Harvey

Director: Henry Koster Henry Koster

Overview

"Released in 1950, Harvey's exploration of a loveable loon who prefers hanging around bars with a giant invisible rabbit to leading a ""normal, responsible"" life remains as timely as it is entertaining. Highlighted by an utterly perfect, low-key performance by James Stewart, this delightful adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play gets a good, if not definitive, DVD release. The pristine full-screen transfer lives up to William H. Daniels' beautiful black-and-white cinematography and shows how a moody noir look enhanced this dreamy, nocturnal comedy (Daniels lensed such dark crime films as Naked City and Brute Force). The audio track has also been cleaned up in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono and, as an extra feature, Jimmy Stewart gives a lovely introduction to the movie. Harvey is the type of classic movie that viewers can watch over and over again, making it perfect for the DVD format."

Product Details

Release Date:	02/06/2001
UPC:	0025192033636
Original Release:	1950
Rating:	NR
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W, Full Frame]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:45:00
Sales rank:	1,467

Special Features

Special introduction by film star Jimmy Stewart with photographic montage; Theatrical trailer; Production notes on the making of the film; Cast and filmmakers' biographies and film highlights

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

James Stewart	Elwood P. Dowd
Josephine Hull	Veta Louise Simmons
Charles Drake	Dr. Sanderson
Jesse White	Wilson
William Lynn	Judge Gaffney
Cecil Kellaway	Dr. Chumley
Peggy Dow	Miss Kelly
Victoria Horne	Myrtle Mae
Wallace Ford	Lofgren
Nana Bryant	Mrs. Chumley
Grace Mills	Mrs. Chauvenet
Clem Bevans	Herman
Ida Moore	Mrs. McGiff
Dick Wessel	Cracker
Pat Flaherty	Policeman
Norman Leavitt	Cab Driver
Maudie Prickett	Elvira
Edwin Max	Salesman
Minerva Urecal	Nurse Dunphy
Almira Sessions	Mrs. Halsey
Anne O'Neal	Nurse
Sally Corner	Mrs. Cummings
Sam Wolfe	Minninger
Polly Bailey	Mrs. Krausmeyer
Grayce Hampton	Mrs. Strickleberger
Ruthelma Stevens	Miss LaFay
Eula Guy	Mrs. Johnson
William Val	Chauffeur
Gino Corrado	Eccentric Man
Don Brodie	Mailman
Harry Hines	Meegels
Aileen Carlyle	Mrs. Tewksbury
Frank Skinner	Composer

Technical Credits

Mary Chase

Oscar Brodney

Henry Koster	Director
Mary Chase	Screenwriter
Oscar Brodney	Screenwriter
Brock Pemberton	Producer
John Beck	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Harvey turns on the charming premise that a person would have to be crazy to be as consistently cheerful and optimistic as Elwood P. Dowd. James Stewart, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his finely tuned comic turn in this film, is relentlessly generous and sweet as the man whose best buddy is an invisible 6' 3 1/2" rabbit. Though at times slow and obvious, the film allows humor to emerge ever so gently at the expense of its targets. Elwood may be a drunk (or not -- does he ever actually take a drink?), and he may be delusional, but he is also happier, less neurotic, and more content than the so-called normal people who surround him and claim to be looking out for his best interests. By the film's end, Harvey and Elwood appear to be working their magic on everyone around them, as the world begins to share their delusion. It would not be stretching things to suggest that Harvey symbolizes spirituality, and some things, the film seems to say, just have to be taken on faith. Self-importance, snobbery, and the profession of psychiatry are among Harvey's targets, but this is no Swiftian satire. This film does not intend to cause harm or discomfort but to tease and needle its targets. Josephine Hull won an Oscar for her performance as Dowd's antagonistic sister.