Reality... I finally won out over it
 Feb 15th, 2007
Advantages:
Very very witty, a perceptive comment on human nature .
Disadvantages:
None, unless you mind black and white
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to similar films?
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  sgjenning
About me:
I got a diamond!!!!!
(Picks jaw up off floor ...)
Thanks people!
Member since:04.07.2006
Reviews:16
Review rated by 17 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
This film is based on a very successful Broadway play by Mary Chase, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. The adaptation is entirely successful, which is something not many stage-to-screen adaptations can claim. 'Harvey' is the gentle, funny yet poignant tale of Elwood P. Dowd, a man who drinks too many Martinis, and claims to be friends with a 6-foot-plus tall rabbit. Not only this, but Elwood insists on introducing everyone he meets to Harvey, which causes many people to suddenly find a pressing reason to be somewhere else.
The film is obviously somewhat dated, having been made over 55 years ago, but I feel it has a timeless quality about it which makes it as fresh and enjoyable now as it must have been when it was first made. One aspect of the film that I particularly enjoy is that, unlike most modern films, there is no attempt to show Harvey, save for the wonderful acting of James Stewart, and by the use of a door or two opening unexpectedly. The film begins with a list of cast etc (as was the custom at that time) which lasts just a minute. The action then begins with Elwood P Dowd coming down the steps from his house, and through his interaction
with the invisible Harvey and the local postman we learn of his eccentric character.
The next scene fills out our knowledge of Elwood's character through conversation between Elwood's sister (Veta) and niece (Myrtle). This is absolutely brilliantly done, as the dialogue is completely natural. You're never left with the feeling that the dialogue is there only as 'this is the story so far'. The three major characters - Elwood, Veta and Myrtle - are succinctly portrayed, and come across as fully believable. Veta and Myrtle, who live with Elwood under the terms of his mother's will, are painfully embarrassed by his eccentricities. Veta blames Elwood for chasing away all her friends, while Myrtle holds her uncle responsible for her lack of romance. The two women decide the only solution to their frustrations is to have Elwood committed to the local sanatorium. Once there, due to Veta's distress, the doctor mistakenly admits her and allows Elwood to leave: the ensuing chaos allows all the characters - and the audience - to learn a lot about their own prejudices and to value Elwood exactly as he is. We're also left wondering - just a little - whether Harvey really is imaginary after all.
It is a very funny film, and also has a couple of very poignant moments, so you will find yourself both laughing out loud and swallowing hard! It is also a fascinating insight into 1950s culture. Some favourite moments:
Myrtle saying, "Mother, people get run over by trucks every day, why can't something like that happen to Uncle Elwood?!" ... Veta & Myrtle having a conversation about Elwood which is punctuated by the frequent entrance and exit of a servant ...
A rather large lady singing 'hop-hop-hop-hop-hippity-hop' while jigging up and down ... The scene at the Sanitorium where the Doctor admits Veta instead of Elwood ...
Elwood introducing himself to everyone he meets - 'Here, let me give you one of my cards' - and inviting them to dinner ... 'nobody ever brings anything small into a bar ...' - Elwood explains how people talk to him & tell him their troubles.
Dr Chumley drunk, then pouring out his heart to Elwood. The final credits - "Harvey - as himself".
Cast list (main characters only):
James Stewart .... Elwood P. Dowd (A wonderfully understated performance).
Josephine Hull .... Veta Louise Simmons (Also brilliant - she quite rightly won an Oscar for this role).
Peggy Dow .... Miss Kelly
Charles Drake .... Dr. Sanderson
Cecil Kellaway .... Dr. Chumley
Victoria Horne .... Myrtle Mae Simmons
Jesse White .... Wilson
William H. Lynn .... Judge Gaffney (as William Lynn)
The disc offers the opportunity to watch the film in no less than five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
It also has subtitles & secondary subtitles (this means you can have two subtitles running at the same time, one at the top and one at the bottom of the screen) in the following languages - English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Subpicture 11, Subpicture 12, Arabic, Russian, Turkish and Greek! There is one bonus feature: a 'special introduction by James Stewart with photographic montage' - recorded March 8, 1990. (7 minutes)
The disc also includes the original movie trailer. (1 1/2 minutes) I would highly recommend this film to absolutely anyone , as I believe it will appeal to all ages.
I bought it for less than £7 (part of a deal - 3 for £20) in BhS, but would recommend it at a higher price. It's a real gem.
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Harvey (1950) DVD
James Stewart stars as Elwood P. Dowd a wealthy alcoholic whose sunny ...
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Harvey [DVD] [1950]
It's always a small surprise to revisit this movie and realise what a subtly ...
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by (6%):
17.02.2007 11:22
good review. JUles.
16.02.2007 00:38
Cracking Review