| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Paul Newman | ... | ||
| Lauren Bacall | ... |
Mrs. Sampson
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| Julie Harris | ... |
Betty Fraley
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| Arthur Hill | ... | ||
| Janet Leigh | ... | ||
| Pamela Tiffin | ... | ||
| Robert Wagner | ... | ||
| Robert Webber | ... |
Dwight Troy
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| Shelley Winters | ... |
Fay Estabrook
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| Harold Gould | ... |
Sheriff
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| Roy Jenson | ... | ||
| Strother Martin | ... |
Claude
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| Martin West | ... |
Deputy
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Jacqueline deWit | ... |
Mrs. Kronberg
(as Jacqueline de Wit)
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Eugene Iglesias | ... |
Felix
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Lew Harper is a Los Angeles based private investigator whose marriage to Susan Harper, who he still loves, is ending in imminent divorce since she can't stand being second fiddle to his work, which is always taking him away at the most inopportune of times. His latest client is tough talking and physically disabled Elaine Sampson, who wants him to find her wealthy husband, Ralph Sampson, missing now for twenty-four hours, ever since he disappeared at Van Nuys Airport after having just arrived from Vegas. No one seems to like Ralph, Elaine included. She believes he is cavorting with some woman, which to her would be more a fact than a problem. Harper got the case on the recommendation of the Sampsons' lawyer and Harper's personal friend, milquetoast Albert Graves, who is unrequitedly in love with Sampson's seductive daughter, Miranda Sampson. Miranda, who Harper later states throws herself at anything "pretty in pants", also has a decidedly cold relationship with her stepmother, Elaine... Written by Huggo
Paul Newman makes an ideal Lew Harper (Lew Archer in Mcdonald's novels). And, he is in top form. The supporting cast is amazing. This includes Julie Harris, Lauren Bacall, Pamela Tiffin, Strother Martin, Arthur Hill, Robert Webber, Janet Leigh, and Shelley Winters. Leigh , in particular, makes a bit role one of the film's most memorable moments. The mystery has plenty of good plot twists and Smight direction is tight. All in all, a terrific picture.