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Harvey
1950
Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) is a good-natured, slightly sloshed man whose faithful companion Harvey is a 6-foot-3-inch rabbit that only he can see. When his sister Veta (Josephine Hull) tries to have him committed, she's taken in instead--and it's up to Elwood and Harvey to straighten out the mess. Based on Mary Chase's .. Read more
| Starring | James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Victoria Horne, Peggy Dow |
|---|---|
| Director | Henry Koster |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Harvey
Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) is a good-natured, slightly sloshed man whose faithful companion Harvey is a 6-foot-3-inch rabbit that only he can see. When his sister Veta (Josephine Hull) tries to have him committed, she's taken in instead--and it's up to Elwood and Harvey to straighten out the mess. Based on Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, HARVEY's sweetness and humanity--as well as Stewart's trademark amiability--has made it one of the most beloved films of all time.
| Starring | James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Victoria Horne, Peggy Dow, Cecil Kellaway, Charles Drake, Jesse White, Wallace Ford, Nana Bryant |
|---|---|
| Director | Henry Koster |
| Studio | UCA |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 47 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 18 Aug 2003 Production year: 1950 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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James Stewart gives a knockout performance in a classic comic fantasy about tipsy Elwood P Dowd and his unusual friendship with Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall white rabbit. This is superb whimsy about the fine line between sanity and insanity, and Henry Koster directs this loving tribute to eccentricity and bar-room philosophy with a deft touch. Alongside the satiric misunderstandings, character mix-ups and revitalised clichés come poignant comments about humanity's lack of communication, which touch both the funny bone and the heart. It's guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face for ages afterwards.
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An amiably batty play with splendid lines is here transferred virtually intact to the screen and survives superbly thanks to understanding by all concerned, though the star is as yet too young for a role which he later made his own.
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Most helpful member's review
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43 out of 46 people found this review helpful
Simply brilliant
I wasn't sure what to expect, when I rented Harvey. I'd seen it in a local shop, but hadn't wanted to buy it without seeing it first! I was attracted by the fact that some aspects of it almost seemed to resemble Donnie Darko (which is fantastic).
Well, now I've seen it, I can say that it's nothing at all like Donnie Darko, other than the fact that the main characters have large imaginary (or are they?) friends who are rabbits. Harvey is a charming film from start to finish, with James Stewart doing an outstanding job in the leading role.
Harvey tells the story of Elwood P Dowd who has an invisible friend - Harvey - a 6 ft tall rabbit. When his antics begin to get to his sister, Veta, she decides it's time to have Elwood committed. The consequences of this are funny, moving and though-provoking. Elwood is possibly one of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure to meet, and the rest of the characters are brilliantly played.
This film also looks great, considering it was made in 1950 - the picture is crisp and clear and nice to look at.
If you're expecting an intense, disjointed, psychological film like Donnie Darko, Harvey's not it. Harvey's fun, lighthearted, and just... really really nice. Give it a go, I think you'll like it. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Instant favourite
I'll probably buy this somepoint in the future and add it to my DVD collection. This is a lovely story of a small town loony who at the same time his is most pleasant person you could hope to meet.
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News and features
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Lars and the Real Girl
- 10 Mar 2008
It's not unusual for children to have imaginary friends. Parents usually take an indulgent - if uneasy - view of such a fantasy, confident that it will soon pass. The Orphanage and The Spiderwick Chronicles both play on just such an understanding, but in each case the imaginary has more teeth than you would expect. When it's an adult labouring under this delusion it's more disturbing - unless you're Jimmy Stewart and your pal is a six foot white rabbit answering to the name of "Harvey". Lars (R Read more
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