This classic footage serves as a compelling laboratory for behavioral economics, illustrating the raw tension between rational risk assessment and human intuition. It perfectly captures the psychological complexity of decision-making when individuals are forced to weigh certain gains against unknown possibilities.
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Let's Make A Deal | 1984 | Monty Hall | Big Deal: $8,408Added:
[THEME MUSIC] - It's time for "The All-New Let's Make a Deal," starring TV's big dealer, Monty Hall.
- Hello.
Welcome.
How are you?
It's good to see all of you folks.
Where are you from?
- Peru.
- Peru?
Very good.
Machu Picchu, right?
Right up at the top there.
You want to go there with me someday?
We'll climb up to Machu Picchu together.
- Coast. - Huh?
- I'm from the coast. - Oh, you're from the coast.
You don't know-- well, you and I will go up there together.
Are you from Lima? Where are you from?
Lima? - South of Lima.
- South of Lima.
South of Lima is Cleveland, for those people in Ohio.
This is Lima, Peru, we're talking about.
Well, this is "Let's Make a Deal."
Hello, Brian. How are you?
Everybody well?
Ready for "The All-New Let's Make a Deal"?
Here we go.
You, sir.
I'm going to make a deal with this gentleman over here, because Steven Christ, looks like he is a man who knows what he's about to do. - Right.
- Fearless one, I'm going to let you make a deal affecting these two people beside you, right over here. - OK.
- OK? Now, ladies, stand right up.
You can put the moonshine down, Teresa.
Teresa Valentine, you're not from Tennessee, are you?
- No. - Kentucky?
- No.
- Where'd you get that moonshine?
- Right here in California.
- Shh.
Don't tell the feds.
Tory Bezazian, where are you from?
- Burbank. - Burbank.
OK. And Steven?
- Rialto. - Rialto.
I like that.
You said that like you don't come from Rialto.
Now, you're a brave man, because every time you make a decision, all three of you will benefit.
And you have choices, but they can't say anything.
They have to abide by your decision.
So if it doesn't go well with you, just-- you got good, broad shoulders, kid.
All right.
Now, for example, each of you can have a packet of money.
I have a $5 bill on both sides and more bills in between.
I have a packet for you, a packet for you, and a packet for you.
Or you can have what's inside the box.
And a box for you, and a box for you, and a box for you.
- The money. - All right.
Hold on to the money.
Don't look at it yet.
But I'm going to show you what he turned down that you could have had.
There was a lovely camera for each one of you, a 35 millimeter camera.
- The high performance Minolta X-700 program system.
The 35 millimeter SLR camera with programmed exposure, where you set nothing.
Focus and shoot for great results every time.
It sells for $463.50.
- Isn't that good, that he traded that away and kept the money? You happy?
- I'm not sure.
- You're not sure?
You have good reason not to be sure, because I think Hank told me-- yes, Henry told me that he put something-- oh, yes.
Each one of you had, in addition to that, $1,500.
- Oh, no!
You jerk!
- Oh!
- Oh, no!
- Teresa didn't lay a glove on you.
- I'm sorry.
- Just this one over here belted you pretty good.
Tory. Tory, listen.
So what? You got money.
- We got money.
- You don't know if it's $1,500.
- Oh, it's not-- I know, yeah.
- It's more than that.
- Tory, I think you should put the flags down, because I got a hunch that she's-- she's on her way to belting you out.
Listen, you still each have a packet of money.
Even though you gave away a nice camera and $1,500, it's a lovely gift. But you have this.
And I'll give you another choice now, Steve.
You didn't do too well the first time, apparently, in the eyes of the ladies.
But there's a big box on the display floor, and I will duplicate it once again.
Or triplicate it, as the case may be.
Do you want to keep the money?
Do you want to go for the box?
- The money.
- He keeps the money again.
What was in the box that each one of them could have had?
And back there, you could have had a new console piano.
- This elegant Schafer & Sons decorator console piano features timeless styling and performance.
This instrument has a lovely walnut finish, and it's from Schafer & Sons.
It's valued at $2,025.
- I can't believe it. Ugh.
- Don't worry, Steve.
I'll protect you. - It's their turn now.
- It's their turn now?
You want-- you want out, do you?
All right. - No.
- He wants out.
So I'll tell you what we'll do.
Each of you can make your own separate decision.
You each have a packet of money, right?
You each have that.
Whatever's inside belongs to you.
And now individual decisions.
Curtain number 2, please.
Let's open and show part of this.
And then they can make up their mind if they want some pasta and what's behind it.
A description of the pasta.
- Creamette's the lasagna in the famous green box.
Cooks up tender without sticking together.
- Something behind the pasta, too, that you may have if you want to trade away the money.
Teresa Valentine, what do you want to do?
- I'll go for it.
- She's going for it.
Tory Bezazian?
- No. I'm not-- - She's going to keep the money.
- I'm going to keep the money.
- Two of them keep the money, and only Teresa gets what's back there.
What's back there for Teresa?
Behind the lasagna, a stuffed elk.
An old, stuffed elk.
[SAD MUSIC] Don't you dust that thing off here, Melanie.
You'll steam us right out of the studio.
That's an old relic.
Aren't you just thrilled to pieces, Teresa?
Yeah.
How much money was in the packet for these kids, the two of them who kept the money?
Are you ready for this? - Yeah.
- OK.
You know you got $5 on one side and $5 on the other, right?
We'll take them away.
But in between the fives, I see hundred dollar bills.
- Yeah.
- And you know how many there are of them?
- Oh my God.
- There are 14 hundred dollar bills.
$1,410 for each of these folks.
And $1,400, now you can thank him for keeping the money, right?
Friends again.
- Thank you.
Oh, thank you!
- Remember, $1,400 for you. $1,400 for you.
OK.
Very good.
- Thank you.
- All right.
[MUSIC PLAYING] - All right!
- I'm going to take a picture of the next deal.
How can I take it?
It hasn't happened yet.
But it's coming your way.
[THEME MUSIC] [THEME MUSIC] - Thank you.
I-- Folks, you're not paying any attention.
When I go like that, that means, you know, we want to get on with the show.
I'm intrigued by this.
Over here, I see some fishermen.
And over here, I see a lobster.
And if fishermen fished for lobster, you'd catch him, wouldn't you?
So why don't we make a deal with the fishermen and the lobster?
And the cook that goes-- you go with the lobster?
Fine. Yeah.
You can all be up for the deal.
OK.
So this is Mike and Leann Amos and Mary and Jim Spence.
If you'll put down all the sharp instruments-- I'm a little allergic to things like that-- I'm going to let you go on a little shopping spree.
What happens, the ladies are going to go shopping and turn the proceeds over to the men, and then the men can spend it. Is that all right?
- Yes. - OK.
So now, why don't we march down over here, folks?
All of us together.
And form a nice straight line, with one couple beside me here. Here.
You can stand here.
And the lobster next to you.
And then the fisherman on the other side.
Very good.
Now here's what's going to happen.
You girls will give me the prices.
You'll compete on the pricing of certain items for money.
And the men can't help you.
The men can't help.
See, that's the deal right now.
Then later, they'll turn the money over to you as they win, and then you'll have your chance, OK?
It's all right?
- All right.
Great.
- That wasn't done exactly well.
We'll try it again. It's all right?
- It's all right!
- All right.
Now, Leann and Mary, here we go with item number 1.
When we price these items, we think about the manufacturer's suggested retail selling price on the West Coast.
And I'm going to pay the winner $200.
Description, please.
- Ramen Pride, America's best selling oriental noodles.
Five delicious flavors, no preservatives.
A great food value, ready in minutes.
Ramon Pride from Sanwa Foods.
- Leann?
- $0.79.
- And Mary?
- $0.45.
- The price actually is only $0.25, and so Mary is closer.
Gets $200.
Why is your hand out?
Mary, you give him the money.
That's right.
Item number 2 for another $200.
Brian.
- Pearl Drops Smoker's Toothpolish helps brush off the stains your filter can't filter out.
Now available in new gel.
Pearl Drops Smoker's Toothpolish.
- Mary goes first.
- $1.39.
- I'm going to say $1.49.
- The price actually is $4.03.
Here you are.
You came closer, but you didn't even deserve it, did you?
- I don't smoke. - Ah, you don't smoke.
Well, just remember that it's more expensive than you think it is, OK? Yes.
You're supposed to turn it over to the lobster.
Right. - Here's the money.
- OK, he's got the claws to grab it with.
OK. Here we go.
- A 21 ounce box of Success, the boil-in-bag rice cooks in 10 minutes. No measuring.
No mess.
Once you've switched to Success, nothing else will do.
- OK, you go first this time.
- OK. $1.49.
- $1.59.
- The price actually is $1.79-- $1.75.
Mary Spence comes closer. $200 to her husband.
Once again.
Let's do it again.
- One gallon of scrubbable Tru-Test E-Z Kare latex flat wall and trim finish for walls and woodwork, only at True Value hardware stores.
- Mary, you have to go first this time.
- $7.
- Leann.
- I say $15.99.
- You didn't have to go that high to be different.
The price actually is $18.95, and you get $200.
Did you realize that when she said $7, if you wanted to-- thought it was higher, all you had to do was say $7.01, you know.
All right. Now, listen.
I tell you what we'll do.
This time, I'm going to really make it worthwhile.
$500 to the winner.
Here we go.
- The Groomsman by Wahl, the new battery-powered trimmer to keep your beard, mustache, and sideburns looking barbershop fresh.
- And you go first this time, Leann.
This is for $500.
- OK.
I'm going to say $29.99.
- $28.
- And the Price actually is $27.98.
You missed it by only $0.02.
$500 more for her.
And your dad's a barber.
That's cute.
I don't know whether you folks at home heard that little aside that Mike said to Leann.
He says, yeah, and your dad's a barber.
That was kind of cute.
But now, you ended up with a lot of loot.
How much did you end up with over there?
- $900. - $900.
How much money have you got over here, lobster?
- $400. - $400.
All right.
A chance for you to spend the $400.
I know that you haven't had-- oh, isn't that nice?
He put his claw-- he put his claws around her.
There's a box on the display floor that sells for $400 clams, lobster.
[CROWD CLAMORING] You want the box?
That comes to 400 clams.
What's inside the box for the lobster?
And show us what's back there.
And back there for $400 that you spent, we have three different items for you.
A computer set up for the home.
- The Commodore 64 computer, featuring 64k memory, full size keyboard, color graphics, sprites, sound capability music composer cartridge, and program reference guide from Commodore.
It sells for $339.85.
And for computing or entertainment viewing, a 13 inch color television set, featuring wireless remote control.
It's placed within a high tech metallic silver cabinet from Sharp.
It retails for $399.
Plus the latest in telephone efficiency, the Anova telephone center.
It's four products in one.
It's an electronic telephone that contains an answering machine, a memory dialer, and a speakerphone, from Anova.
It sells for $399.95.
Total value of this electronics deal, $1,138.80.
- You did make a good deal after all.
Congratulations to you.
Mary and Jim, you have $900.
And now it's your turn to spend the money.
You don't get into this.
It's up to Jim.
Would you like to buy what's behind curtain number two for $900?
- Ooh, that's a lot of money.
[CROWD CLAMORING] That's a lot of money.
- Would you like to buy what's back there for $700?
- Yes. - All right.
Peel off $700.
Keep $200 for yourself.
Boy, I hope there's something good back there.
She worked hard for the money.
What's back there, curtain number 2?
You got yourself two canopy bathtubs, after all your hard work.
Yes, it's his and hers canopy bathtubs.
[GOOFY MUSIC PLAYING] Did you find jaws in that bathtub there, Brian?
Just be very, very careful.
And one thing you don't do is you don't pass it over to the hers bathtub, right?
She doesn't need it.
They look kind of cute there, the way they're throwing the bubbles back and forth.
And now Jim and Mary are going to have the same opportunity when they take those bathtubs home.
Thank you, kids, and congratulations to the Amos kids.
All right.
[MUSIC PLAYING] That was kind of interesting, isn't that thing?
All right.
We're going to be back with what we call a dream vacation.
And so will you, right after this.
[THEME MUSIC] [THEME MUSIC] - OK.
By golly, I see something over there.
Friends, dear friends, I see something up there that looks like Monty's safe.
And inside there, it says trip to Hawaii.
So if somebody makes the right deal, here's where you will be vacationing.
Take a look at curtain number 1.
Describe this vacation, please.
- Oh, come on, hon.
- A jet coach flight for two to fabulous Hawaii.
A tropical paradise awaits you in the midst of surf, sand, and sun.
And all of it can be yours during your week stay at the Maui Surf resort and hotel.
On the sands of Ka'anapali beach in Hawaii, tropical gardens, pools, luxury rooms, dancing, and island entertainment.
From Maui Surf, this Hawaiian vacation is valued at $2,186.
- All right.
If you want it, you get a chance at it right now.
Did I scare you when I pointed my finger at you?
You know what you said when you looked at me?
- Me? - You said, Johnny.
And that's your name.
- Yes, that's me.
- I guess I shook you up a little bit there, huh?
- You sure did.
- Johnny Deweese, would you like to go to Hawaii?
- I sure would. - All right.
I'll tell you what you do.
It's right here in this safe, and it's as simple as this.
You take a key, after Brian picks it up.
Because I'm not going to pick it up.
He dropped it, right? - Right.
- All right.
So there's-- there are three keys, and they are numbered A, B, and C.
And one is the key to Brian's dressing room, because we're giving that away.
All right.
Now, A, B, and C. Three keys.
It's a very simple deal, Johnny.
One of the keys-- at least one of them fits the safe.
If you pick the right key and open the safe, then the whole thing is yours.
The whole trip, and some cash that goes with it.
The whole thing is going to be yours.
So there's $700 in cash. $2,886 is the whole thing.
Before you even make up your mind, I will-- well, you pick a key.
You pick a key, and then I'll show you how we work.
OK. You've got a key.
Now, I'm going to take key number B for Brian, right?
And see what happens when I try this key in the safe.
I know at least one opens.
But Brian's key didn't. No.
Just his dressing room door.
OK.
So now we have two keys left, A and C. And you're holding C, and I've got A. And if yours opens the safe, you're going to Hawaii with some cash.
OK?
You like the whole thing?
- I like the idea.
- You like the idea.
If you don't like the idea, I'll give you what's behind that box right now.
No questions asked.
[CROWD CLAMORING] I'll tell you what I'll do.
If you don't like the idea, I'll give you $500 in cash to call off the deal.
- I think I'll call off the deal.
- For how much? The box of $500?
- $500. - She wants the $500.
Sure, what was behind the box she could have had, had she gone for the box?
Well, back there, we had things to modernize your kitchen.
- First a Sunray deluxe 36 inch range.
Range top griddle, five surface burners, full black glass see-through oven door.
Pilotless to reduce gas use, from Sunray division of Caloric corporation.
It retails for $799.
And we're adding new Mazola No Stick, the light spray that takes the fat out of frying.
Save calories can make cleanup easy with new Mazola No Stick.
Then for easy cleanup, unclutter your kitchen with this KitchenAid trash compactor.
Features exclusive litter bin and a charcoal filter odor control.
It sells for $539.95.
Total value of this deal was $1,363.95.
- Yeah, that was a pretty good deal.
Now, can I have your key, please?
Johnny, you could have had $1,300.
You took $500 in cash.
So no matter what happens in the deal, you're going to be on top of the whole situation.
This key, key number C that you gave to me, puts it in the safe.
And what happens?
It opens up the whole thing.
And you had the right key, the trip to Hawaii and the cash.
$2,886.
But you gave it away for $500.
Not bad, but not the greatest.
Thank you, Johnny Deweese, for making that deal with me.
Thank you.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Lucky me.
I'm going to Hawaii.
Hey, now it's time for the big deal worth $8,408.
And we're going to go back to two of our traders, see if they want to go one more time.
Now, Steven Christ has $1,410 in cash.
Oh, what will he do?
I think he's going to hang on to the money.
I can see the way he's grabbing it.
- Yeah, keep the money. - I see I was right.
But on the other hand, Tory Bezazian looks like she might spend it.
See if I've got them figured out right.
[CROWD CLAMORING] - OK, I'll trade.
- She trades, which means that Tory is a liberal.
OK.
So Steven says no.
Tory says yes.
Leann and Mike Amos have $1,138 worth of merchandise.
The lobster says, yes, we're going.
We'll be back for that big deal right after this.
[THEME MUSIC] [THEME MUSIC] - All right, friends.
The big deal today's worth $8,408, and it could be behind door number 1, which starts off with some refreshing fruit punch.
- Sunny Delight Florida Citrus Punch brand contains a delicious blend of orange, tangerine, and lime juices.
Nothing delights you like Sunny Delight.
- And there's something goes with that.
And we also have doors 2 and 3.
Tory, which one do you want for your $1,410 in cash?
[CROWD CLAMORING] - I'm going to take door number 3.
- Door number 3.
And Leann?
- Oh, 1.
1.
- You took 1, and you took 3, is that right?
Have I got it correct?
Then nobody took 2.
Well, why don't we show 2, that nobody chose?
And back of 2, we had a lovely dining room.
- A Broyhill dining room.
A colonial styling cherry finish, featuring a spoon foot table and chairs with detailed molding on the lighted China cabinet from Broyhill.
It retails for $1,320.
And for an added touch of luxury when serving your guests, this collection of Oneida silversmiths beautiful serving pieces.
Chafing dish, tray, sauce bowl, buffet server, and butter dish, all in the elegant Seacrest pattern from Oneida silversmiths.
It's all worth $510.
Total value of this deal, $1,830.
- Ah, that is a very nice deal.
Nobody took that.
But you picked door number 1.
So we want to see what's behind the fruit punch for you now.
Leann and Mike Amos, take a look at 1.
Behind the fruit punch for the Amoses, what have we got?
Pull it aside and show them.
All these appliances for their kitchen.
- A Whirlpool appliance kitchen featuring a no frost French door refrigerator with power-saving control switch, porcelain-on-steel interior, and no fingerprint textured steel doors.
A portable convertible or under counter dishwasher.
With Duraperm door, super scour cycle, and exclusive in-the-door silverware basket.
And a gas range with continuous clean oven, full-width glass panoramic oven door, from Whirlpool.
The appliances retail for $2,078.
And now here's something you can enjoy in any room of your house.
It's a new color TV.
A 25-inch color television with wireless remote control and 105 cable channels, with matching stand from Sharp.
It sells for $925.
Total value of this deal, $3,028.
- Well, that was almost a big deal in itself.
So you made a very, very good deal.
Congratulations to you, Leann and Mike Amos.
Which means, Tory, that being liberal and going for the big deal-- and he didn't-- you are going to get the big deal today.
For $1,410, let's take a look and see what's behind door number three.
And a magnificent grand piano.
You remember, you said what you said when you lost the little piano?
Oh.
When she lost the little piano, she said, oh, and I wanted a piano.
And now you've got a grand.
- Oh, I cannot believe it.
- I know.
- I can't believe it.
- The California grand piano from Schafer & Sons.
The tone is full, rich, and powerful, its action responsive.
This grand is indeed a great performer, from Schafer & Sons.
It's valued at $6,408.
- Oh my God! - All right.
And I want you to have some piano lessons, so here's $2,000 in cash to go with it.
[SCREAMS] I'm a little afraid of her.
I'm gun shy.
There you are. Thank you.
Go down, take a look at your piano.
Go ahead, Tory. Woo.
My goodness.
All right.
Now, if you have a purse with you, you show me a nail file.
I'll give you $100.
Show me an emery board, I'll give you $100.
Have you got an emery board or a nail file?
Or a paper-- or a clipper.
How about a clipper?
That's the smallest little emery board I ever saw in my whole life.
Did you ever see an emery board this size, folks?
She's been whittling herself down to size.
All right. So there's the emery board.
Where's the nail file?
No nail file?
Do you have-- do you have a nail clipper?
Catherine, you just keep looking, because they're worth $100 apiece to you, all right?
Now, right next to you, let me see-- - "The All-New Let's Make a Deal" is a Stefan Hatos, Monty Hall production, in association with Telepictures.
- --driver's license?
You don't have any of those licenses.
Oh, that's too bad.
All right.
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