Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Member since:07.12.2002
Reviews:261
Members who trust:778
What qualities do you look for in a best friend? Someone who will listen to you unjudgementally, be there when they you need them, share in the ups and downs of your life and to have a bit of fun with? Well Elwood P. Dowd has a friend who does all this and more. He is a fortunate man. The only problem is that his friend Harvey is an invisible 6’3 ¾” rabbit.
The film, Harvey, was made in 1950 not long after the end of the Second World War. It is an enjoyable bit of fantasy and make-believe. With all the potential horrors of real-life, the film is a delight of escapism. As Elwood himself puts it, "I wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, and I'm happy to say I won out over it.” The opening scene establishes Elwood’s carefree approach to life. He enters through his front gate, holding it open for Harvey to come through of course, and is met by the postman who greets him with "It's a beautiful day.” "Every day's a beautiful day," replies Elwood before tearing the letter throwing the pieces to the wind.
Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) is an affable charmer who enjoys a little drink now and again. He creates his own world aided and abetted by Harvey. Harvey, is not only a friend, he is a pooka, in old Celtic mythology a fairy spirit in animal form, a harmless but mischievous creature. To add to his problems, only Elwood can see him. So when Harvey gets up to his tricks and Elwood ticks him off, Elwood is considered to be a little crazy. This is somewhat embarrassing for his sister, Vita Louise Simmons (Josephine Hull), who is trying to marry off her daughter, Myrtle Mae (Victoria Horne).
What is a sister to do? The best option is to place Elwood in an Asylum where he will be looked after. So she arranges for him to be taken to a home run by Drs Chumley (Cecil Kellaway) and Sanderson (Charles Drake). In a great mix-up, Vita is taken instead. A tongue in the cheek satire on mental institutions and therapies follows. The taxi driver sums it up with his statement about when he takes patients into the asylum they talk about sunsets even when it is raining but when he brings them out, the now cured patients shout and demand just like ordinary people.
Watch the film to find out what happens next. Will Vita be released from care, will Myrtle May marry, will Elwood keep his old friend, and is Harvey real or not?
Based on a play by Mary Chase. Josephine Hull also successfully played the part of the sister on the stage and is so fitted to the role. An experienced veteran actress mainly remembered for her part in the equally enjoyable “Arsenic and Old Lace”, Hull won and well-deserved Oscar for her role.
Stewart acted alongside her for a brief period on the stage and is reported to have requested the part in the film. He later said that Harvey was his favourite film although he felt he played the Dowd “too nice”. Personally, I don’t think he did. He played the part in his easy-going laid-back style. His drunks are magnificent. They are not offensive or disturbing but pleasantly charming drunk. As Elwood explains to psychiatrist, "My mother used to say to me, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant”.
Directed by Henry Koster who keeps the action moving at a comfortable pace. The dialogue is sharp and well timed. Koster maintained the magic of Harvey on and off set. A chair was allocated for Harvey when not filming and he is mentioned in the credits as playing himself.
The film was released on DVD on 18th August 2003 for the price of £9.99. It is complete with a seven-minute introduction by Stewart, cast and director biographies and an original theatrical trailer.
The film is a treasure. Do watch it. The film may not be particularly smart but it is pleasant and like Elwood, I heartily recommend pleasant.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 1956 - Comedy - Director: Joshua Logan - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray, Betty Field, Hope Lange, Eileen Heckart, Arthur O'Connell, Casey Adams, Hans Conried, Robert Bray
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
It's always a small surprise to revisit this movie and realise what a subtly dark ... more
performance James Stewart gives as an alcoholic who claims he keeps company with a six-foot-tall, invisible rabbit. As Elwood P. Dowd, the actor emits a faint whiff of de...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
![Harvey [DVD] [1950]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78514048.jpg "Harvey [DVD] [1950]")
Jul 27th, 2004
exceptional by (1%):
very helpful by (98%):
helpful by (1%):
