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.

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

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

Harper sounded promising -- Paul Newman in an attempt to recapture the Bogart private-eye world of The Big Sleep, with its spoiled people and overripe Southern California civilization. But it’s a despicably incompetent attempt.