Harvey by Henry Koster (1950)
3 January 2007One of the all time American classics, and with good reason. This film is remarkable and exceptional with a perfect performance by James Stewart. This film brings out the wonder of life, and is a must see for all. I set my TIVO to tape it, and couldn’t be more happy that I did. This film just makes you feel good to be alive. On of the best films ever made.
James Stewart plays Elwood P. Dowd, a man who was once smart, and is now pleasant, and whose best friend is a pooka, a 6′ 3″ tall White Rabbit that only he can see. His sister Veta Louise Simmons (Josephone Hull) and her daughter Myrtle (Victoria Horne) are sick of being embarrassed by Elwood, and Harvey the rabbit so along with Judge Gaffney (WIlliam H. Lynn) they conspire to get power of attorney and take over Elwood’s money and have him committed.
REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…
Elwood is the kindest of people. Spending his time with Harvey at bars, drinking and talking to and helping people, and inviting people over for dinner. Well it is too much for his sister, so she brings him to an institution.
The younger doctor on duty Dr. Sanderson (Charles Drake) and his girlfriend the nurse Miss Kelly (Peggy Dow) bring Elwood upstairs, but when Veta confides to the doctor that she has seen Harvey too, Sanderson assumes that she is the crazy one and has her committed. The 2 are then charmed by Elwood and make a date with him for drinks, and let him go. When they realize their mistake they notify their boss Dr. Chumley (Cecil Kellaway) and with the orderly Wilson (Jesse Wilson) they head out looking for Elwood. Wilson starts to get chummy with Myrtle, and finally Sanderson and Kelly find Elwood at the bar. It seems Chumley found him first, but Chumley left with Harvey. No one believes Elwood, and they take him back to the institute, but back at the institute Chumley is out of it, and talks to Elwood. It seems he does see Harvey, and realizes he is magical and can even stop time, but he hands the case back over to Sanderson who has re-hired.
Elwood listens to his sister and agrees with Sanderson to take the medication that will make him stop seeing Harvey, he agrees to please his sister, but while he is in the office, the taxi driver comes in and wants his money, and her money and the judges is gone, so she must get Elwood out. He pays, and invites the driver for dinner, then goes back in to get his shot. The taxi driver tells Veta about all the people he has driven to get this shot, and how they were such pleasant people before, and money grubbing and normal afterwards, and she stops Elwood from getting the shops. Elwood goes out with Harvey to live with his sister but Chumley asks for Harvey to stay with him, and Elwood agrees, but he comes out and meets up with him because he would rather be with Elwood.
•••••
Such a wonderful film. Lovely and lyrical!
Feedback
You must be logged in to post a comment.