According to the grand rule of sequels (bigger, better, more), how do you top Conrad L Hall in making another color noir? You bring in Gordon Willis, of course! I just love his big, all consuming shadows! The way he just takes out the eye light from Joanne Woodward! The way he hides Paul Newman's face in a big half shadow when he is snooping info from that silly hooker... (Did I mention Better Call Saul in my Harper review?…

He may be cynical, he may be an asshole, he may be a lousy fighter (he is a quick shooter), he may be mean to his wife, but one thing I give to Mr. Harper and that is he can see when somebody is lying.

For me, what really puts this film on a high shelf is the cinematography - not the color palette, but the dark areas. They way Conrad L Hall creates a dimly lit area to create…