'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 1966 movie Harper, starring Paul Newman, stands out as a significant film in the detective genre. Directed by Jack Smight, the film premiered on February 23, 1966. Distributed by Warner Bros., it is frequently recalled for its filming sites, which contributed to the vivid portrayal of the narrative.
Harper is a mystery drama that centers around private detective Lew Harper as he works through a missing persons case in Los Angeles. The movie is an adaptation of the book The Moving Target, authored by Ross Macdonald.
The movie features Paul Newman in the leading role. It additionally includes Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Arthur Hill, Janet Leigh, Pamela Tiffin, Robert Wagner, and Shelley Winters in key roles. It prominently showcased Californian spots like Malibu, Moon Fire Temple, and Los Angeles, enhancing the backdrop.
Trending
Harper: filming locations
Malibu, California
Malibu was one of the key filming locations for the film. Scenes featuring the oceanfront house of Elaine Sampson were shot along the Malibu coast. The coastal environment gave a natural backdrop that reflected the isolation and wealth associated with the character. Malibu has historically been a favored site for filmmakers because of its scenic beaches and close proximity to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles played a significant role in the film, offering multiple urban locations vital to the narrative. The hustle and scenery required for Harper's investigations were captured in downtown Los Angeles and its nearby regions. The movie gained an extra layer of realism from the city's actual landmarks and bustling streets. Los Angeles remains one of the most frequently utilized sites for movie production.
Moon Fire Temple, California
Moon Fire Temple served as an additional site for the filming of Harper. The temple, situated in the Topanga Canyon region of Los Angeles County, is renowned for its distinctive architecture and hidden location. In the movie, it acted as a compelling and moody setting, resonating with the film's motifs of intrigue and concealed motives.
The Moon Fire Temple has been featured intermittently in movies and television due to its unique appearance and setting within Southern California's natural scenery.
Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California
Hotel Bel-Air, situated at 701 Stone Canyon Road in Bel Air, Los Angeles, was used as a filming site for scenes featuring a hotel and bar in Harper. Renowned for its seclusion and tranquil environment, the hotel offered a sophisticated setting that matched the film's upscale themes.
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach served as the location for the oil field scenes in the movie. This site added to the raw aspect of the inquiry depicted in the movie. Huntington Beach has a background in oil production, which makes it an appropriate selection for these scenes.
Behind the scenes and production insights
Director Jack Smight helmed the adaptation, bringing Ross Macdonald's story to life on screen. William Goldman wrote the screenplay and later mentioned that he found confidence in his future as a screenwriter after creating the film's opening sequence. The scene where Harper re-brews coffee grounds from a trash can was the last part Goldman penned, and it created a connection between him and the audience.
Producer Jerry Gershwin played a crucial role in organizing the project. Cinematographer Conrad L. Hall sought to give the film its distinctive visual style. The production team focused on authentically depicting Southern California during the 1960s.
An interesting fact about the production pertains to the residence utilized for the Sampson estate. The crew shot scenes at Beverly House, which subsequently appeared as Jack Woltz's estate in The Godfather (1972). This property was initially owned by actress Marion Davies. The filmmakers spent $7,000 on renovations, and Horace G. Brown, the late Davies' husband, received an uncredited part as a bartender.
The vehicle that Paul Newman drove in the film, a 356 Speedster, was among just 140 produced. Completely restored versions of this vehicle have since fetched approximately $300,000 at auction.
According to IMDb, years after the film was released, Paul Newman and Shelley Winters appeared together on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. When Carson asked Winters whether she and Newman had collaborated, she incorrectly replied that they had not. Newman reacted in astonishment, recalling their experience filming the movie.
"What was I in Harper? Chopped liver? I made love to you for three days," he said.
Harper merges aspects of classic detective tales with a contemporary awareness of its era. Jack Smight's direction sought to present Harper as a more relatable and imperfect character than previous representations of private investigators. The film thematically examined corruption, loyalty, and individual failure.
