Harvey is a
1950 filmThe year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue
...
based on
Mary ChaseMary Coyle Chase was an American journalist, playwright and screenwriter, known primarily for writing the Broadway play Harvey, later adapted for film starring James Stewart...
's
Pulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize for Drama was first awarded in 1918.From 1918 to 2006, the Drama Prize was unlike the majority of the other Pulitzer Prizes: during these years, the eligibility period for the drama prize ran from March 2 to March 1, to reflect the Broadway 'season' rather than being the calendar...
-winning
play of the same nameHarvey is a 1944 play by American playwright Mary Chase. Directed by Antoinette Perry, the play premiered on 1 November 1944 at the 48th Street Theatre on Broadway where it was staged for 1,775 performances before closing on January 15 1949. The original production was directed by Antoinette Perry...
, directed by
Henry KosterHenry Koster was born Herman Kosterlitz in Berlin, Germany. He became a film director and later moved to Hollywood. Koster's father, a salesman, left home when Henry was a young man...
, and starring
James StewartJames Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart was an American film and stage actor, best known for his self-effacing persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime...
and
Josephine HullJosephine Hull was an American actress. She had a successful 50-year career on stage while taking some of her better known roles to film.-Background:Hull was born Josephine Sherwood in Newtonville, Massachusetts...
. The story is about a man whose best friend is a
"pooka"The Púca , is a creature of Celtic folklore, notably in Ireland, the West of Scotland and Wales...
named Harvey—in the form of a six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall rabbit.
- Elwood P. Dowd: James Stewart
James Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart was an American film and stage actor, best known for his self-effacing persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime...
- Veta Louise Simmons: Josephine Hull
Josephine Hull was an American actress. She had a successful 50-year career on stage while taking some of her better known roles to film.-Background:Hull was born Josephine Sherwood in Newtonville, Massachusetts...
- Miss Kelly: Peggy Dow
- Dr. Lyman Sanderson: Charles Drake
Charles Drake was an American actor.-Biography:...
- Dr. Willie Chumley: Cecil Kellaway
Cecil Kellaway , born in Cape Town, South Africa, was a character actor.Cecil Kellaway spent many years as an actor, author and director in the Australian film industry until he tried his luck in Hollywood in the 1930s. Finding he could get only gangster bit parts, he got discouraged and returned...
- Judge Gaffney: William H.
Harvey is a
1950 filmThe year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue
...
based on
Mary ChaseMary Coyle Chase was an American journalist, playwright and screenwriter, known primarily for writing the Broadway play Harvey, later adapted for film starring James Stewart...
's
Pulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize for Drama was first awarded in 1918.From 1918 to 2006, the Drama Prize was unlike the majority of the other Pulitzer Prizes: during these years, the eligibility period for the drama prize ran from March 2 to March 1, to reflect the Broadway 'season' rather than being the calendar...
-winning
play of the same nameHarvey is a 1944 play by American playwright Mary Chase. Directed by Antoinette Perry, the play premiered on 1 November 1944 at the 48th Street Theatre on Broadway where it was staged for 1,775 performances before closing on January 15 1949. The original production was directed by Antoinette Perry...
, directed by
Henry KosterHenry Koster was born Herman Kosterlitz in Berlin, Germany. He became a film director and later moved to Hollywood. Koster's father, a salesman, left home when Henry was a young man...
, and starring
James StewartJames Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart was an American film and stage actor, best known for his self-effacing persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime...
and
Josephine HullJosephine Hull was an American actress. She had a successful 50-year career on stage while taking some of her better known roles to film.-Background:Hull was born Josephine Sherwood in Newtonville, Massachusetts...
. The story is about a man whose best friend is a
"pooka"The Púca , is a creature of Celtic folklore, notably in Ireland, the West of Scotland and Wales...
named Harvey—in the form of a six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall rabbit.
Cast
- Elwood P. Dowd: James Stewart
James Maitland "Jimmy" Stewart was an American film and stage actor, best known for his self-effacing persona. Over the course of his career, he starred in many films widely considered classics and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one in competition and receiving one Lifetime...
- Veta Louise Simmons: Josephine Hull
Josephine Hull was an American actress. She had a successful 50-year career on stage while taking some of her better known roles to film.-Background:Hull was born Josephine Sherwood in Newtonville, Massachusetts...
- Miss Kelly: Peggy Dow
- Dr. Lyman Sanderson: Charles Drake
Charles Drake was an American actor.-Biography:...
- Dr. Willie Chumley: Cecil Kellaway
Cecil Kellaway , born in Cape Town, South Africa, was a character actor.Cecil Kellaway spent many years as an actor, author and director in the Australian film industry until he tried his luck in Hollywood in the 1930s. Finding he could get only gangster bit parts, he got discouraged and returned...
- Judge Gaffney: William H. Lynn
- Myrtle Mae Simmons: Victoria Horne
Victoria Horne was an American character-actress, appearing in 49 films during the 1940s and 1950s....
- Marvin Wilson: Jesse White
Jesse White was an American television, film, and stage character actor. He is best remembered for portraying the Maytag repairman in television commercials, a role he played from 1967 to 1988.-Life and career:...
- Cab Driver: Wallace Ford
Wallace Ford was an English-born American movie and television actor who, with his friendly appearance and stocky build later in life, appeared in a number of movie westerns and B-movies....
- Mrs. Chumley: Nana Bryant
Nana Bryant was an American film actress. She appeared in over 100 films between 1935 and 1955.She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died in Hollywood, California...
- Mrs. Chauvenet: Grayce Mills
- Harvey: Himself
Plot
Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart) is a middle-aged, amiable (and somewhat eccentric) individual whose best friend is an invisible six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall
rabbitRabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. There are seven different genera in the family classified as rabbits, including the European rabbit , Cottontail rabbit , and the Amami rabbit...
named Harvey. As described by Dowd, Harvey is a
pookaThe Púca , is a creature of Celtic folklore, notably in Ireland, the West of Scotland and Wales...
, a benign but mischievous creature from
Celtic mythologyCeltic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure...
who is especially fond of social outcasts (like Elwood). Elwood has driven his sister and niece (who live with him and crave normality and a place in 'society') to distraction by introducing everyone he meets to his friend, Harvey. His family seems to be unsure whether Dowd's obsession with Harvey is a product of his (admitted) propensity to drink or perhaps
mental illnessA mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture. The recognition and understanding of mental disorders has changed over time and...
.
His sister, Veta Louise Simmons (Hull), tries to have Elwood committed to a
sanatoriumA sanatorium is a medical facility for long-term illness, typically tuberculosis. A distinction is sometimes made between "sanitarium" and "sanatorium" .-History:The rationale for sanatoria was that before antibiotic treatments existed, a regimen of rest and good...
. In exasperation, she admits to the attending
psychiatristA psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry and is certified in treating mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
(Dr. Lyman Sanderson, played by 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. After sorting out the mistake, Dr. Chumley, head of the sanatorium (Cecil Kellaway) decides that to save the reputation of the sanatorium he must bring Elwood back. At one point, faced by many trials she does not understand, Veta says to her daughter "Myrtle Mae, you have a lot to learn and I hope you never learn it."
When tracked down, Elwood goes through several ordeals, although he remains largely oblivious to the plans put in place for him by Dr. Chumley, Judge Gaffney (William Lynn) and Veta Louise. In a poignant scene where Dr. Sanderson and his nurse Miss Kelly (Peggy Dow) follow Elwood into an alley at the back of his and Harvey's favourite bar - Charlie's, Elwood tells the incredible story of how he came to meet Harvey, and explains the way in which people react when they meet them. In a later scene, he gives Dr. Chumley an insight into his
'philosophy' of lifePhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing these questions by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on reasoned...
.
In the final scene of the film, Elwood (along with everybody else) arrives back at the hospital. By this point, Dr. Chumley is not only convinced of Harvey's existence, but has begun hanging out with him on his own, with a mixture of admiration and fear.
Dr. Sanderson convinces Elwood to come into his office where he'll receive a
serumA drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
that will stop Dowd from "seeing the rabbit". As they are preparing for the injection, Elwood's sister is told by their cab driver about all the other people he has driven to the sanatorium to receive the same medicine, warning her that Elwood will become "just a normal human being. And you know what stinkers they are." Upset by the very thought of this, Veta halts the procedure by banging on the examining room door, at which point Elwood comforts her and explains her tears to others with, "Veta's had a big day."
At the tale's end Harvey is given the choice of remaining with Dr. Chumley (and spending two weeks with him in
Akron, OhioAkron is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. In 2008, its population was estimated to be 207,510. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland to the north and Canton to the south, approximately 60 miles west of...
) or continuing his life with Elwood. The rabbit catches up with Elwood at the exit to the sanatorium, the gate is seen opening as Harvey follows the others out.
Honors
Hull's performance earned her an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress; Stewart's portrayal earned him a
Best Actor Oscar nominationPerformance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
. Stewart later declared in an interview that Hull had the most difficult role in the film, since she had to believe and
not believe in the invisible rabbit... at the same time.
This film was ranked #35 on
AFI's 100 Years... 100 LaughsPart of the AFI 100 Years… series, AFI's 100 Years…100 Laughs is a list of the top 100 comedy movies in American cinema. A wide variety of comedies were nominated for the distinction that included slapstick comedy, romantic comedy, satire, black comedy, musical comedy, comedy of manners and comedy...
.
In June 2008, AFI revealed its "
Ten top TenAFI's 10 Top 10 honors the ten greatest American films in ten classic film genres. Presented by the American Film Institute , the lists were unveiled on a television special broadcast by CBS on June 17, 2008....
"—the best ten films in ten "classic" American film genres—after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community.
Harvey was acknowledged as the seventh best film in the fantasy genre.
American Film InstituteThe American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
recognition
- 2000: AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs
Part of the AFI 100 Years… series, AFI's 100 Years…100 Laughs is a list of the top 100 comedy movies in American cinema. A wide variety of comedies were nominated for the distinction that included slapstick comedy, romantic comedy, satire, black comedy, musical comedy, comedy of manners and comedy...
#35
- 2008: AFI's 10 Top 10
AFI's 10 Top 10 honors the ten greatest American films in ten classic film genres. Presented by the American Film Institute , the lists were unveiled on a television special broadcast by CBS on June 17, 2008....
#7 Fantasy
Remakes and other uses
The play/film was
made for televisionA television movie is a feature film that is produced for and originally distributed by a...
several times:
- 1958
The year 1958 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1958.-Events:*January 14 - TWW, the first ITV franchise for South Wales and West of England, went on the air....
, in a version starring Art CarneyArthur William Matthew “Art” Carney was an American actor in film, stage, television and radio. Carney portrayed the upstairs neighbor and sewer worker Ed Norton, opposite Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden in the situation comedy The Honeymooners.-Personal life:Carney, youngest of six sons , was...
as Elwood.
- 1970
The year 1970 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1970.For the American TV schedule, see: 1970-71 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, in a version for West German television, with Heinz RühmannHeinrich Wilhelm "Heinz" Rühmann was a popular German film actor.- Life and Work :Rühmann was born in Essen, Rhineland....
as Elwood.
- 1972
The year 1972 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1972.For the American TV schedule, see: 1972-73 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, in a version also starring James Stewart-Actors:*James Stewart , Hollywood movie actor and USAF brigadier general*Stewart Granger , English actor born "James Leblanche Stewart" who changed his name to avoid confusion...
and featuring Helen HayesHelen Hayes was an American actress whose career spanned almost 70 years. She eventually garnered the nickname "First Lady of the American Theatre" and was one of only ten people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award...
as his sister Veta.
- 1985
The year 1985 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1985.For the American TV schedule, see: 1985-86 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
, in a version for West German television, with Harald JuhnkeHarald Juhnke , actually Harry Heinz Herbert Juhnke, was a well-known German actor, comedian and entertainer.-Life:...
as Elwood and Elisabeth Wiedemann as Veta.
- 1998
The year 1998 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1998.For the American TV schedule, see: 1998-99 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
, starring Harry Anderson and Swoosie KurtzSwoosie Kurtz is an American actress. She began her career in theater during the 1970s and shortly thereafter began a career in television, garnering ten nominations and winning one Emmy Award. Her most famous television project was her role on the 1990s NBC drama Sisters...
in the Elwood and Veta roles.
In August 2009 it was announced that
Steven SpielbergSteven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, and film producer. In a career of over four decades, Spielberg's films have touched on many themes and genres. Spielberg's early sci-fi and adventure films, sometimes centering on children, were seen as an archetype of modern...
is to direct a remake of the film, with production beginning in 2010. The film will be a co-production between 20th Century Fox and Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios. Novelist
Jonathan TropperJonathan Tropper is an American writer and a Professor of English at Manhattanville College.Tropper's book, How To Talk To A Widower, was the 2007 selection for the Richard and Judy Show in the United Kingdom. Everything Changes was a Booksense selection. Three of Tropper's books are currently...
has written the adaptation for the new version. No casting is in place yet, but pre-production is to begin immediately, with filming set to begin after the first of the year as a joint venture between
DreamWorksDreamWorks, LLC, also known as DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games, and television programming. It has produced or distributed more than ten films with box-office grosses...
and Fox.
In addition, the Jimmy Stewart Museum, based in Stewart's hometown of
Indiana, PennsylvaniaIndiana is a borough in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States, part of the Pittsburgh DMA. The population was 14,895 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Indiana County....
, presents the Harvey Award to a distinguished celebrity tied to Jimmy Stewart's spirit of humanitarianism. Past recipients include
Robert WagnerRobert John Wagner is an American film and television actor of stage and screen, who starred in movies, soap operas and television...
,
Shirley JonesShirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. She starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma!, Carousel, and The Music Man. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing a prostitute in Elmer...
,
Janet LeighJanet Leigh was an American actress.Discovered by the actress Norma Shearer, Leigh secured a contract with MGM and began her film career in the late 1940s...
, and
Rich LittleRichard Caruthers "Rich" Little is a Canadian impressionist and voice actor. Little has long been known as a top impersonator of famous people throughout the world, which has earned him the nickname "The Man of a Thousand Voices," a name which notable voice actor Mel Blanc once held.-Early...
.
External links
- Transcript of a July 1997 memorial for Stewart from The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer is an evening television news program broadcast weeknights on PBS in the United States. Unlike most other evening newscasts in the country, each edition is an hour long. The program also runs longer segments than most other news outlets in the U.S., with in-depth...
, which includes scenes from and commentary on Harvey