H...is for Harvey

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

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.

I hope you have enjoyed this movie at least once in your lifetime...it is worth it, I guarantee it!

(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.

H is for...Hero's

Hero is defined as...a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.


Jesus Christ...Died on the cross to save a wretch like me.
Soldiers...Anyone who fought or is fighting for my freedom, is a hero to me.
My Hubby...He is a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. (According to dictionary.com) At least that is what his heroism is to me.
My Cousin...She is a single mom, works full time and is fighting cancer, that sums up courage to me.
My Mama...She has gone through a tragedy and come out the other side better off because of it.

I really wanted to talk about these hero's because they make my life worth living well.

Jesus Christ laid down his life for me, not only that but he took a beating, was spit on, and suffered enormously so that I could partake in eternal life.


Many soldiers have fought and given their lives for the very freedom I enjoy today, some are still fighting. Thank you just does not seem enough, so I try to support them at every opportunity.


My hubby has been there for me every step of the way in our marriage, but little did he know that the "in sickness" part would come after we had 4 small children to care for. He has stuck with me through it all, he worked full time and took care of the house, cooking when he had to, and of course taking care of me.


My cousin, is an inspiration to me. She is a full time single mom, works full time, and is fighting cancer...full time. She is truly a hero in my book.

My mama went through a heart wrenching divorce after almost 30 years of marriage. She was lost and fading fast in the beginning. I was the one to go in and pick up all the shattered pieces of her life and help her begin to put it together again. Her and I never were real close when I was a teenager, but this changed everything. Suddenly we were forced almost to put our differences aside and move to a different place in the relationship, she is now one of my very best friends, and one of my hero's.


Please go by tossing it out and check out all the other wonderful bloggers in the Challenge, you won't be disappointed, I promise. You never know, you might find a hero or two yourself.