X
- 1966
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 1 m
- 1966
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 1 m
Summary Lew Harper, a cool private investigator, is hired by a wealthy California matron to locate her kidnapped husband.
Directed By: Jack Smight
Written By: William Goldman, Ross Macdonald
- 1966
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 1 m
- 1966
- Approved
- Warner Bros.
- 2 h 1 m
Harper
51
6.6
Where to Watch
Summary Lew Harper, a cool private investigator, is hired by a wealthy California matron to locate her kidnapped husband.
Directed By: Jack Smight
Written By: William Goldman, Ross Macdonald
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
51
33% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
67% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
51
33% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
67% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
By combining flamboyant suspense with a sunbaked slice of life and lots of good mean fun, Director Smight makes every clue a pleasure to follow.
William Goldman, in his first solo script credit, plays knowing games with the Chandlerish conventions, while director Smight pumps up the pace and tags along with the allusive casting of Bacall. Enjoyable performances throughout.
MacDonald's novel--his first solo screenwriting credit--is full of rapid-fire dialogue but some of the characterizations are thin. Despite all the big names involved, Harper doesn't begin to approach the big leagues of hard-boiled detective films. Nonetheless, Newman gives a convincing performance.
Some excellent directorial touches and solid thesping are evident in the colorful and plush production. Abundance of comedy and sometimes extraneous emphasis on cameo characters make for a relaxed pace and imbalanced concept, resulting in overlength and telegraphing of climax.
The action is swift and the mystery fetching in this handsomely made color film. But eventually it seems a bit too obvious, imitative, old-fashioned and, worst of all, stale.
Paul Newman in a bungled attempt to recapture the Bogart private-eye world of The Big Sleep. Shelley Winters gives the picture artificial respiration for a few minutes, but it soon relapses. A private-eye movie without sophistication and style is ignominious.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 User Ratings
6.6
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
40% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 5 User Ratings
6.6
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
40% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Laurel Awards
• 2 Nominations
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Writers Guild of America, USA
• 1 Nomination
