1986
Investigative journalist Irwin M. Fletcher, known as Fletch, goes undercover to expose drug dealing on the beach, where he is approached by wealthy executive Alan Stanwyk, who offers him a large sum to murder him, claiming he is dying of cancer. Fletch investigates Stanwyk's claims and discovers that Stanwyk is not ill and is attempting to fake his own death to escape his first wife, Gail, and flee with his second wife, Velma, to Rio de Janeiro. Fletch uncovers a larger conspiracy involving Stanwyk, Chief Cummings, and Dr. Joseph Dolen, who are engaged in a drug smuggling operation using Stanwyk's aviation company. Fletch gathers evidence, confronts Stanwyk, and exposes the entire scheme, leading to Stanwyk's arrest and the dismantling of the drug operation. Fletch quits his job at the newspaper and ultimately reunites with Gail Stanwyk in Rio de Janeiro.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Independent reporter Fletch is drawn from his laid-back beach life into a high-stakes mystery when wealthy Alan Stanwyk hires him to kill him.
Open full beat sheetIrwin 'Fletch' Fletcher is listed as Protagonist. A rangy, quick-witted investigative journalist who often goes undercover. In the parsed data, Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher is connected to 42 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
42 scenes / 16 dialogue linesGail Stanwyk is listed as Supporting. Alan Stanwyk's wife, who becomes involved with Fletch. In the parsed data, Gail Stanwyk is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 43.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGummy is listed as Supporting. A young, strung-out junkie on the beach. In the parsed data, Gummy is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAlan Stanwyk is listed as Antagonist. A wealthy executive who attempts to hire Fletch to murder him. In the parsed data, Alan Stanwyk is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCreasy is listed as Supporting. A young junkie on the beach. In the parsed data, Creasy is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesFrank Walker is listed as Supporting. The city editor at the newspaper where Fletch works. In the parsed data, Frank Walker is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesChief Cummings is listed as Antagonist. The corrupt police chief involved in drug smuggling. In the parsed data, Chief Cummings is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesFat Sam is listed as Drug Dealer. A chubby man in his late thirties who deals drugs on the beach. In the parsed data, Fat Sam is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesLarry is listed as Supporting. A young morgue researcher at the newspaper who assists Fletch. In the parsed data, Larry is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMarvin Stanwyk is listed as Supporting. Alan Stanwyk's father. In the parsed data, Marvin Stanwyk is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 31.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDr. Joseph Dolen is listed as Supporting. An imperious physician. In the parsed data, Dr. Joseph Dolen is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesVelma Stanwyk is listed as Supporting. Alan Stanwyk's mother. In the parsed data, Velma Stanwyk is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 30.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJohn Boyd is listed as Supporting. Gail Stanwyk's father and Chairman Emeritus of Boyd Aviation. In the parsed data, John Boyd is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 11.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCharles Gillett is listed as Supporting. Fletch's attorney. In the parsed data, Charles Gillett is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 9.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesEstablishing shot of a rundown beach area with Fat Sam's hamburger stand.
Fletch talks to Fat Sam about drug supplies and interacts with a local junkie named Gummy.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Fat Sam, GummyFletch talks to Creasy about Fat Sam's mysterious supply.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, CreasyFletch is approached by Alan Stanwyk who makes a strange proposition.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Alan StanwykStanwyk asks Fletch to murder him, claiming he has terminal cancer.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Alan StanwykFletch visits the newspaper office and talks to Larry and Frank Walker.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Frank Walker, LarryFletch poses as a patient to investigate Dr. Dolen regarding Stanwyk's health.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Dr. Joseph DolenFletch sneaks into the records room and discovers Stanwyk does not have cancer.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Dr. Joseph DolenFletch's attorney Charles Gillett demands alimony payments.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Charles GillettFletch meets Gail Stanwyk at the club.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Gail StanwykFletch poses as an SEC investigator to question John Boyd.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, John BoydPolice raid the beach and arrest Gummy.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Gummy, CreasyFletch and Creasy approach police who are arresting Gummy.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Creasy, Gummy, Chief CummingsFletch updates Frank Walker on his investigation and gets a lead on Alan Stanwyk.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Frank Walker, LarryFletch calls Swarthout Realty posing as Igor Stravinski.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Alan StanwykFletch breaks into Swarthout's house to find evidence.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch is arrested and brought to Chief Cummings.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Chief CummingsFletch meets Gail Stanwyk in her cabana.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Gail StanwykFletch asks a clerk about Cavanaugh, then leaves.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch leaves the airport.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch arrives at a house in Provo.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch checks the doorbell.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch enters the house.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch explores the house.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch views the living room.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch searches the house.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch is confronted by a man.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, CreasyFletch escapes.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch drives away as his window is shot.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch meets Marvin and Velma Stanwyk.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Marvin Stanwyk, Velma StanwykFletch learns about Alan's wife.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Marvin Stanwyk, Velma StanwykFletch talks to Larry.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, LarryFletch gets a call about the Marriott.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch records his thoughts.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch tells Gail about Alan's bigamy.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Gail StanwykFletch meets Gummy.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, GummyFletch talks to Fat Sam.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Fat SamFletch quits.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Frank Walker, Fat Sam, GummyFletch and Walker argue.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Frank WalkerFletch breaks into the house.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch finds evidence.
Irwin 'Fletch' FletcherFletch confronts Alan.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Alan Stanwyk, Gail Stanwyk, Chief CummingsFletch and Gail reunite.
Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher, Gail StanwykYou know, Alan and I were recently speaking of dying. Told me Boyd Aviation took out a lot of insurance on him.
If you keep nosing around, you make the bad guys just a little bit more cautious. That makes my job harder.
I'll give you a thousand dollars cash just to come to my house and listen to the proposition.
Alan Stanwyk does not own one share of stock.
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