I found the character, Lew Harper, very unlikeable. I enjoyed Newman's portrayal though. Overall, found this to be an "average" dectective story.
Arthur Hill was strong as usual.
The surprise for me was Janet Leigh in her limited scenes. I thought she played off Newman excellently. I've always been surprised and suspicious that her role in pyscho trapped her into B roles. She seems to have talent which should have overcome that. What really happened?
I guess she just tired of making films and concentrated on the family instead. I haven't read any gossip or heard about any conflicts or clashes, but I don't know. After the mid-60's, she mostly did tv-work, and occasional appearances for friends and family. I guess she seemed happy and content with it, it doesn't have to be more complicated than that.
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Her marriage to Bob Brandt had a lot to do with it. He wanted her to spend time with him and she wanted to spend more time with her children.
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To be honest nothing would have changed to Harper's narrative if Janet Leigh's character had been written out. The scenes between them, although well acted did nothing for the narrative.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
I haven't seen the movie, but I just finished reading the book. 'Mrs. Harper'("Archer") makes no appearance in the book at all. So you'd have to write out someone who has been written in.
That reminds me of something someone told me about Coke (the soft drink). They said that during the process of making Coke they ADD caffeine. So, when they came out with Caffeine free Coke, they didn't have to remove anything, they just didn't add it. Not sure how true that is, but it's kind of similar. Maybe it's interesting. Probably not. Forget I said it.