That's right I said Harvey! This is a favorite character of my very favorite actor James Stewart.
This is a whimsical movie about a local drunk and his invisible 6' 3 1/2" pooka (mischievous Irish spirit). James Stewart plays the part of Elwood P. Dowd, who's sunny philosophy and drunken antics are tolerated by the townsfolk Although people are certain Elwood has finally lost his mind, Harvey's presence seems to have a magical & positive effect on the people of the town except his sister, Veta Louise Simmons (played by Josephine Hull) who also occasionally sees Harvey.
Veta tries to have Elwood committed to an insane asylum but is somehow admitted herself. (In exasperation, she admits to the attending psychiatrist, Dr. Lyman Sanderson (Charles Drake)
that, after so many years of putting up with the invisible rabbit, she
sees Harvey every once in a while. This causes Dr. Sanderson to let
Elwood out and lock Veta up.) Towards the end, the institutions director, Dr. Chumley (Cecil Kellaway) begins to see Harvey as well. Here is Elwood's philosophy on life handed down by his mother...
"Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" – she always called me Elwood – "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."
This movie was released Oct. 13, 1950.
Trivia
Although James Stewart
is 6'4'', he refers to Harvey as being 6'3 1/2'' tall in the film and
looks up at him during the entire film. That's because this is Harvey's
height in the original play by Mary Chase. In a 1990 interview, Stewart said that he had decided that for the
film, Harvey was going to be 6'8'', so that he could indeed look up at
him.
(Sources are here, here and here)
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
Run To Live...Live To Run
© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.
7 comments:
Hello! Stopping by for the A to Z Challenge. I've never heard of the movie, Harvey. Will have to see if my husband has ever seen it. Have a wonderful day!
Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
I will have to find a copy of that movie and check it out; my family enjoys watching some of the old movies. Visiting via A to Z Challenge.
I've heard of it, but I've never actually seen it. But I do love Jimmy Stewart! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.
It's nice to meet you, Shannon. I'm a new follower via the A to Z.
I have never heard of that one. I'll need to check it out :)
Visiting from A to Z :)
I never saw the movie, but I do remember the character of Harvey being discussed somewhere when I was doing my undergrad studies in university. (Or was it high school?)
And the quote from Stewart: in my imagination a can clearly hear him saying that.
Thanks for the fun!
big fan of mr. stewart--i will look for this one--i have always heard how good it was!
I loved that movie as a kid. I remember when my local theater guild put it on and I enjoyed it just as much.
I am trying to read all the A to Z blogs, but coming back to the ones I really like.
Looking forward to seeing what you do all month!
Tim
The Other Side
The Freedom of Nonbelief
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