"Harper" is a typical 1940s detective story which was based on Ross MacDonald's novel called "The Moving Target". It features a quick witted private eye, an investigation into the disappearance of an eccentric millionaire and an assortment of characters who between them are involved in drug addiction, alcoholism and smuggling people across the border from Mexico. It starts very much in the style of "The Big Sleep" as the private investigator visits his invalid client in a mansion and gets distracted by his employer's spoiled young step-daughter.
This is also, however, a 1960s movie which has a number of characteristics which reflect the period in which it was made. Some of these are the presence of bright colours, go-go dancing and a guru. The mood of the piece is noticeably more light hearted than would be normal in a 1940s movie and the private eye is also more laid back. The fashions and music reinforce the movie's 60s credentials and overall the blend of 40s and 60s influences work together remarkably well.
Lew Harper (Paul Newman) is hired by the extremely wealthy but crippled Elaine Sampson (Lauren Bacall) to find her missing husband. Mrs Sampson's very bitter about the way she's been treated by her heavy drinking spouse and assumes that he's probably with another woman. At the Sampson mansion, Harper meets the millionaire's airhead daughter Miranda (Pamela Tiffin) and the family's private pilot, Allan Taggart (Robert Wagner).
A photograph he finds in Sampson's L.A. apartment, leads Harper to Fay Estabrook (Shelley Winters). She's an overweight, alcoholic ex-actress who Harper charms before going to her apartment where a telephone call provides him with another lead. His further investigations bring him into contact with a junkie nightclub singer called Betty Fraley (Julie Harris) and a religious cult leader called Claude (Strother Martin).
Sampson's been kidnapped and the ransom money is duly paid. Trouble follows, however, when Betty Fraley steals the cash and this leads Harper to suspect that she and Taggart had conspired together to kidnap Sampson. Harper is threatened at gunpoint by Taggart but escapes injury when his old friend Albert Graves (Arthur Hill) appears on the scene. Fraley later leads Harper to the location where Sampson is being held but then some other unexpected developments follow.
Paul Newman is ideal for the lead role which calls for him to adopt a cool, casual and laid back style whilst also showing just how quick witted and professional his character really is. His ability to seemingly meet these requirements with consummate ease is very impressive and really enjoyable to watch. Predictably, Robert Wagner, Shelley Winters and Janet Leigh are also excellent in their roles and Arthur Hill makes a big impression as Harper's lawyer friend who has an enormous crush on Miranda Sampson and great faith in the benefits of isometric exercises.
"Harper" is a movie with a tremendous cast, an absorbing plot and a variety of very colourful characters. The dialogue is full of entertaining one-liners and there are also plenty of humorous as well as dramatic moments to enjoy.
This is also, however, a 1960s movie which has a number of characteristics which reflect the period in which it was made. Some of these are the presence of bright colours, go-go dancing and a guru. The mood of the piece is noticeably more light hearted than would be normal in a 1940s movie and the private eye is also more laid back. The fashions and music reinforce the movie's 60s credentials and overall the blend of 40s and 60s influences work together remarkably well.
Lew Harper (Paul Newman) is hired by the extremely wealthy but crippled Elaine Sampson (Lauren Bacall) to find her missing husband. Mrs Sampson's very bitter about the way she's been treated by her heavy drinking spouse and assumes that he's probably with another woman. At the Sampson mansion, Harper meets the millionaire's airhead daughter Miranda (Pamela Tiffin) and the family's private pilot, Allan Taggart (Robert Wagner).
A photograph he finds in Sampson's L.A. apartment, leads Harper to Fay Estabrook (Shelley Winters). She's an overweight, alcoholic ex-actress who Harper charms before going to her apartment where a telephone call provides him with another lead. His further investigations bring him into contact with a junkie nightclub singer called Betty Fraley (Julie Harris) and a religious cult leader called Claude (Strother Martin).
Sampson's been kidnapped and the ransom money is duly paid. Trouble follows, however, when Betty Fraley steals the cash and this leads Harper to suspect that she and Taggart had conspired together to kidnap Sampson. Harper is threatened at gunpoint by Taggart but escapes injury when his old friend Albert Graves (Arthur Hill) appears on the scene. Fraley later leads Harper to the location where Sampson is being held but then some other unexpected developments follow.
Paul Newman is ideal for the lead role which calls for him to adopt a cool, casual and laid back style whilst also showing just how quick witted and professional his character really is. His ability to seemingly meet these requirements with consummate ease is very impressive and really enjoyable to watch. Predictably, Robert Wagner, Shelley Winters and Janet Leigh are also excellent in their roles and Arthur Hill makes a big impression as Harper's lawyer friend who has an enormous crush on Miranda Sampson and great faith in the benefits of isometric exercises.
"Harper" is a movie with a tremendous cast, an absorbing plot and a variety of very colourful characters. The dialogue is full of entertaining one-liners and there are also plenty of humorous as well as dramatic moments to enjoy.