A Coleytown, Inc./Turman-Foster Production, filmed on locations in Louisiana and California. Released through Warner Bros: July 1975. U.K. release: September 1975. Sydney opening at the Ascot. 108 minutes. SYNOPSIS: This sequel to "Harper" (1966) is set in New Orleans. This time, private detective Lew Archer (re-named Harper for the movies) answers the urgent call of a former romantic involvement (Joanne Woodward), who claims she is being blackmailed. Soon Newman-Harper is up against a bevy of unsavory characters. — L.J.Q.NOTES: MacDonald's first Lew Archer novel "The Moving Target" (1949) was filmed in 1966. This sequel was adapted from the second Archer novel, but any plans Hollywood may have made for big-screening the rest of MacDonald's work was shelved when this movie failed to click with either critics or public. Nonetheless, the film was actually nominated for an Edgar by the Mystery Writers of America, losing out in the voting to "Three Days of the Condor" (also co-scripted by Lorenzo Semple, Jr). COMMENT: How did the wide-wide anamorphic screen fare in the mid- 1970s? Not too well, if this film is any indication. Director Stuart Rosenberg fails to utilize Scope at all in the dialogue scenes, relying instead on lots of clumsy, TV-style close-ups. He doesn't make much use of the movie's real locations either. The result is simply that "The Drowning Pool" almost completely misses the ambiance and atmosphere of a Ross MacDonald novel.Admittedly, Rosenberg is not alone in his failure. The photographer, the composer, even the production designer offer little help. Fortunately the action spots are powerfully handled. Also on the credit side, are some compelling performances. True, Franciosa is unconvincing, but the rest of the support cast plays far more credibly. In fact, mark down especially forceful delineations from Richard Jaeckel and the three girls in the plot: Linda Haynes, Melanie Griffith and Gail Strickland. Alas, Murray Hamilton exaggerates the villainy, whilst Joanne Woodward is a little too mysteriously bland. However, here's Paul Newman playing Paul Newman again (or at least the smart talking "Cool Hand Luke" Paul Newman), and doing same with charm and effectiveness.OTHER VIEWS: The script meanders from one crisis to another. The direction is equally perfunctory, and the stars generate few sparks. The aura is that of a long, routine TV mystery melodrama... The film is mostly a tepid collection of clichés. — William Wolf in "Cue".

Paul Newman returns to the role of Lew Harper, private detective, previously seen in the 1966 film "Harper". Here Harper comes to the aid of Iris (Joanne Woodward), a former lover. It seems that Iris is being blackmailed, but as any fan of murder mysteries could expect, this story detail is really just the tip of the iceberg. Also involved are a greedy, conniving oil baron (a delicious Murray Hamilton), Iris's chilly mother in law (Coral Browne), her Lolita like daughter Schuyler (Melanie Griffith), and a none too bright ex-chauffeur (Andy Robinson). The cast also includes Anthony Franciosa and Richard Jaeckel as local detectives, Gail Strickland as the oil barons' wife, Linda Haynes as the ex-chauffeurs' gal pal, Helena Kallianiotes as his sister, and Paul Koslo as a thug. As we can see, this is a mighty fine bunch of actors, and they do a more than adequate job of keeping this thing watchable, even as it maintains a rather deliberate pace. Tracy Keenan Wynn, Lorenzo Semple Jr., and Walter Hill adapt the novel for the screen, and create a reasonably effective, absorbing mystery that succeeds in doling out amusing twists and turns. Newman as always is wonderful, playing the part of Harper with wit and style and doing particularly fine working alongside Franciosa, Hamilton, and his real-life wife Woodward. The story is set in New Orleans, but it would have been nice to have been able to savour a little more of that atmosphere inherent to the city. Michael Small composed the solid music score; the cinematography is by the great Gordon Willis. Reunited with Newman is his "Cool Hand Luke" and "Pocket Money" director Stuart Rosenberg, who creates some good suspense, at least in the most memorable scene of the film; I won't spoil it here but you will know it when you see it. All in all, fans of the genre should have a pretty good time with this. It's slickly made, if not altogether memorable, but you still can't ever really go wrong with watching Paul Newman at work. Seven out of 10.

Paul Newman reprises his role of Lew Harper in "The Drowning Pool," a 1975 film also starring Joanne Woodward, Tony Franciosa, Murray Hamilton, Gail Strickland, and Melanie Griffith.I'll say right off that I love Paul Newman, and it was amazing to see Gail Strickland and Melanie Griffith so young, but anything having to do with dogfighting means I fast-forward. Also I must have some form of night blindness because a lot of scenes were in the dark and I couldn't make them out.Anyway, Newman attempts to help an ex-girlfriend (Woodward), who is being blackmailed. Before he knows it, he's involved in the quest for an accounting book and murder, besides the blackmail. It's a complex plot with several threads joining together. I think it could have been done better. The scene where Newman and Strickland are trapped is spectacular.The performances are all good, with Newman shining as Harper. Every time I see him, I think he was at the height of his looks, and it's always a different era. Let's just say he looks great. He and Franciosa are standouts, with Woodward excellent but not having a great deal to do. Griffith is a baby, but that voice is unmistakable.All in all, a must-see for Newman fans, but if you don't like dog-fighting, get ready to fast forward. Yuck.

Private detective Lew Harper investigates a blackmail plot in Louisiana bayou country.He gets the assignment from his old flame Iris.The Drowning Pool (1975) is a sequel to Harper (1966), which I haven't seen yet.This film is directed by Stuarts Rosenberg and it's based on Ross Macdonald's novel.Tracy Keenan Wynn wrote the script.Paul Newman is very cool as Lew Harper.Joanne Woodward, who was the wife of Newman for 50 years plays Iris Devereaux.The young Melanie Griffith is her daughter Schuyler.The climax scene is really something.Harper and Kilbourne's wife Mavis are locked in a hydrotherapy room and the water starts rising to the ceiling.That and other sticky situations you can find from The Drowning Pool.