The Hoax (2007) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Irving chose Hughes because he was known for extreme reclusiveness and was unlikely to contest any publication about himself. Hughes had not given an interview in years and was famously reclusive, making it seem unlikely he would publicly deny or challenge Irving's claim that he had commissioned an autobiography. Additionally, Irving assumed that if issues arose, he could point to Hughes's erratic behavior as reasons for confusion.

Foreshadowing: The movie opens with Irving being forced to vacate his hotel when Hughes orders everyone out, setting up Hughes as a powerful, unpredictable figure.

• clifford irving
• howard hughes
• autobiography scam
• recluse

Irving created forged handwritten notes claiming to be from Hughes by carefully studying samples of Hughes's handwriting he obtained during his research. He practiced mimicking Hughes's distinctive style and then created notes purporting to be from the billionaire. The experts were fooled because they had limited samples of Hughes's handwriting to compare against, and Irving's forgeries were sufficiently convincing when examined out of context.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Irving and Suskind illegally obtain a draft biography from a former Hughes aide, giving Irving access to Hughes's writing samples.

• handwriting forgery
• expert authentication
• clifford irving
• howard hughes

Irving received a box containing scandalous information about illegal dealings between Howard Hughes and President Richard Nixon. The materials suggested corrupt connections between the two figures. Irving interpreted this as a sign that Hughes supported his project and wanted the information included, so he integrated these sensitive details into his manuscript.

• mysterious box
• richard nixon
• hughes
• scandal
• manuscript

Hughes's extreme reclusiveness worked in Irving's favor. Rather than actively pursuing legal action to stop the book, Hughes chose to simply deny any involvement publicly when confronted. This was consistent with his decades-long pattern of avoiding publicity. When Hughes finally issued a public denial through a televised conference call, it was already too late, Irving had already collected significant payments and the scheme was underway.

Foreshadowing: The movie establishes early on that Hughes has not given an interview in years and lives in seclusion.

• howard hughes
• public denial
• book authenticity
• hoax

As the release date approached, Irving staged an elaborate fake meeting between the publishers and someone posing as Hughes. He orchestrated this phony meeting to convince McGraw-Hill that the autobiography was legitimate. Despite Hughes publicly denying any knowledge of the book, the publishers believed Irving's fabricated scenario and remained optimistic about the book's success.

• fake meeting
• publishers
• clifford irving
• deception

The movie suggests that Irving's book, which exposed alleged Hughes-Nixon connections, may have created political problems for President Nixon during a time when his administration was already facing scrutiny. A radio broadcast at the end hints at favorable legal rulings for Hughes, leading Irving to believe his book may have contributed to Nixon's mounting political troubles, though historians debate whether this connection was real or coincidental.

Foreshadowing: The mysterious box Irving received contained information about illegal dealings between Hughes and Nixon.

• watergate
• richard nixon
• political scandal
• hughes
• connection

After the hoax unraveled, Irving was arrested. He attempted to negotiate immunity for his wife Edith in exchange for his cooperation. Ultimately, Irving, Edith, and his researcher Richard Suskind all received relatively minor sentences for their roles in the fraud. The light sentences reflected the non-violent nature of the crime and the public's fascination with the story itself.

Foreshadowing: Irving's paranoia escalates dramatically in the final act as the truth begins to unravel.

• arrest
• sentence
• prison
• clifford irving
• legal consequences

Irving and his wife Edith plotted to deposit a check from Hughes into a Swiss bank account. They created a false identity called "Helga R. Hughes" and had the check made out to "H. R. Hughes," which they believed could be deposited under this forged identity. This scheme was designed to siphon money from the supposed autobiography deal, but it also added to the complexity of their fraud.

• swiss bank account
• helga hughes
• check
• edith irving
• fraud

Irving believed the mysterious box was sent by Hughes as a sign of approval and an endorsement of his work. Convinced that Hughes wanted this information exposed, Irving incorporated the sensitive material about Hughes and Nixon into his manuscript. He thought this would add credibility and sensationalism to the book, making it more marketable and seemingly more authentic.

Foreshadowing: Irving receives the mysterious box and interprets it as a message of support from Hughes.

• nixon information
• manuscript
• clifford irving
• hughes

Irving's affair with Nina van Pallandt created significant tension in his marriage to his artist wife Edith. Despite the strain, Irving continued to reassure Edith of his faithfulness while conducting research trips with Suskind. The guilt from his affair contributed to his growing paranoia as the hoax intensified, adding psychological pressure to an already stressful situation.

• affair
• nina van pallandt
• edith irving
• marriage
• infidelity