Scavenger Hunt (1979) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Parker's relatives agree to participate because the will stipulates they must complete the scavenger hunt to inherit his $200 million fortune. The condition is non-negotiable, if they refuse or fail, they receive nothing. This massive financial incentive motivates even reluctant family members to engage in increasingly absurd and illegal activities to collect points and win the competition.

• inheritance
• will
• money
• motivation
• family

During the reading of the will, attorney Charles Bernstein splits Milton Parker's estranged relatives into five teams. Each team receives a list of 100 items to find, with point values ranging from 5 to 100. The teams are formed from the family members present at the mansion, with no choice in teammates, the division appears to be arbitrary or pre-determined by Parker in his will.

• teams
• competition
• family
• will
• division

Stuart encounters the motorcycle gang while attempting to snag a fox tail from one of their bikes. The scavenger hunt list includes items with varying point values, and the fox tail is a high-value item worth significant points. Stuart's desperation to win leads him to approach the dangerous gang, resulting in trouble when he crosses paths with their leader Scum.

• motorcycle gang
• fox tail
• scum
• stuart
• points

Dummittz repeatedly gets run over while trying to recreate an insurance scam he once witnessed. He believes he can profit from the accident the same way the original scammers did. Each attempt fails hilariously as cars actually hit him, resulting in comedic damage rather than financial gain. This absurd quest for a Rolls-Royce grill demonstrates the film's chaotic and illogical humor.

• dummittz
• insurance scam
• running over
• rolls royce
• grill

Sam, a security guard at a bridal shop, catches Dummittz attempting to steal a wedding gown. Rather than turning him in, the two form an unexpected partnership and conspire to steal a suit of armor from a museum together. Dummittz disguises as a mummy while Sam dons knightly armor, showing how the competition turns enemies into unlikely allies.

• sam
• dummittz
• bridal shop
• armor
• team up
• museum

All teams converge at the San Diego Zoo because the ostrich becomes a highly coveted item on their scavenger hunt lists. Each team wants to claim the valuable bird for maximum points. This leads to a coordinated (though chaotic) heist where multiple teams attempt to steal the same ostrich, creating pandemonium and a high-speed car chase back to the mansion with the stolen bird.

• san diego zoo
• ostrich
• convergence
• heist
• car chase

The remaining teams unite against Mildred, Stuart, and Georgie because this trio has been playing unfairly and attempting to cheat their way to victory. The teams set aside their competition to help Kenny, Jeff, and Lisa win the scavenger hunt, viewing the outcome as a matter of justice rather than just points. This collaboration represents the film's theme of teamwork triumphing over selfishness.

• mildred
• stuart
• georgie
• unite
• teamwork
• competition
• fair play

Kenny, Jeff, and Lisa win when Sam, still inside the suit of armor, revives from being knocked out and slides into the winning pen with just moments remaining. Their victory is a combination of teamwork (with Sam's last-second contribution) and the united support from other teams who helped them during the final showdown against their rivals. They ultimately choose to share their fortune with the community.

Foreshadowing: The teams earlier united to help this trio succeed, setting up their eventual victory.

• kenny
• jeff
• lisa
• victory
• sam
• fortune
• community

Mildred, Stuart, and Georgie are being chased because they stole a Native American's false teeth during the scavenger hunt. The dentures were one of the items on their list, and their theft enrages the owner, who pursues them in the closing scene. This ironic resolution punishes their selfish and underhanded tactics throughout the competition.

Foreshadowing: The summary mentions the theft of a Native American's false teeth as one of the team's early heists.

• native american
• chase
• teeth
• dentures
• mildred
• stuart
• georgie

Motley attempts to steal a medicine ball and other unusual items like a beehive, life preserver, and parachute to impress his children. His motivation stems from wanting to be seen as a heroic, successful father. His attempts to earn gym instructor Lars's favor fail hilariously, culminating in him tumbling through a second-story window in his bumbling enthusiasm.

• motley
• medicine ball
• gym
• lars
• impress children

Arvilla is described as a self-defense enthusiast who owns a bulletproof vest. This explains why Kenny, Jeff, and Lisa need to steal it from her as part of their scavenger hunt items, the vest represents a high-value, unusual item that requires risky extraction from someone genuinely prepared to defend herself.

• arvilla
• bulletproof vest
• self defense
• kenny
• jeff
• lisa

The 5 p.m. deadline is the hard cutoff for completing the scavenger hunt. All items must be collected and deposited into the designated pens before this time. Teams must race against the clock throughout the day, creating urgency and forcing increasingly reckless decisions as the deadline approaches. The final moments of the film hinge on this countdown.

• deadline
• 5 pm
• timer
• race
• competition