Lew Harper Collection

The Lew Harper Collection comprises two mystery films released between 1966 and 1975. The collection centers on the character of Lew Harper, a private investigator, portrayed by Paul Newman. The initial film, Harper (1966), was based on Ross Macdonald's novel The Moving Target, with the screenplay adapted by William Goldman. This film features an ensemble cast including Robert Wagner, Julie Harris, Janet Leigh, Shelley Winters, and Arthur Hill. Harper is notable for its stylistic homage to classic detective films, particularly those starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe. This connection is evident in the casting of Lauren Bacall, Bogart's widow, in a role reminiscent of General Sternwood from The Big Sleep. The collection concludes with The Drowning Pool (1975), in which Newman reprised his role as Lew Harper. The two films within the collection have a total runtime of 230 minutes and a reported budget of $6,200,000, with total revenue of $14,600,000. Harper alone generated $12,000,000 in revenue, while The Drowning Pool brought in $2,600,000.