Harvey poster & wallpaper

Cecil Kellaway, Charles Drake, James Stewart

The classic fantasy/comedy based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play starring James Stewart in one of his finest performances as the good-natured Elwood P. Dowd, whose constant companion is Harvey, a s...( read more  read more... )ix-foot tall rabbit that only he can see. When Elwood's sister Veta Louise reluctantly decides to have him committed to a mental hospital, a wonderously funny turn of events occurs.

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93% liked it

32,711 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

16 critics

Unrated, 104 min.

Directed by: Henry Koster

Release Date: June 1, 1951

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DVD Release Date: February 6, 2001

Stats: 2,162 reviews

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Harvey Harvey Peggy Dow, James Stewart and Minerva Urecal James Stewart Josephine Hull and Jesse White Harvey William Lynn, Josephine Hull and Victoria Horne Harvey Peggy Dow, Charles Drake and James Stewart Josephine Hull in Harvey Harvey Harvey Harvey Harvey Harvey Harvey Charles Drake and Josephine Hull Josephine Hull win Oscar
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Flixster Reviews (2,162)

  • kiriyamakazou
    December 27, 2008
    kiriyamakazou
    An absolutely charming and wonderful film. It is very lighthearted, in it's depiction of mental illness and alcoholism, but it is so good natured that it becomes a very moving film. Stewart plays the role of a lifetime. He is sweet and most of all hilarious. It's amazing that a f...( read more)ilm over 50 years old can stand up against the comedies of today in pure hilarity. It's a film that makes you smile while genuinely making you a happier person. It has some excellent morals and is never disgustingly sweet or naive. For lovers of Capra and the recent Lars and the Real Girl.
  • PvtCaboose91
    July 26, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "Harvey and I sit in the bars... have a drink or two... play the juke box. And soon the faces of all the other people they turn toward mine and they smile. And they're saying, "We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fella." Harvey and I warm ourselves in all t...( read more)hese golden moments. We've entered as strangers - soon we have friends. And they come over... and they sit with us... and they drink with us... and they talk to us. They tell about the big terrible things they've done and the big wonderful things they'll do. Their hopes, and their regrets, and their loves, and their hates. All very large, because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar. And then I introduce them to Harvey... and he's bigger and grander than anything they offer me. And when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back; but that's envy, my dear. There's a little bit of envy in the best of us."


    Actor James Stewart cultivated into a household name for playing loveable characters. Harvey is a classic in every sense of the word: it's an emotional, uplifting and comical romp that illustrates life as being all about perspective. Initially, the story found success in the manifestation of a stage production composed by Mary Chase. It's prudent to assume that a cinematic rendering of the treasured Mary Chase stage production would be a daunting and intriguing undertaking, as Chase secured a Pulitzer Prize for her writing. However the indications during pre-production were promising, with James Stewart and Josephine Hull agreeing to appear. Little did the filmmakers realise that in the decades to follow, Harvey would become a tremendously successful film: one that would frequently be regarded as superior to its source material. Although the production is somewhat dated, and there are countless flaws present in its hyperbolically pretentious screenplay, the eccentric performances elevate the screenplay and production to satisfying margins.

    The timeless story of Harvey is summed up by a simple premise that sounds boring and preposterous: a man befriends an imaginary 6-foot rabbit (6 feet, three inches to be exact). Granted, if the filmmakers did not proficiently fulfil their duties then it would have been a disaster. Due to the film's nature of never actually seeing Harvey the 6-foot rabbit, choosing an actor to fill the title role would be difficult. Thankfully, though, with veteran actor James Stewart in place, the film's proceedings are far more absorbing. It's also worth noting that one short line of dialogue delivered by the main character sums up the film's underlying morals and messages: "Nobody ever brings anything small into a bar".

    The protagonist of Harvey is a moralistic, caring man named Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart). Elwood no longer needs to work as he inherited an estate and loads of money when his mother died. Now Elwood is a semi-alcoholic who frequently warms up to everyone he meets: providing them with his card, and commonly inviting them to dinner as well. People constantly take advantage of Elwood's generosity and caring persona. Many people think he's crazy because Elwood is always accompanied by an imaginary friend named Harvey. Harvey is a "pooka": a large, invisible rabbit. In ancient Celtic mythology a pooka is a fairy spirit in animal form, a benevolent albeit mischievous creature fond of oddballs and rum pots. Elwood lives with sister Vita (Hull) and niece Myrtle Mae (Horne) who tolerate him merely for his fortune. However, they are increasingly annoyed at their social situation. Thanks to Elwood's insane nature of introducing people to Harvey, friends are quick to leave social events. Eventually they become so fed up that the mutually acquiescent decision is settled upon to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. Trouble and comedic mayhem follows...

    James Stewart is impeccable in his portrayal of Elwood. The actor is charming and charismatic like always. Josephine Hull is frequently over-the-top, but she at least has the ability to overshadow the script. Hull earned an Oscar for her portrayal. Needless to say, this Oscar is well earned! It's impossible not to be enthralled with the rest of the cast. They are all eccentric and frequently funny. In spite of this, the script is conceited and disappointing. Age has not been kind to the script. It's frequently stilted, and as a result it's sometimes very hard to follow. We are looking at some fine, charming acting but nothing further. Even with a poor screenplay, the film is still atmospheric and appealing. The messages shine through perfectly. The pace is also brisk as the film runs at about 100 minutes.

    Overall, Harvey isn't perfect but no film is. Considering the potentially disastrous outcome as this is an interpretation of a stage play, the filmmakers have done a stellar job in bringing the beloved source material to life with fantastic results. It's sweet, delightful, alluring and entertaining. Although flawed in its script, this is a quality classic that's of a standard rarely exhibited in this modern age.
  • dooritor1
    April 25, 2008
    dooritor1
    golden classic.
  • kenstachnik
    April 7, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Arguably Jimmy Stewart's finest performance
  • wellmeetagain
    April 1, 2008
    wellmeetagain
    "...in this world Elwood you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant, well for years I was smart, I recommend pleasant." A pleasant movie indeed. Thumbs up !
  • Yelverton
    November 20, 2009
    Yelverton
    I never got this film. Guess I'm not supposed to.
  • Sheiob
    November 11, 2009
    Sheiob
    Jimmy Stewart is so perfect in this role, I truly question whether he was actually acting. Full of heart and humor, this movie is truly timeless. The ending failed a little for me, but the rest of the movie was executed so flawlessly it's easily overlooked. Uplifting and hysteric...( read more)al, it makes me wish I had my own Stewart/Harvey pair living in my home.
  • hahsyslyl
    November 6, 2009
    hahsyslyl
    I love this delightful comedy! Especially the ending where Elwood meets the doctor. James Stewart is such a good actor taking care of Harvey! :)
  • whispersofecstacy
    October 31, 2009
    whispersofecstacy
    One of my favorites, and some of Jimmy Stewarts best acting.
  • SageSlowdive
    October 15, 2009
    SageSlowdive
    Pointless and awful.

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Comments

  • lucasaq
    July 11, 2008
    lucasaq
    I always loved how this was featured in Field of Dreams on the television set and Kevin Costner didn't want to see it. Classic, because he was going through something similar. James Stewart is the man.
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