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Scavenger Hunt (1979) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Scavenger Hunt (1979) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1979 · 116 min · English
JustWatch #15,304 13
Directed by
Michael Schultz
Starring
Cloris Leachman, Robert Morley, Scatman Crothers, Cleavon Little, Richard Mulligan, Roddy McDowall

A group of high school seniors accidentally awaken a dark legacy, attracting the attention of a serial killer who plans to finish his deadly work. Now, these innocent teens must try to survive a terrifying and darkly comedic game of cat and mouse, facing danger at every turn as they fight to uncover the truth and escape his grasp.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (7)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Scavenger Hunt
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Scavenger Hunt (1979)

Where can you watch Scavenger Hunt? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kino Film Collection, Hoopla and Plex: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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7 main characters · contains spoilers

Scavenger Hunt Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Scavenger Hunt (1979), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Milton Parker

    Milton Parker is the eccentric game inventor whose death sparks the chaotic scavenger hunt. His will reveals the bizarre stipulation that forces his greedy relatives to compete for his fortune, setting off a series of comedic escapades.

    • 🧩 Game Inventor
    • 🏦 Wealthy

  • Charles Bernstein

    played by Robert Morley

    Charles Bernstein, serving as the lawyer for the late Milton Parker, is the one who reveals the scavenger hunt to the family. His role highlights the absurdity of the situation, as he observes the family’s frenzied attempts to secure the inheritance.

    • ⚖️ Lawyer
    • 📜 Executor

  • Mildred

    Mildred is one of the competing relatives, known for her cunning and devious tactics as she attempts to outsmart the other teams. Her relentless pursuit of the inheritance leads to outrageous schemes and funny moments.

    • 👩‍👧 Manipulative
    • 💼 Greedy

  • Kenny

    Kenny is one of the key team members who plays a significant role in the scavenger hunt. His determination and resourcefulness drive the comedy as he navigates through the chaos to secure victory for his team.

    • 🤪 Adventurer
    • 🏆 Competitor

  • Sam

    Sam is the security guard who inadvertently partners with Dummittz during the chaotic hunt. His character adds a layer of humor as he becomes entangled in the absurdities of the scavenger hunt and shows unexpected camaraderie.

    • 👮‍♂️ Security Guard
    • 🥋 Protector

  • Dummittz

    Dummittz is another contestant who stumbles through the scavenger hunt with a comical quest for a Rolls-Royce grill. His antics and mishaps provide plenty of laughs as he finds himself in increasingly ridiculous situations.

    • 💼 Clumsy
    • 🚗 Dreamer

  • Arvilla

    played by Ruth Gordon

    Arvilla is a self-defense enthusiast who supplies a comic twist by providing a bulletproof vest to one of the team's members. Her quirky involvement reflects the film's light-hearted approach to the competition.

    • 🥋 Self-Defense
    • 💪 Strong

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:22

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Setting

Where and When Does Scavenger Hunt Take Place?

The setting of Scavenger Hunt (1979): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting the carefree and adventurous spirit of its characters. This timeless atmosphere allows for a humorous exploration of greed, teamwork, and unexpected camaraderie.

Location

Parker Mansion, San Diego Zoo

The Parker Mansion is a sprawling estate where the scavenger hunt takes place, known for its opulence and mysterious aura. It becomes the backdrop for a comical competition among estranged relatives. The San Diego Zoo serves as a wild location where the teams orchestrate a daring heist, showcasing the absurd lengths they will go to for a chance at inheritance.

  • 🏰 Mansion
  • 🦙 Zoo

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:22

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3 major themes

Scavenger Hunt Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Scavenger Hunt (1979) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Greed

    The central theme of the movie revolves around the greed of Milton Parker's relatives as they compete for his vast fortune. This hunger for wealth drives them to engage in incredibly absurd and hilarious antics throughout the scavenger hunt, showcasing both the lengths people will go to and the often comical nature of their schemes.

  • Adventure

    Adventure takes center stage as the relatives embark on a wild scavenger hunt filled with zany challenges and outrageous tasks. Each team's quest to gather bizarre items leads to unexpected escapades, allowing for a blend of action and comedy that keeps the audience entertained.

  • Teamwork

    Despite their initial selfish intentions, the characters find themselves needing to cooperate with one another as the competition heats up. Ultimately, the theme of teamwork emerges as the remaining teams join forces to outsmart their rivals, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of a common challenge.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:22

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Character & theme questions

Scavenger Hunt Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Scavenger Hunt (1979): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What is the Parker Mansion in the movie?

The Parker Mansion is the sprawling estate where the scavenger hunt takes place. It serves as the opulent and mysterious backdrop for the competition among Milton Parker's estranged relatives. The mansion's grandeur emphasizes the stakes of the inheritance and adds to the film's whimsical tone.

  • parker mansion
  • estate
  • setting
  • location
  • mansion
Q2

What role does the San Diego Zoo play in the story?

The San Diego Zoo serves as one of the wild locations where teams must complete daring heists during the scavenger hunt. It showcases the absurd lengths the relatives will go to for a chance at the inheritance, adding to the comedy and adventure elements of the film.

  • san diego zoo
  • zoo
  • heist location
  • scavenger hunt locations
Q3

When is Scavenger Hunt set?

The film takes place in a contemporary setting, reflecting the carefree and adventurous spirit of its characters. This timeless atmosphere allows for a humorous exploration of greed, teamwork, and unexpected camaraderie without being tied to a specific era.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • setting
  • era
Q4

What role does greed play in Scavenger Hunt?

Greed is the central theme driving the movie, as Milton Parker's relatives compete for his vast fortune. This hunger for wealth leads them to engage in absurd and hilarious antics throughout the scavenger hunt, showcasing both the lengths people will go to and the comical nature of their schemes.

  • greed
  • inheritance
  • fortune
  • theme
  • relatives
Q5

How does teamwork emerge as a theme in the film?

Despite their initial selfish intentions, the characters must cooperate as the competition intensifies. The theme of teamwork develops when remaining teams join forces to outsmart their rivals, emphasizing the importance of unity against a common challenge.

  • teamwork
  • cooperation
  • unity
  • theme
  • relatives
Q6

Who is Milton Parker?

Milton Parker is the eccentric game inventor whose death sparks the chaotic scavenger hunt. His will reveals the bizarre stipulation that forces his greedy relatives to compete for his fortune, setting off the film's series of comedic escapades.

  • milton parker
  • inventor
  • deceased
  • will
  • fortune
Q7

What is Charles Bernstein's role in the movie?

Charles Bernstein serves as the lawyer for the late Milton Parker and is the one who reveals the scavenger hunt to the family. His role highlights the absurdity of the situation as he observes the family's frenzied attempts to secure the inheritance.

  • charles bernstein
  • lawyer
  • executor
  • will reading
Q8

Who is Arvilla in Scavenger Hunt?

Arvilla is a self-defense enthusiast who provides a comic twist by supplying a bulletproof vest to one of the team's members. Her quirky involvement reflects the film's light-hearted approach to the competition and adds to its whimsical tone.

  • arvilla
  • self-defense
  • bulletproof vest
  • contestant

Movie threads

More Movies Like Scavenger Hunt, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Scavenger Hunt tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic Competition Movies like Scavenger Hunt

Outlandish contests of skill and luck where the journey is pure slapstick chaos. If you liked the zany antics of Scavenger Hunt, explore more movies about wild competitions and chaotic team races. These films feature slapstick humor, a fast pace, and a lighthearted tone, perfect for fans of uproarious, high-energy comedies.

  • slapstick
  • chaotic
  • uproarious
  • competitive
  • lighthearted
  • mischievous
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories center on an unconventional contest, often for a high-value prize, which forces a diverse cast of characters into a madcap series of events. The plot is driven by the competitors' desperate and creative attempts to outdo one another, leading to a cascade of humorous failures and narrow successes.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared foundation of a competitive framework that generates relentless, lighthearted chaos. They prioritize physical comedy and whimsical scenarios over deep character development, delivering a consistently fun and fast-paced experience.

Scavenger Hunt movie poster

Scavenger Hunt

1979
You Must Be Joking movie poster

You Must Be Joking

1965
Fierce Creatures movie poster

Fierce Creatures

1997
Fun2shh… Dudes in the 10th Century movie poster

Fun2shh… Dudes in the 10th Century

2003
Dirty Work movie poster

Dirty Work

1933
The Three Stooges movie poster

The Three Stooges

2012
The Twelve Chairs movie poster

The Twelve Chairs

1970
Bedlam in Paradise movie poster

Bedlam in Paradise

1955

Funny Inheritance Quest Movies like Scavenger Hunt

Absurd quests for a fortune, left by an eccentric relative with peculiar rules. Find more movies similar to Scavenger Hunt about eccentric wills and inheritance games. These lighthearted comedies feature characters on a whimsical treasure hunt, full of zany antics and a spirit of fun competition, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

  • whimsical
  • quest
  • inheritance
  • eccentric
  • lighthearted
  • teamwork
  • Tone: whimsical, mischievous
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative begins with the death of an unconventional figure whose will outlines an elaborate, often ridiculous, game to determine the inheritor. The heirs, driven by greed or curiosity, form alliances and rivalries as they navigate the bizarre challenges, learning lessons about themselves and each other along the way.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies through the specific plot device of an eccentric inheritance quest. They share a whimsical tone, a straightforward goal-oriented plot, and a light emotional weight, focusing on the fun of the puzzle and the characters' comical desperation rather than dark themes.

Scavenger Hunt movie poster

Scavenger Hunt

1979
You Must Be Joking movie poster

You Must Be Joking

1965
Rhubarb movie poster

Rhubarb

1951
Mousehunt movie poster

Mousehunt

1997
Escanaba in da Moonlight movie poster

Escanaba in da Moonlight

2001
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler movie poster

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

1995
Waking Ned Devine movie poster

Waking Ned Devine

1998
Old Bones of the River movie poster

Old Bones of the River

1938

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Every angle

Scavenger Hunt (1979) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Scavenger Hunt in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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