HARVEY [1950 / 2012] [Universal 100th Anniversary] [Blu-ray] [UK Release]
The Wonderful Pulitzer Prize Play . . . Becomes One of The Great Motion Pictures of Our Time!
James Stewart gives one of his finest performances in this light-hearted film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play. James Stewart stars as the good-natured Elwood P. Dowd, whose constant companion is Harvey, a six-foot tall rabbit that only he can see. To his sister, Veta Louise, Elwood P. Dowd's obsession with Harvey has been a thorn in the side of her plans to marry off her daughter. But when Veta Louise decides to put Elwood in a mental hospital, a hilarious mix-up occurs and she finds herself committed instead. It's up to Elwood P. Dowd to straighten out the mess with his kindly philosophy, and his "imaginary" friend, in this popular classic that features a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award® winning performance by Josephine Hull.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1951 Academy Awards: Win: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Josephine Hull, Nomination: Best Actor in a Leading Role for James Stewart. 1951 Golden Globes: Win: Best Supporting Actress for Josephine Hull. Nomination: Best Motion Picture in a Drama. Nomination: Best Actor in Drama for James Stewart. 1951 Hugo Awards: Nomination: Best Dramatic Presentation for Henry Koster (director), Mary Chase (screenplay/based on the play), Myles Connolly (screenplay) and Oscar Brodney (screenplay).
FILM FACT No.2: In March 1990, James Stewart recorded a special narrative introduction that would be combined with many of the film's still photos, which would be added to the film's original release on the MCA Home Video VHS release of ‘HARVEY’ in 1990. This also appears on at least one DVD release of the film. James Stewart took a percentage of the profits. In 1953, William Goetz estimated that James Stewart had earned $200,000 from the film which is equivalent to $2.1 million today.
Cast: Wallace Ford, William H. Lynn, Victoria Horne, Jesse White, Cecil Kellaway, Charles Drake, Peggy Dow, Josephine Hull, James Stewart, Nana Bryant, Grayce Mills, Clem Bevans, Harvey (Harvey the Rabbit), Gertrude Astor (uncredited), Polly Bailey (uncredited), Don Brodie (uncredited), Aileen Carlyle (uncredited), Sally Corner (uncredited), Pat Flaherty (uncredited), Eula Guy (uncredited), Grayce Hampton (uncredited), Harry Hines (uncredited), Norman Leavitt (uncredited), Edwin Max (uncredited), Philo McCullough (uncredited), Anne O'Neal (uncredited), Fess Parker (Leslie the Chauffeur voice) (uncredited), Charles Perry (uncredited), Maudie Prickett (uncredited), Jean Ransome (uncredited), Almira Sessions (uncredited), Ruthelma Stevens (uncredited), Leo Sulky (uncredited), Minerva Urecal (uncredited), William Val (uncredited), Dick Wessel (uncredited) and Sam Wolfe (uncredited)
Director: Henry Koster
Producer: John Beck
Screenplay: Mary Chase (Pulitzer Prize Play/screenplay), Myles Connolly (contributor to screenplay) (uncredited) and Oscar Brodney (screenplay)
Composer: Frank Skinner
Cinematography: William H. Daniels, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: Japanese: 2.0 DTS Mono Audio
English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
French: 2.0 DTS-HD Stereo Audio
Italian: 2.0 DTS-HD Stereo Audio
German: 2.0 DTS-HD Stereo Audio
Spanish [Castilian]: 2.0 DTS-HD Stereo Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: Japanese, English SDH, French, Italian, German, Spanish [Castilian], Chinese [Traditional Mandarine], Danish, Finnish, Greek, Icelandic, Korean, Norwegian, Português and Swedish
Running Time: 104 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Universal Pictures
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘HARVEY’ [1950] is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Mary Chase, is a classic tale of relentlessly pleasant Elwood P. Dowd [James Stewart] and his best friend Harvey, a white rabbit that only Elwood P. Dowd can see. Eccentric Elwood P. Dowd lives a perfectly contented life. His happiness is enhanced by liquor and his best friend, a very tall, invisible white rabbit named Harvey, whom he loves to introduce to everyone he meets. Elwood P. Dowd never meets a stranger and is very considerate of and is interested in others, even if everyone thinks he is a bit crazy.
Elwood P. Dowd shares his home with his long-suffering sister Veta Louise Dowd Simmons [Josephine Hull] who has been very patient with him and his unusual friend. But when at a party Veta Louise Dowd Simmons introduces her daughter Myrtle Mae Simmons [Victoria Horne] to some nice people, but is disrupted by Elwood P. Dowd and Harvey, and Veta Louise Dowd Simmons is determined the best course for everyone is to have her baby brother Elwood P. Dowd committed to the local sanatorium. However, as Veta Louise Dowd Simmons proceeds along this set course there is some question over which family member is truly crazy. And Elwood P. Dowd’s genial, understanding nature brings into question if insanity is perhaps preferable to reality.
Throughout the film the character of Elwood P. Dowd, many deep questions are raised and the meaning of life is examined. One of the most important themes raised in the film is that the opinions of others and how they treat us is not nearly as important as how we treat others. Elwood P. Dowd is the perfect example of this as the suspicious glances and comments by other people follow him around constantly. Yet Elwood P. Dowd never allows this to influence his responses or interest in other people, treating everyone he meets with respect, politeness and genuine attention.
Ultimately, each of the film’s characters, including the medical professionals who come to know Elwood P. Dowd, must decide what the definition of insanity is. Is it preferable to be fully aware, worried, conflicted and miserable? Or perhaps it is better to accept something outside the norm if it makes someone a better, more of a loving individual?
The acting in this film is really exceptional and it is the skill of the actors and of course the director Henry Koster that keeps this story from veering into the utter ridiculous scenario. Instead, they create something which is utterly sincere and moving, where the character James Stewart is the affable Elwood P. Dowd. For those unfamiliar with classic films, you may remember James Stewart from appearing in the annual Christmas classic, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ James Stewart is just as lovable, charming and earnest in the film ‘HARVEY’ as he is in any other his films. James Stewart infuses Elwood P. Dowd with vulnerability and great charm which causes everyone including the audience to fall in love with Elwood P Dowd.
‘HARVEY’ originally debuted on Broadway before becoming a film and James Stewart did have the opportunity to play the part of Elwood P. Dowd on stage before bringing it to the big screen. James Stewart experience shows in the level of comfort he has playing Elwood P. Dowd and James Stewart claimed it was his favourite role of all the films he has appeared in. Another cast member from the play who appeared in the film is Josephine Hull and is absolutely brilliant as Elwood P. Dowd’s Sister Veta Louise Dowd Simmons, who doesn’t believe her brother’s best friend Harvey is real, or does she? Veta Louise Dowd Simmons is a perfect contrast to her younger brother Elwood P. Dowd, who is an emotional, nervous wreck of a woman whose grip on her own sanity may be questionable.
Although ‘HARVEY’ is a film with a deeper meaning, that doesn’t preclude it from being absolutely hysterical. And most of those funny moments come courtesy of Josephine Hull and her reactions, her facial expression, and body movements, her spontaneous comments, all elicit much laughter. If Elwood P. Dowd is the calm one, then Veta Louise Dowd Simmons is the total opposite in being like a manic storm swirling around him. Veta Louise Dowd Simmons is a character which could be easy to dismiss as utterly silly, and yet she elicits compassion and understanding too, so a bit of a contradiction I would say. No matter how many times you watch the film ‘HARVEY,’ you will experience great joy, happiness and laughter every time you view this classic Universal Pictures film, so happy viewing folks!
HARVEY MUSIC TRACK LIST
Waltz No. 1 in D-Flat Major, Op. 64, Minute Waltz (uncredited) (Music by Frédéric Chopin)
MY LOVE (uncredited) (Written by Jack Brooks)
Blu-ray Image Quality – Universal Pictures presents us with a stunning 1080p black-and-white image that is enhanced with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, which I should image looks now much better than when it was released in the cinema, as this Blu-ray image is surprisingly detailed, as the film looks totally gorgeous on this UK Blu-ray disc release. The print is in pristine shape and definitely throughout the film is no discerning or visible damage to the print and so in doing the image gives a totally lifelike level of dimension that looks equally wonderful and in so doing the majority of the presentation gives a sharp clarity, and reveals fine details in clothing and faces of the actors. The wonderful cinematography by William H. Daniels, A.S.C. is equally resolved beautifully, by highlighting good composition of image frame. What is equally good is the contrast, and the blacks and grey scales are consistent and well presented. So all in all, here is a classic film presented as a wonderful example of a classic film that has had a image presentation done right, and again the film ‘HARVEY’ looks spectacular in 1080p high definition and is free of any unnecessary processing, and the image retains it authentic and natural film-like appearance. So all in all, Universal Pictures has done this film proud.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Universal Pictures brings you one standard 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio and not stated by reviewers as Mono or what is on the printed information on the Blu-ray back cover, it has been upgraded to Stereo and has really enhanced the audio experience presentation. The dialogue is nice and clear throughout the film and so giving the audio presentation a really pleasant experience and makes the film probably sounding better than what audiences experienced in 1950 when the film was originally released. So once again, Universal Pictures has done this film proud.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Special Introduction by Film Star James Stewart with Photographic Montage [1990] [480i] [1.37:1] [7:10]. The following is a Special Narrative Introduction by James Stewart that was recorded on the 8th March, 1990. This is a really nice reminiscence by James Stewart on what the film meant to him. James Stewart intimate audio commentary plays over montages of rare black-and-white production photographs and scenes from the film. James Stewart details why the film ‘HARVEY’ is among his favourites, and discusses the story and his character. James Stewart also shares a few anecdotes about his experience working in a London production of the original play “Harvey” in 1975, which was a West End revival at the Prince of Wales Theatre, with Mona Washbourne in the role of Veta Louise Dowd Simmons. James Steart goes onto explain why Harvey the white rabbit was 6 feet and 8 inches tall. James Stewart also praises the author Mary Chase and also informs us that he did the London production for 6 months and enjoyed it immensely, especially the Saturday matinees, where the parents would bring their children to see the play, and try the explain the synopsis of the play, but unfortunately after a while the children would get restless and start running up and down the aisles of the theatre, then at one point in the second act of the play, a child would stand up and shouts out, “Where’s the rabbit.” James Stewart also informs us that playing in front of an audience was a great and enjoyable experience, and was also wonderful training. When out walking, people would stop and talk to James Stewart and ask if Harvey the rabbit was with him, and would inform them not today, as Harvey is back home with a cold. James Stewart is also very pleased how many people enjoyed the film and now even more pleased with the home video system, where they can watch the film in the comfort of their home and can watch the film whenever they want and sure hope you enjoy it.
Theatrical Trailer [1950] [480i] [1.37:1] [1:27] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘HARVEY.’ But what is really nice about this trailer is all the famous people who endorsed the film, like Louella Parsons, Walter Winchell and Hedda Hopper.
Special Feature: 100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era [2012] [1080p] [1.37:1 / 1.78:1] [8:41] With this featurette focuses on the life of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle was born Karl Lämmle (17th January, 1867 – 24th September, 1939) and regarded as one of the most important of the early film pioneers. Carl Laemmle emigrated to the United States and became a naturalized American citizen in 1884 and worked a variety of jobs, but by 1894 he was the bookkeeper of the Continental Clothing Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he introduced a bolder advertising style. In 1906, Laemmle quit his job and started one of the first motion picture theaters in Chicago, and quickly branched out into film exchange services. The year is 1912 and Carl Laemmle challenged Thomas Edison's monopoly on moving pictures under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act because of Thomas Edison’s aggressive patent-enforcement tactics, so producer Carl Laemmle sets up operation in the rural Californian sanctuary of Hollywoodland. Carl Laemmle’s life and work is the subject of this featurette, especially his creation of Universal Studios (originally the Universal Film Manufacturing Company) and the famous names and productions which emerged from that company. Archival excerpts and historical insights shed new light on ‘Dracula’ [1931]; ‘Phantom of the Opera’ [1925]; ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ [1930], and other film classics from Universal Pictures. Carl Laemmle sadly passed away from cardiovascular disease on the 24th September, 1939 in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 72. Carl Laemmle was entombed in the Chapel Mausoleum at Home of Peace Cemetery in East Los Angeles and is a dedicated Jewish cemetery. This special featurette on Carl Laemmle has of course no bearing or connection to the film 'HARVEY.’ This Carl Laemmle special featurette is of course a way of Universal Pictures feeling they want to blow their own trumpet; in saying we are the best. Contributors include: Robert S. Birchard [Author of “Early Universal City”], Steven J. Ross [Author of “Hollywood Left And Right”], Jeff Pirtle [Director, Archives & Collections of NBCUNIVERSAL], Jon Wilkman [Writer/Producer of “Moguls & Movie Stars”] and Carla Laemmle [Carl Laemmle’s Niece].
Special Feature: 100 Years of Universal: The Lew Wasserman Era [2012] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 1.37:1] [8:50] Here we have another of Universal's retrospective/promotional pieces is included, this time focusing on studio executive Lew Wasserman (22nd March, 1913 – 3rd June, 2002) who was an American talent agent and studio executive, sometimes credited with creating and later taking apart the studio system in a career spanning more than six decades. Lew Wasserman was also the manager of MCA and branched out into representing actors and actresses in addition to musicians and in the process created the star system, which drove up prices for studios. Like the previous featurette, details are given on Lew Wassserman's life and his many contributions to the cinema; and again there is no direct connection to the film 'HARVEY.’ Sadly Lew Wasserman passed away with medical complications from a stroke in Beverly Hills in 2002 and was interred in the Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City. Lew Wasserman was honoured posthumously with the 2,349th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the 5th October, 2007. So all in all, this Lew Wasserman special feature is of course a way Universal Pictures feel they want us to know in saying that we are the best and they do indeed present Lew Wasserman as someone who was ahead of his time and helped Universal Pictures legacy carry on into the 21st century and I found this special featurette really interesting. Contributors include: Jon Wilkman [Writer/Producer of “Moguls & Movie Stars”], Steven J. Ross [Author of “Hollywood Left And Right”], Tom Wertheimer [Former Executive VP of MCA], Jeff Pirtle [Director, Archives & Collections of NBCUNIVERSAL], Casey Wasserman [Entertainment Executive], Sid Sheinberg [Former President and COO of MCA/UNIVERSAL], Skip Paul [Former Executive Assistant to Lew Wasserman] and Lew Wasserman [Former President of MCA UNIVERSAL].
Finally, in the film ‘HARVEY’ James Stewart gives a knockout performance in this classic comic fantasy about tipsy Elwood P. Dowd and his unusual friendship with Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall white rabbit. This is superb whimsy about the fine line between sanity and insanity, and Henry Koster directs this loving tribute to eccentricity and bar-room philosophy with a deftly touch. Alongside the misunderstandings, character mix-ups and revitalised clichés that come with poignant comments about humanity and its lack of communication, which touches both the funny bone and the heart. The film guarantees to leave you with a smile on your face for ages after end credits have finished. ‘HARVEY’ is a total classic, plain and simple, especially as in the film it all revolves around a 6 foot and 8 inches tall invisible rabbit, and whether it is real or not, that is for you to judge. Who would have ever thought that a film about a man’s friendship with an invisible animal would not only be entertaining and funny at the same time, but also thoughtful and charming? But that is exactly what the film ‘HARVEY’ achieves. But what a shame that Universal Pictures could not have unearthed a few new extras for this release, but the audio and the image presentation and the film itself are very enjoyable enough to make this film worth adding to your Blu-ray collection. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
