osborne's estate; Duke's garage

Last updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:41

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Timeline questions answered

No Deposit, No Return Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of No Deposit, No Return (1976): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Tracy create a fake ransom note?

Tracy created the fake ransom note to raise money to fly to Hong Kong and reunite with her mother, Carolyn. Since their mother was in Hong Kong and couldn't be with them during Easter, Tracy devised the scheme to demand $100,000 from her grandfather, which she planned to use for the trip.

  • fake ransom note
  • tracy
  • osborne
  • hong kong
  • children scheme
Q2

How did Duke and Bert end up with the kids?

Duke and Bert were fleeing a botched airport safe-cracking job when they accidentally shared a taxi with Tracy and Jay, who had slipped away from their grandfather at the airport. After initially trying to shake them off, Tracy's charm convinced Duke to let them stay the night.

  • duke
  • bert
  • tracy
  • jay
  • airport
  • taxi
Q3

Why didn't Osborne stop the kids from running off?

Osborne spotted the children leaving with Duke and Bert in the taxi but chose not to intervene immediately because he determined there was no immediate danger. His cautious approach stemmed from past experiences with the children's chaotic behavior, and he preferred to monitor the situation before taking action.

  • osborne
  • jamieson
  • grandfather
  • children
  • watching
Q4

What was Duke and Bert's debt to Big Joe about?

Duke and Bert owed money to local gangster Big Joe Adamo, who gave them 72 hours to pay up. This debt pressure forced them to go along with Tracy's ransom scheme, as they desperately needed the money to avoid retaliation from Big Joe.

  • big joe
  • duke
  • bert
  • debt
  • gangster
  • 72 hours
Q5

Why didn't the police arrest Duke after he cracked the safe?

Sergeant Turner arrived at the estate after Duke had just used his safe-cracking skills to rescue Tracy and Jay, who were trapped inside with fading air. Witnessing Duke's heroic act of saving the children's lives, Turner chose not to arrest him on the spot, allowing the family to reconcile instead.

  • duke
  • turner
  • safe
  • rescue
  • arrest
  • police
Q6

How did Tracy and Jay get trapped in the safe?

After the dock chase, Tracy and Jay returned to their grandfather's estate and hid inside his safe when Osborne came home. Butler Jamieson locked the safe without knowing the children were inside, trapping them and creating a life-threatening situation that required Duke's safe-cracking expertise to resolve.

  • tracy
  • jay
  • safe
  • trapped
  • jamieson
  • osborne estate
Q7

Why did Tracy make a fake kidnapping call?

Tracy made the bogus kidnapping call to add credibility to her ransom scheme and draw police attention to Duke and Bert, making the fake abduction appear more legitimate. This backfired when Sergeant Turner began actively investigating the safe-cracking duo.

  • tracy
  • kidnapping call
  • police
  • turner
  • scheme
Q8

What happened to Detective Longnecker's cruiser during the chase?

During the dockside car chase, Detective Longnecker crashed the police cruiser off the dock and into the water. This chaotic moment inadvertently helped thwart the arrest while everyone scrambled to safety, adding to the film's comedic climax.

  • longnecker
  • cruiser
  • water
  • chase
  • docks
  • police
Q9

Why did Carolyn jump into the car during the chase?

Carolyn climbed into Duke and Bert's car during the chase because she was desperate to find her children and learned they were not in immediate danger. Her action demonstrated her maternal instinct and led to her being part of the chaotic pursuit.

  • carolyn
  • chase
  • mother
  • children
  • danger
Q10

How did Osborne afford to pay off Duke and Bert's debts?

As a Los Angeles billionaire, Osborne had the financial means to pay off Duke and Bert's debt to Big Joe Adamo. This generous act helped resolve the criminal subplot and marked the beginning of his reconciliation with the children.

  • osborne
  • debts
  • paid
  • billionaire
  • reconciliation
  • big joe
Q11

What happened to Jay's pet skunk Duster?

Jay discovered Duster was missing during the plane ride to Los Angeles, causing panic. The skunk was later found at Osborne's estate, which helped Carolyn realize her children were indeed at the house when she and Duke confronted Jamieson.

  • duster
  • skunk
  • jay
  • airport
  • found
  • osborne estate
Q12

Why did Duke and Bert's airport heist go wrong?

Duke and Bert attempted to crack an airport office safe, but Bert accidentally locked the safe instead of opening it. Their escape vehicle was also towed away during the job, leaving them stranded and forced to improvise their escape, which led to their encounter with the children.

  • airport
  • safe
  • cracking
  • duke
  • bert
  • heist
  • towed

Movie threads

More Movies Like No Deposit, No Return, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes No Deposit, No Return tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Mischievous Family Caper Movies like No Deposit, No Return

Lighthearted comedies where a clever ruse spirals into fast-paced, comedic trouble. If you enjoyed the chaotic fun of No Deposit, No Return, you'll love these movies. This list features similar family comedies where fake kidnappings, elaborate ruses, and hapless criminals collide in fast-paced, lighthearted adventures perfect for viewers seeking a feel-good, laugh-filled experience.

  • comedic
  • mischievous
  • chaotic
  • lighthearted
  • family-centered
  • hopeful
  • Tone: light, comedic, mischievous
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically begin with a deceptive plan meant to solve a personal problem, which quickly goes awry and draws in unsuspecting accomplices. The plot is driven by a series of escalating, comedic mishaps and close calls, often involving authorities or rival parties, before culminating in a reveal that leads to reconciliation and a happy ending.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared blend of family-centered stories, a light and mischievous tone, and a fast-paced structure fueled by comedic chaos rather than genuine danger. They offer a specific type of energetic, hopeful, and family-friendly comedy.

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No Deposit, No Return

1976
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Family Troubles

1943
Dadnapped movie poster

Dadnapped

2009
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Trapped in Paradise

1994
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2024
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1989
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2007
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1987

Comedic Crime Mix-Up Stories like No Deposit, No Return

Stories where bumbling criminals get caught up in absurd situations with heart. Fans of the bumbling criminals in No Deposit, No Return will enjoy these similar movies. This collection highlights comedies where hapless safecrackers, thieves, or con artists find themselves in over their heads, leading to non-threatening, humorous adventures and unlikely friendships.

  • bumbling criminals
  • absurd situations
  • comedic
  • lighthearted
  • redemption
  • unlikely partnerships
  • Tone: lighthearted, absurd, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows criminals who are in over their heads, often motivated by a petty debt or a simple goal. Their path crosses with innocent civilians, leading to a partnership born of necessity. The conflict is comedic, arising from their incompetence and the escalating misunderstandings, ultimately resolving in their moral redemption or a lucky break.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core premise of soft-hearted, incompetent criminals involved in low-stakes, humorous capers. The tone is consistently light, avoiding genuine menace, and the focus is on the comedic chemistry between the crooks and their accidental partners.

Once Upon a Crime... movie poster

Once Upon a Crime...

1992
Partners in Crime movie poster

Partners in Crime

2023
No Problem movie poster

No Problem

2010
Small Time Crooks movie poster

Small Time Crooks

2000
Ask a Policeman movie poster

Ask a Policeman

1939
See No Evil, Hear No Evil movie poster

See No Evil, Hear No Evil

1989
Hue and Cry movie poster

Hue and Cry

1947
Welcome movie poster

Welcome

2007

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Every angle

No Deposit, No Return (1976) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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