Early in 1971, McGraw-Hill passes on Clifford Irving's new novel. He's desperate for money, so, against the backdrop of Nixon's reelection calculations, Irving claims he has Howard Hughes's cooperation to write Hughes's autobiography. With the help of friend Dick Suskind, Irving does research, lucks into a manuscript written by a long-time Hughes associate, and plays on corporate greed. He's quick-thinking and outrageously bold. Plus, he banks on Hughes's reluctance to enter the public eye. At the same time, he's trying to rebuild his marriage and deflect the allure of his one-time mistress, Nina Van Pallandt. Can he write a good book, take the money, and pull off the hoax?

The story is based on the true-life Clifford Irving, an American writer, best known for his "authorized autobiography" of Howard Hughes which turned out to be a hoax.

Clifford Irving:
Bumped by this adolescent coffee boy. My lit professor at Cornell compared me to Hemingway! The middle of my life is at hand, and I don't have a couch.


Dick Suskind:
Think about this: Henry Miller was 38-years-old, unpublished. His wife left him for a lesbian.


Clifford Irving:
You're kind to tell me that, Dick. You're a very good man. You're a good friend. Need a loan?


Dick Suskind:
Always.

Anachronisms: Early in the movie, you see the top of the Met Life building. In the early 1970's, it was known as the Pan Am building.

Written by George Harrison
Performed by Richie Havens
Courtesy of Stormy Forest Productions Inc. Masters
by arrangement with Bug