SummaryLew 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
Harper
Metascore
Mixed or Average
51
User score
Generally Favorable
6.6
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
33% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
67% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
70
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.
70
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.
60
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.
60
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.
50
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.
40
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
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
40% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Jul 29, 2023
7
Movie is an amusing detective genre spoof, with likable wisecracking anti hero, Paul Newman in one of his best roles.
Convoluted plot, with multiple storylines, providing twists and turns.
Lots of wacky characters, with Pamela Tiffin as a stand out. She is so beautiful.
Top notch talent behind the camera, featuring a William Goldman script, from Ross MacDonald novel, cinematographer Conrad Hall, directed by Jack Smight.
Production Company:
- Gershwin-Kastner Productions
Release Date:Apr 9, 1966
Duration:2 h 1 m
Tagline:This is a different kind of cat named Harper... and excitement clings to him like a dame!
Awards
Laurel Awards
• 2 Nominations
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Writers Guild of America, USA
• 1 Nomination
