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Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Arthur Hill, Janet Leigh ... see more see more... , Pamela Tiffin , Robert Webber , Shelley Winters , Harold Gould , Strother Martin , Martin West , Jacqueline de Wit , Eugene Iglesias , Richard Carlyle , Roy Jenson , China Lee , Tom Steele , Robert Wagner

Screenwriter William Goldman has claimed that Paul Newman agreed to do Harper, the film that established the grateful writer's career, only because he was working unhappily on Lady L. (1965) in Europe... read more read more..., and was looking for something as unlike that film as possible. He stars as Lew Harper, a hip L.A. private dick whose business has gotten so bad that he's re-using his coffee grounds. At the suggestion of his friend, attorney Albert Graves (Arthur Hill), the detective takes on the investigation of the disappearance of the wealthy husband of waspish cripple Elaine Sampson (Lauren Bacall). After finding a photograph of former actress Fay Estabrook (Shelley Winters), Harper locates the alcoholic actress in a bar, plies her with booze, and takes her home to search her apartment while she's unconscious. There he takes a call which leads him to another bar to meet Betty Fraley (Julie Harris), a singer with a heroin problem. To curtail his inquisitive behavior, some large and unpleasant gentleman beat him up outside the saloon. Hoping for sympathy from his soon to be ex-wife (Janet Leigh), who has just filed divorce papers, the weary detective is much more successful than he has any right to expect. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

1,384 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

16 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 1 min.

Directed by: Jack Smight

Release Date: February 23, 1966

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DVD Release Date: November 14, 2006

Stats: 134 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (134)

  • moonrivers
    August 14, 2011
    moonrivers
    No more no less than a sixties update on Philip Marlowe, with dinner theater lines given good location shooting. The mystery is only a matter of eliminating the obvious which leaves the charisma of the actors involved to carry the piece. Newman has fun as Mar ... er ... the gum... read moreshoe. Bacall is no longer the rich man's daughter but now his disgruntled wife although essentially the same character. Strother Martin as a cult leader is without a doubt just a fun casting choice.
  • kenstachnik
    March 30, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Harper has quite the pedigree, it stars Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, Janet Leigh, Robert Wagner, Jacqueline de Witt AND Shelley Winters. It has a screenplay by Bill Goldman that's kind of a 60's "James Bond Cool" version of a Bogart detective film. Not only that it's shot by Conra... read mored Hall! How can this not be awesome?

    *Shrug* The film ends up bumbling it's awesome ingredients and turns out to be a very passable, but unremarkable Who-Dun-It. C'est la vie
  • imrealgod
    January 27, 2011
    imrealgod
    A predictable detective story enriched by Paul Newman's stylish performance :P A few minutes into it and you'd probably know who the perpetrator is.
  • ajv2688
    December 9, 2010
    ajv2688
    This is a spy movie where everyone is a criminal, everyone! I bet you can guess the end just by knowing that. Now, what's the point in seeing this? I wish I hadn't wasted the time. Overall, it's not bad, it's just not good either.
  • ythelastman89
    January 18, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Just an amazing movie. It's got a great blend of comedy and suspense. Paul Newman gives a great performance as Harper, the world's greatest private eye. It's got a great plot that is both fun and intelligent. I think my favorite element is the above-average cinematography and att... read moreention to detail. It's not just another detective story, it's a very unique and unforgettable character piece.
  • garyX
    August 6, 2009
    garyX
    Detective Paul Newman quips his way through a case for which he is hired by a cold-hearted Lauren Bacall to find her eccentric millionaire husband. Paul Newman displays his usual charm and humour in this noir style mystery, with Lauren Bacall fitting like a glove into her familia... read morer role of bitter femme fatale. Unfortunately the overly jokey tone compromises the darker edges of the plot and the garish photography and overly conspicuous 60s jazz-pop soundtrack have dated it rather badly, as does the supporting cast of TV movie caricatures. The overall effect is to make it feel like a feature length episode of The Rockford Files. But the fact is, I loved The Rockford Files. The jokes are funny, the plot keeps you interested and Newman is always worth watching. Dated, yes, but it never fails to entertain.
  • tsigur
    March 5, 2009
    tsigur
    The thing about this movie is that it has some weird story arcs which drove me crazy (the whole religious cult reminded me of Scientology) and, at times, it seems like the cast was having a little too much of a good time. Either way, the reason you watch it and keep watching it i... read mores Newman, who is charming as shit and having a great time playing this character. There is also some great lines from William Goldman's script, but in the end the story falls flat. At least we get to see the beautiful Lauren Bacall (probably one of the easiest paychecks she ever earned) and a funny (and at times annoying) young Robert Wagner. I had a good time watching it, but was left wanting more.
  • jjnxn
    April 9, 2008
    jjnxn
    An amazing cast in a film that doesn't quite jell.
  • alice5mith
    November 6, 2009
    alice5mith
    A good mystery and a comic detective to solve it.
  • threefolddado
    July 2, 2008
    threefolddado
    Cool detective story.

View All Harper (The Moving Target) Reviews

Critic Reviews

September 30, 2008
TIME Magazine

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. Full Review

Variety Staff
September 30, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Director Jack Smight has inserted countless touches which illuminate each character to the highest degree. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

[Newman] is too fresh, too ruggedly good looking to be consistent as the sort of beat-up slob that his shady detective is intended to be and as Mr. Bogart used to be. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 27, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Supported by colorful characters (played by Lauren Bacall, Shelley Winters, Julie Harris), Paul Newman gives a solid performance in his first private detective role, which catapulted him to major star... Full Review

September 30, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

William Goldman's adaptation of MacDonald's novel -- his first solo screenwriting credit -- is full of rapid-fire dialogue, but some of the characterizations are thin. Full Review

John J. Puccio
December 29, 2006
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

Harper shows the actor to good advantage, Newman's nonchalant demeanor well suiting the character of the PI. Full Review

Derek Adams
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Enjoyable performances throughout. Just the same, a very minor Big Sleep. Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Newman smoulders in the lead role, a private eye hired by Bacall to find her missing husband. Full Review

Jake Euker
October 10, 2005
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Linda Cook
September 20, 2005
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

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