The Wheeler Dealers is a 1963 Romantic Comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring James Garner and Lee Remick. It was written by George Goodman and Ira Wallach, based on Goodman's 1959 novel of the same name.
Molly Thatcher (Remick) is a stockbroker languishing in a New York company run by male chauvinist Bullard Bear (Jim Backus). When the company does poorly, he has to fire somebody, and as the company's only female broker, Molly becomes the obvious patsy. To give himself an excuse to fire her, he assigns her the seemingly impossible task of unloading shares of an obscure company called Universal Widgets.
Molly meets Henry Tyroon (Garner), an aggressive wheeler dealer who dresses, talks, and acts like a stereotypical Texas millionaire. He is interested in her romantically, not Universal Widgets, but decides to help out in order to get closer to her. As they spend time together, they soon discover that Universal Widgets appears to be an impossible company.
This film features examples of:
- Fanservice: At one point Molly is reduced to a Modesty Towel, while Henry has a Shirtless Scene.
- Intimidating Revenue Service: When Henry makes attempts to take control of Universal Widgets by what appears to be questionable methods, an over-enthusiastic government regulator (John Astin) takes him to court.
- Modesty Towel: Molly at one point is reduced to wearing one of these.
- The Reveal: Henry is actually an Easterner and a Yale University graduate; he's only masquerading as a Texan to help him with his wheeling and dealing.
- The Smurfette Principle: Molly is the only female broker in her company.
- Wacky Americans Have Wacky Names: Henry's Texan cronies have stereotypically Texan names, such as Jay Ray (Chill Wills), Ray Jay (Phil Harris), and J. R. (Charles Watts).
